To not know how to job hunt!

[Thegrassroots26]

Just that really. I want to change jobs but not sure how to effectively search online for jobs! Anyone got good advice or tips? Or is it better to go through agencies etc. The internet is supposed to make things easier, but sometimes feels like it does the opposite. See also, online dating.

• Sign up for relevant agencies and alerts.
• have a folder in your mail for this and set up filters so everything lands in ONE place
• is LinkedIn any good for your industry? If so get on there.
• lots of places want you to fill in a form. Write your entire history in a notepad file so you can copy paste with ease
• make a master cv with everything on it. Every time you apply for something, copy the file then delete/target as necessary
• put the word out among friends and family that you're looking

I used an app called Teal when I was job hunting it allows you to list what you’ve applied to, track dates of follow ups, list the skills required. It helped me to keep organised.

I had some great advice from a friend that after you’ve applied for a job you should follow up with a phone call. The agency/organisation then has to find your application and it gets seen. I spoke with an agency who’d had over 200 applications for a role. I hadn’t even been in the running but when she saw my CV she realised I was a good fit and submitted me.

It’s not just a numbers game you have to be proactive.

I’m in a similar boat. Linkedin seems pretty hopeless and Indeed and Total seem too low level. I’m stuck as to where to start looking.

It depends on your field. I'm in IT - LinkedIn and Indeed are good. If I were looking for jobs in education, I'd probably be looking at TES. So industry-specifuc.

Definitely sign up with agencies, but they may well specialise, so you might need to find the right one. My current employer works with an agency that deals with a lot of people with security clearance. Previous employer would only work with 3 particular agencies. Though I found going through the links on job ads were what took me to the agencies, rather than specifically looking for an agency, and then if I didn't get the first i interviewed for, they'd offer me similar vacancies.

Also, if there's a particular organisation you want to work for, look at their website and how to apply for vacancies. If you know anyone who works there, then ask if they would recommend you through "refer a friend," if they have that option. (I would not do this for all my former colleagues, but I have done it for those I'd happily work with again.)