If you haven’t gotten the results you wanted from searching for a job online, it may be because of the method you used. Searching by keyword or by industry doesn’t always get you the predicted results because the same job in different industries can be listed under different titles. That means that when you search for a specific title, you can be eliminating a variety of jobs that are available and are just what you are searching for.
Another reason that this type of search may not be the best approach is that different companies use their own type of software so that you don’t get an entire listing that is based on the same criteria. This can make it confusing to decide the best strategy for doing an online job search that will get you optimum results.
Consider Your Keywords Carefully
Most people who are conducting an online job search restrict the keywords to the title of the position they are searching for. Instead, make up a list of keywords that refer to the specific skills you have that relate to the job you want. You should also consider the specific functions that will be associated with that job and use these in your keyword list as well.
If you are really great with computers but want to stick with a more clerical position, you might use a list of keywords such as:
· Data entry
· Bookkeeping
· Insurance claims
· Filing
· Telephone switchboard
There are different titles including office assistant, secretary, clerical work, etc. that all have to do with office duties. Using the specific skills that you are qualified in doing and have an interest in performing will let you find those positions under all titles that match your criteria.
Boolean Searches Refine Your Results
Using a Boolean search instead of a regular search just means using symbols in combination with your keywords to ensure that the entire phrase is included or that certain criteria are added or left out. For instance “insurance claims” will only bring up the matches for both words in the phrase and not those that pertain only to insurance.
In addition, adding a plus or minus sign to your keywords can make a difference in the results. “Data entry” + “telephone switchboard” will bring you the job descriptions that include both of these options whereas “Data entry” - bookkeeping will only bring up those options that don’t include bookkeeping as part of the requirements.
Using a Boolean search will give you the option of searching for the root word that is included in a variety of descriptions. Just type in the root word and an asterisk after it and all forms of the word will be included.
Advanced Searches also Offer Advantages
Start with a broad search of your criteria to give you an idea of what specifics are associated with it. Then you can do an advanced search to further refine your options. While you know that you want to perform clerical duties in an office situation, you can narrow down your choices to the types of offices there are offering these jobs and which ones are more likely to provide you with the criteria you want.
Author Resource:
Bela K. is a job and employer writer and frequent contributor to http://2-ct.com and http://ctwebguy.com.
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