Use social networks | Scott Steinberg | e.g. customer service representative | director marketing

Job-hunting Online?

Get hired with these simple tricks.

USE KEYWORDS
With most résumé-review processes now automated, it’s vital that you employ simple, search-friendly terms (e.g. customer service representative or marketing director) throughout. Hint: These can typically be filched right from the job description itself.

CUSTOMIZE SUBMISSIONS
One size does not fit all. Every cover letter and résumé should be tailored to fit the potential employer and position, mixing and matching the traits and skills that clearly communicate why you’re the best person for the job.

FOCUS YOUR EFFORTS
Professional recruiters and sites like Monster or CareerBuilder can help, but you’ll often get further by picking five to 10 dream companies to concentrate on. Don’t just sign up for e-mails on job updates either; research these firms online and find ways -- personal blogs, official newsgroups, etc. -- to connect with employees and let them know you’re interested/available.

STAY VISIBLE
Use social networks to source endorsements from colleagues, to make business connections, to establish your expert credentials, and to let others know you’re looking. Informational interviews -- asking someone in a desired position to describe the day-to-day ins and outs of their job -- can also be hugely effective and (most importantly) make you hard to forget.

*Note from the editors: More than one billion people have tapped author, entrepreneur, and TV/radio host Scott Steinberg’s (www.scottsteinberg.com) expertise on careers and technology. Remember what he said about staying visible and standing out? Then maybe you should take a second look.