Looking for a job isn’t as simple as opening your newspaper to the “Help Wanted” section anymore. Most companies do most of their job posting online these days…and if you want the job, you have to know how to play the new job posting game.

It doesn’t really matter which of the job posting sites you rely on – DiversityCareers.ca, Monster, Careerbuilder, Craigslist, Yahoo Jobs, etc – as long as you are aware of what the job posting is really doing. For the most part, it’s a computerized screening service. It’s far less likely that your resume will ever be seen by a real human and far more likely that if your wording doesn’t match the wording of the job posting that you will not make it past the electronic screening process.

That’s right – applying for jobs just became a game in knowing the right keywords. The job posting service or the company itself may be doing the screening, but it’s important to include the right words to get you through to the next level, and that means personalizing your resume so that you are addressing the actual job listed in the job posting and not just sending an identical, generic resume to every company with whom you apply.

Perhaps even more important is the cover letter. Should your resume be one of the few to actually land on a hiring manager’s desk from a job posting, a cover letter that speaks may be the only thing that ensures you a live interview. Your cover letter should specifically respond to the needs specified in the job posting; it should be, if possible, addressed to the appropriate contact person listed in the job posting, and it should clearly highlight your specific experience skills that pertain to the needs listed in the job posting.

Some job posting sites require you to build a profile and be a member. While you don’t have to pay for membership to get results, it’s a good idea to complete your profile and upload your resume on the job posting website such as DiversityCareers.ca - Not only will that allow potential employers access to your information, but some employers might be looking for specific skills you have listed and come to you. So, ensure to update your profile every now and then.

No matter what job posting site you choose, be sure you take the time to personalize your cover letter and resume. Have references handy as well. Read the job posting carefully to make sure you follow instructions. Good luck!

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 3rd, 2008 at 9:04 am and is filed under Job Posting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.