I cannot say that one job board is the best, or that we don’t have a single job board where you can get a position at the employer of your choosing. Before starting a job hunt, it is crucial to decide and plan your strategy.
Decide what your top priority is: compensation, location profile or brand. Create a ranking system for yourself.
- Find out your core strengths that will help you match with the type of job that interests.
- You can take the example of a person who is interested in becoming a translator. I could choose to enroll in courses that are recognized for a particular foreign language.
- Your career goal is important.
- Make a resume & cover letter ready. Make sure to highlight your academic achievements and strengths.
- Make sure that your resume can be seen. Do not limit yourself to one portal, but also other platforms.
Instead of 1 Job portal, you can also look at these alternatives
- Most firms offer a careers portal. You can register and upload your resume or cover letter. From this account, you can search for current job openings at the company & apply. Some career portals will send you an email if they find a job that matches your skill set.
- The most common and reliable source for hiring is employee reference. If you have some Friends/Relatives/Batchmates/Seniors who are currently working with the employer of your choice. They can share your resume with the HR representative of their company.
- You can drop off your resume at the workplace.
- You can update your profile or create one on Linkedin. Joining groups will also keep you updated on the latest job openings.
- All your social media accounts should be in sync – i.e. all profiles should have been updated – including Facebook, Linkedin etc.
- Newspapers are not always a great idea, unless they’re specifically for jobs. This is a costly option that most organizations will avoid.
- You can take part in competitions that are organized by different employers, such as Quizzes and Marathons & Trekking.
- You can also join groups based on your profession, such as NHRD for HRs or Young Indians under the CII.
It is important to contact the employer via multiple sources and not just one.
How to apply on the Online Job Portal?
You can apply for all jobs that match your profile at job sites like Naukri.com, Monster.com, Times, etc.
Follow my suggestions below if you have already applied to a job portal online.
1. Upload your resume every day to job sites. Upload the same resume at least twice a day if there are no changes to your resume.
Some websites use the date of uploading your resume as part of their algorithm. This can help your resume to be at the top of their list and your profile to become more visible, giving recruiters a better chance to see your profile.
2. Apply as soon as possible to any job ad. Your application should be in the top 20.
3. Log in to every job site three times per day, morning, noon, and night. Apply for all the jobs that are relevant to you.
4. Check the date posted on job sites. If it’s been a month, then many people have already applied. Let’s say that 1000 people applied. You applied after 30 days and now your resume queue is at 1001.
The recruitment team doesn’t check all of these 1000+ applications to fill just 1 or 2 positions. They may occasionally check, but it’s pure chance or they might use algorithms or online filtering to remove profiles that are not related. If you are the last to apply, your profile will also be ranked the same.
If, for example, HR requires that 300 applicants’ profiles match the total of 1001 applicants, your profile would be the last one if the date you applied is taken into consideration. It is also a major factor in the selection of profiles.
5. After searching for a job, you can filter by POSTED date to get the most recent job postings. You can then apply for those job profiles. Do this three times per day. Do not rely solely on email updates from job portal websites. These are not in real-time, and they may also show older job profiles.
6. Some job websites may display your application number either after you submit the resume or before. You can see how your application is positioned. You are late if your application is backed up. Your chances of getting a job are extremely low. Always apply as soon as possible to have your resume reviewed.
7. It’s not worth it. Don’t pay for resume services.
8. Don’t look for a particular location, industry or job role. If you’re looking for work for a while, accept the first job that comes your way. (or for a short period, depending on your needs).
9. You will get called if you apply three times a day for at least 30 consecutive days. Make sure you are in the top 20 of the list to increase your chances. Contact HR directly if they have provided their mobile number or e-mail in the job postings.
10. Update your resume. You must review all the basics and be prepared for an interview at any moment. Prepare for the interview as soon as you receive the call from the recruitment team. Most people start preparing for the interview after they receive the call or even before the interview. Avoid this common error. Confidence is key.
Online Job Portals
Recruitment is fragmented around the globe. It is because recruiters are looking for the best candidates, no matter where they may be. Recruiters post job openings on different sites. Candidates also want to find jobs that meet their requirements, no matter where they are posted.
You wouldn’t be doing justice by listing down all the websites. Naukri, for example, may not be the ideal place to find an internship or a startup job. Let me list some well-known job sites and divide them into categories.
Pure Play
The traditional job boards post jobs directly from recruiters
Social Network
It’s good for passive candidates. There is currently no competition for LinkedIn. Facebook also works on it.
Niche Job Sites
They are specific to a particular skill set or domain.
These websites allow companies to see the results of candidates’ competitions.
Read more : Negotiating a higher salary: Top tips, What if you’re laid off in 2024? Your career development playbook