Your guide to Job Seeking Websites
Gone are the days of printing out your CV and handing it out to employers. There are times when you can still do this, for example, at career fairs and company events. However, the majority of job seeking is now done online. In some ways, this can be easier. Everything is done in one place; you can do it from the comfort of your own home and even whilst at work if you’ve got the spare time.
Job seeking sites can feel intimidating at first. The jobs are there, but you have to fill in the correct information to get the right jobs to show up for you. When you don’t know exactly what job title you want, or if a role can have various titles, it can be exhausting trying to find the right words to use when searching on a job site.
This guide is all about sharing our tips and ideas on how to use a job seeking site correctly and using it to your advantage. All of the information is there, you just have to learn how to find it!
There are plenty of job boards out there to choose from, you just have to pick the right ones for you. There are job boards like E&TJ that specify in industry specific jobs, for an engineer, this would be perfect. This means that the jobs you are looking for are all in engineering, however, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you don’t have to do any search modifications.
Then there are more generic job boards, like Indeed and Reed. (Plus, many more) Job sites like this are paid to upload and advertise jobs from all different industries, sectors, job levels and even other job boards. It might take you a little longer to find the jobs you are looking for on sites like these, but this guide is going to help you through that.
You don’t have to pick just one. You can work your way through a number of job boards to make the most of it. Some employers advertise across a number of job sites and others stick to just one. So, it can really be worth it to explore other sites, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone.
There is a method to making your way around a job board and we are going to explain it all. To start, it’s worth having a little look around the different sites. See which ones may work for you, what resources they offer job seekers and how they can help you find your next role.
Job sites are there to make your life easier. Job seeking sites have a large number of vacant jobs from multiple employers, ready and waiting in the same place for you to view. You don’t have to search far and wide for them, but there are resources you can and should be using to ensure you are making it easier on yourself.
Job Alerts – Job alerts allow you to get regular emails about jobs that are relevant to you, without having to search through the actual website to find them. Most job boards will have this resource available, and I highly recommend using it. You are likely to have to fill out a quick form to let the search engine know what you are looking for. You’ll have to provide your email address, keywords related to the job title you would like, location, industry and potentially more details if it is very thorough. Some job boards give you the option or daily or weekly alerts, so make sure you pick what is right for you. This is a great way to get a hold of jobs that you may have missed whilst scrolling through!
Use keywords wisely – Usually, the first thing you will do when logging into a jobs board, is to search the job title you are looking for. However, there is usually more than one specific title for a job, so ensure you are using keywords correctly. Have you used every title you could think of that relates to you? You could be missing out by only trying on job title.
Share your location – Location can be important. If you would like something close to home, always enter in your current location to avoid disappointment. The worst thing can be forgetting to add location, finding a job that you love the sound of and finding out it’s hours away from you. (Unless you want to relocate) Something that has also been added lately, is the option to add ‘remote’ to your search to find employers that offer remote working. Something to consider if you find a role with a lengthy commute.
Geo-range – You can also add in a geographical range when searching. If you put in your location or somewhere close to where you live, you can specify how far you are willing to travel before searching. Whether that be 15, 20 or even 30 miles, you can use this tool to really narrow down your search and ensure you are finding jobs that are close to home.
Salary – Salary can be more important to some than others, so if this is something that can make or break a job opportunity for you, make sure you include this before clicking the search button. It can also rule out any roles without salary included in the job description, so be aware of this before using.
Job type & Sector – Job sites really do try and make it as easy as possible for their users. So, make sure to use the job type and sector selection tools. What level of expertise are you looking for? Which engineering sector do you want to work in? Questions you probably know the answer to, so use this tool!
Save your jobs – Job applications can take a really long time to perfect, so if you have either done one too many or you are taking a day off from applications, you can still look on job sites and find potential jobs. If you don’t want to apply straight away or you need time to think about it, save the job and go back to it later. We all know the pain of finding a role you like the look of and not being able to find it again at a later date. Save them in your account and you can apply for then whenever suits you best. Just remember to check the application deadline date!
Uploading your CV to a job board can be a positive or a negative, but something you should definitely think about using. If you are someone that doesn’t feel the need to tailor your CV and cover letter to each role, then it can save you a lot of time by uploading a CV to the site and using ‘quick apply’ if the employer allows it. Always make sure that the CV is up to date and ready before sending it off to any potential employer.
When uploading your CV on to job sites, it often gives you the option to opt in or out of recruiters being able to find your CV. If you don’t want to use recruiters in your job search, then the answer is easy, but if you do, click yes, and wait to see if anyone finds you or takes interest in your CV. Recruiters can help you find roles you may not have found otherwise, so keep this in mind.
When uploading your CV, most recruitment sites give you the opportunity to share a link to your LinkedIn page as well. This gives employers and recruiters the ability to find you on the site and see your LinkedIn ‘CV’. A lot of employers are interested in seeing your online presence as well as your CV.
If you prefer to tailor your CV for each role you apply for, then uploading your CV to these sites may not always be a good thing. They can be useful if you’re open to recruiters finding you, but if you forget and send it off as part of an application, then you could find yourself feeling a bit regretful. It can be a very good resource to use, but make sure you use it properly and remember to change it if necessary! – Some job boards allow you to have more than one uploaded, so name them appropriately.
You can find more advice on CV’s here:
- Correct use of language on your CV
- How to re-purpose your CV for a different sector
- How to write a personal statement for your first engineering CV
- How to write a CV for a remote working job
- Why you can never get the perfect CV
When using job boards, it’s important to make a note of which jobs you have applied for. Some employers are likely to use multiple job boards to ensure that they are reaching the most engineers they can. The more they share, the quicker they may be able to fill the position.
So, if you are using job boards, LinkedIn and company sites to search for jobs, make sure you haven’t already applied for it somewhere else. I like to note down the company, the job title and even the closing date. This is to ensure you have all the details and saves you from submitting 2 applications. Applications can take long enough as it is, you don’t want to be wasting time. It can also look unprofessional, so ensure you are taking precautions.
It’s also a good idea to keep note of different jobs if you are applying for multiple at once, so you don’t get confused if an employer calls you. It can be hard to keep track of everything, after all, you are only human. So, if you get a call or an email from an employer or recruiter about an interview, it’s easy to find the details of the job in which they are referring to.
Career advice is there to help you, so use this tool that job boards give you for free! It is not just for beginners and there usually is something for every step of your job search. Whether you need help with your CV, your cover letter, preparing for interview questions or even learning more about how social network can aid your search. Job boards usually have categories, to make it easier to find what you are looking for.
Whether you are looking for your first engineering role, you’re looking for a career change or you are simply searching for the next step, we can provide insight into interview techniques, where to look for your next job and whether certain job seeking steps are right for you. We offer a wide range of tips, advice and information on the career lifecycle. However, career advice needs to be tailored to you. You know what your goals are, so search for what you need and ensure that you are doing what is best for you and your job search. E&TJ offers a wide range of career advice, see below for our categories. Click the one you need right now and find the right article for you!
- Early Careers
- CV and Cover Letter Advice
- Interview Advice
- Covid-19 Job Seeking
- Personality Series
- Employers
- How I got here articles
- Social Networking
We take our phones everywhere. So, when you find you have some spare time on your commute or if you have some time whilst waiting for someone to arrive, it can be handy to have job sites downloaded onto your phone, or any other portable device.
I don’t recommend applying for jobs when you have a little extra time, unless it is a ‘quick apply’ role, then applications take time and energy that you might not have time for in the moment. However, using the ‘save job’ resource can come in handy. Scroll for jobs, check the description, salary etc. and if it looks like something you would like, save it for later. You can do this in times where you would be scrolling through social media anyway.
You do need to give yourself a break though. If you find that having this on your phone causes a need to always check it, then it might not be for you. You need time where you don’t think about your job search and give yourself room to breathe. Think about it, try it out and it might be for you!
Job seeking sites are there to help you. In some cases, they do make it easier to look for jobs and are definitely the way forward. Gone are the days where you could walk in somewhere with your CV or email a company directly about vacancies and get a reply. Online searching is the way forward and job sites try to give you all the tools you need to be successful, so give it a go. If you use everything given to you, you might have your next role in no time!