How to Search for a Job Online

It is very hard to be a job seeker right now. Between companies downsizing and older people retiring later in life, there are just too many people applying for the jobs that are out there. If you're searching for a job online, then it's easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of job search websites. Here are some suggestions when searching for a job online.

State job websites are a good place to start. These jobs are guaranteed to be in your state, at least, compared with sites that oft nave jobs from all over the country on them. JobsinME.com and Ohiomeansjobs.com are two examples of this.

You will see the same job on different job search sites. Don't apply more than once, it won't help your chances and it will probably hurt them. Make a list of the jobs you've applied for so you can keep them all organized.

Don't underestimate Craigslist. Yes, you will have to wade through mountains of scams, but local newspapers and online job searches charge so much now that many legitimate employers are turning to this free outlet to post jobs. Make sure you include your local Craigslist in your job search.

Have a great cover letter. The people reading your application will start here, and if you don't wow them, they'll never get any further. A cover letter is an important part of a jobs search. Further, your resume should be in a format that the website or job search engine asks for. If you're applying for a job that requests a .doc, then you had better send one! If you can't follow directions, why would someone hire you?

Tailor your resume. Make sure you focus on the parts of your resume most compatible with the job you're applying for. It's okay to have different resumes for different types of jobs that you are applying for.
Do your research. When you find a job to apply for and it has a company name, check up on that company before you apply. You might not want to in the first place!

Watch out for tricky wording. Many telemarketing jobs will be posted as "Customer Service." Websites like Monster.com are not terribly concerned with whether or not you'll be applying for a sales job when their clients have listed the position incorrectly, so you have to watch out for yourself when searching for a job online.