Job Hunting in the Internet Age
New times call for new methods, including video with your résumé.
The last time Phylise Banner looked for a job, she used a headhunter. But as someone who designs online distance-learning programs for a living, she knows the world has changed since she last pounded the pavement.
Row 0 - Cell 0 | How Sharp Are Your Job-Hunting Skills? |
Row 1 - Cell 0 | Why Networking is Overrated |
Row 2 - Cell 0 | Undercover Job Hunting |
"This is a different type of search," says Banner. "I'm trying to create my own online agency to promote myself."
Banner maintains a profile on several social-networking sites, including MySpace, Facebook and LinkedIn. She also uses Plaxo, an online address book that, like rival Twitter, can broadcast her job-seeking status to anyone keeping up with her comings and goings.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Banner is ahead of a big curve. "Job seekers today don't realize the extent to which social networks are the tool to reach someone inside the corporation you've targeted," says Gerry Crispin, a corporate-recruiting consultant at CareerXroads. That's a crucial connection, considering that one-third of outside hires come from employee referrals.
On her Web site, Banner has posted the full text of her résumé, seeded with key words she's researched on Google (click on "Get keyword ideas" at www.adwords.google.com), the better to turn up in an employer's search. Visit VisualCv.com to create a multimedia résumé.
Time is still of the essence in a job search -- it just moves quicker these days. Be among the first to know when a job opens up by setting up automatic searches on sites such as SimplyHired or Indeed. They'll troll other sites, then send alerts to your e-mail address, or via RSS feed to your social-network page or Web home page.
To continue reading this article
please register for free
This is different from signing in to your print subscription
Why am I seeing this? Find out more here
Anne Kates Smith brings Wall Street to Main Street, with decades of experience covering investments and personal finance for real people trying to navigate fast-changing markets, preserve financial security or plan for the future. She oversees the magazine's investing coverage, authors Kiplinger’s biannual stock-market outlooks and writes the "Your Mind and Your Money" column, a take on behavioral finance and how investors can get out of their own way. Smith began her journalism career as a writer and columnist for USA Today. Prior to joining Kiplinger, she was a senior editor at U.S. News & World Report and a contributing columnist for TheStreet. Smith is a graduate of St. John's College in Annapolis, Md., the third-oldest college in America.
-
403(b) Contribution Limits for 2024
retirement plans Teachers and nonprofit workers can contribute more to a 403(b) retirement plan in 2024 than they could in 2023.
By Jackie Stewart Published
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2024
Roth IRAs Roth IRA contribution limits have gone up for 2024. Here's what you need to know.
By Jackie Stewart Published
-
Best Foreclosure Sites for Finding Properties
Making Your Money Last Wondering how to find foreclosed homes for sale for your next residence or to flip for a profit? These websites will guide you to foreclosures and real estate-owned properties to buy.
By Bob Niedt Last updated
-
Four Tips for Renting Out Your Home on Airbnb
real estate Here's what you should know before listing your home on Airbnb.
By Miriam Cross Published
-
Five Ways to a Cheap Last-Minute Vacation
Travel It is possible to pull off a cheap last-minute vacation. Here are some tips to make it happen.
By Vaishali Varu Last updated
-
How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?
insurance Instead of relying on rules of thumb, you’re better off taking a systematic approach to figuring your life-insurance needs.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
-
When Is Amazon Prime Day?
Amazon Prime In 2023 Amazon had two Prime Day events — one in July and another, called Big Deal Days, in October. We expect 2024 to follow the same schedule.
By Bob Niedt Last updated
-
How to Shop for Life Insurance in 3 Easy Steps
insurance Shopping for life insurance? You may be able to estimate how much you need online, but that's just the start of your search.
By Kaitlin Pitsker Published