THE JOB SEKER WHO FAILS to make use of the Internet's most popular job boards and niche sites is doing her job search a major disservice. These Internet resources have become a major source of recruiting for almost all employers. A job board is a website that lists job postings by employers and resumes offered by job seekers. Although each site has different methodologies, both the employer and the candidate can identify good prospects based on their needs. Some job boards are generic and offer a wide range of employment opportunities by industry, job title, location, and earnings. At the time of this writing, the three most popular general job board giants are: www.monster.com, www.careerbuilder.com, and www.hotjobs.yahoo.com. You can visit www.weddles.com/awards/index.htm for a list of the User's Choice Awards for the best job boards.
Many job seekers choose to set up a search agent at the boards, which means they are regularly e-mailed openings that match a specific criteria according to parameters they set up for themselves. If you see a position that appeals to you, click the link that allows you to reply to the opening and send your resume. Do not rely on the job board or the employer to find you on the site, even if you have a resume posted there. Be proactive and go after the openings that seem the best match for your skills and career goals.
Niche sites are exactly as they sound and are typically sites that are devoted to a specific industry, earning capacity, or geographic region. Some popular niche sites include: www.absolutelyhealthcare.com, www.allretailjobs.com, www.jobs4hr.com, and www.talentzoo.com, which is for advertising and media professionals. If you want to make your job search more focused, you might find greater success with the niche boards.