Both Lois and Peter have been looking at job postings online. Lois spends most of her job search time browsing the big national job boards and applying to whatever sounds interesting, whether or not she's qualified. She figures, it can't hurt to send in her resume – somebody's got to get the job, it might as well be her! Of course, all she's really doing by being indiscriminate is wasting time and clogging up the job board pipeline. The countless hours she spends pointing and clicking could be much better spent by networking, particularly since Lois is interested in a career change.

Peter is more selective when it comes to online job hunting. He doesn't know much about the big job boards, and rarely browses them for jobs. When he does visit them, it's usually to get an idea of what's going on in the marketplace and see who's out there hiring. In fact, a couple of his recruiter contacts were found by browsing the boards. Peter's online job search activities also include going to the websites of companies he's interested in working for, and looking at their career opportunities. He makes it a habit to check out corporate career sites twice a week to see if anything new has been posted.

One good thing that seems to be coming out of Lois' constant job board browsing is that she's learning more about how to use them more effectively. She created a resume specifically for use on job boards, using keywords that enhance the probability of it being viewed. She also created alerts that inform her by email when jobs that match her profile become available.

Peter, on the other hand, stays away from posting his resume online, as he is currently employed. The last thing he wants is for his employer to find out that he's actively looking. He sometimes gets discouraged, as he knows what he's looking for and can't seem to find those opportunities online. His criteria are so strict that he's actually missing out on some potentially great job opportunities online by being too narrowly focused. To his credit, he would rather spend the time networking and talking to a recruiter rather than in front of a computer.

What can we learn from Lois and Peter about using job boards? Here's a summary:

1. Determine which job boards are right for you. Large job boards have a great scope of opportunities in a number of different industries and regions, whereas smaller job boards and association websites are particularly useful if you are looking for work in a niche or more specialized market. Don't forget to consider the corporate career sites of companies that you find interesting.



2. Use them effectively. Online job hunting is handy, but it's also very competitive. Learn the various features they have to help you increase your chances of success, such as filtering your search, setting up alerts, and customizing your resume with keywords. Have realistic expectations, and don't get discouraged if you're not successful right away.



3. Consider whether to post your resume online. Posting your resume online is definitely a smart thing to do if you're actively looking for work. If you're currently employed or otherwise concerned about anonymity, you may want to take certain precautions. For instance, you can use a "confidential job agent" to manage your resume and online applications.



4. Use them as a research tool. Current marketplace trends, such as what companies and what industries are hiring, can be found by browsing job boards. It's also a great way to find recruiters in your field of interest. Don't limit yourself to applying for posted jobs – if you're interested in a company that's hiring, set your networking wheels in motion and see what's available in the hidden job market.



5. Don't rely on job boards alone. Success can be hit and miss on job boards, and even if you are the most qualified person out there, you risk being lost in the shuffle. Don't abandon them altogether, but be sure not to get caught in the job board trap. There's a hidden job market out there where the competition is much less intense.

In our upcoming newsletters, we'll continue to follow Lois and Peter throughout their job search. Maybe you'll recognize yourself in one of them, and maybe you'll learn something along the way. For more tips to help you with your job search, including getting started, download ReadySet HIRED! A Practical Guide to Finding a Job. It's free!