Structuring Your Job Search: 5 Actionable Steps to Finding a Job Online
The best way to find a job online is to be intentional with your search, structure your days properly, and apply the correct way.
If you are looking for an easy way to find a job, there isn’t one. Looking for a new job can often be overwhelming when thinking about all the steps that need to be completed.
You have to search for jobs, find the right postings, create your resume, prepare for interviews, follow up when you don't hear anything, and 20 other steps that all take time and energy.
Finding a job is tiring.
In this article, I walk you through how to structure your job search in order to quickly find the jobs you are targeting online.
Note: This blog is meant to serve as a general guideline. The most important thing is to find a process that works for you and stick with it.
1. Be Specific In Your Search
I am going to help you break up your process into small actionable steps. It starts with being specific with what you are looking for.
If you're not specific, then you'll basically be looking for needles in a haystack.
I recommend categorizing your search into four buckets.
What titles are you targeting
What industries are you targeting
What companies are you targeting
What duties will you be performing
If you don't have an answer or specifics for each bucket, that's okay! Most people are in the same situation as you.
Start with what you know and write it down.
Download the job requirements file here.
If you're having trouble figuring out what you want, then start with what you DON'T want. This will help you quickly remove the options that will not be a good fit.
Once you have your list written, these words will act as your search terms when looking for positions online.
2. Use Online Tools and Job Boards
Online job boards, like LinkedIn Jobs or Indeed, are going to be the starting point for your online job search. These job boards have hundreds of thousands of job postings and are updated frequently.
Some of the most popular sites are:
There are many job boards that you can use. Some of which are specific to industry or type of company. For example, AngelList is focused solely on startups.
Note: I recommend setting up your job search on multiple job boards to cover a wider selection of job posting.
Once you choose the job boards that are best for you, you’ll start to create your respective accounts.
During account creation, be sure to be as specific as possible so the platform can surface the most relevant jobs for you.
3. Enable Job Alerts
Almost every job search board lets you create job posting alerts. The alerts will surface positions for you that match the specific search parameters you have entered.
Instead of scrolling down lists for hours on end, let the job board do the heavy lifting.
You'll be able to shift your focus to other important tasks, like applying and networking. The more targeted you are, the better the job alerts will be.
4. Picking the Right Jobs to Apply to
Now that you are receiving a steady stream of job listings, it's time to structure your search to be as efficient as possible.
To give yourself the best chances of getting an interview, you'll want to tailor your resume specifically to each job posting.
This can be incredibly time consuming, and realistically, you'll want to prioritize certain jobs over others.
So you'll want to categorize your job search into three different categories:
Jobs you are excited about
These are your dream jobs and will be the place where you will put most of your energy.
Jobs you would accept but aren't crazy about
These jobs would be nice to have, and it would be a good career move. They aren't your number 1 choice though.
Stretch jobs
These jobs are the ones that you may not be qualified for but know that you can adequately perform.
You'll now be able to better allocate your time to the positions that matter most.
Note: These categories can overlap. You can be excited about a stretch job and that shouldn't stop you from putting in the work to apply.
5. Prepare Your Application and Apply
You'll want to spend the most time with jobs you are excited about. The steps that you should take with each of these jobs are:
Research their website, social media accounts, and WHY they do what they do
Break down the job posting for keywords and phrases
Update your resume with keywords and phrases from step 2.
Use LinkedIn to find 2-4 people to network with. Send them a connection request. Connect with them.
Target titles like: Recruiter, Hiring Manager, <position title> + manager (example: <Marketing Operations> Manager)
Reach out to the 2-4 people that you sourced in step 4.
If you ask for advice you get a job, if you ask for a job you get advice.
Ask them a question that you cannot find via an online search.
Set reminders to follow up if you haven't heard anything back after 2-3 days
Apply for the job
These are the basic things you should be doing for each job to set yourself apart from the competition.
I’m writing a blog post that details how to do each step. Sign up to get an update once it’s released.
Try to follow the same steps when applying to the jobs you would be okay with/your stretch jobs.
If you need to cut corners (I don't recommend this, but I am also being realistic), here's an abridged format
Breakdown the job posting for keywords and phrases
Update your resume to include these keywords and phrases.
Use LinkedIn to find 1-2 people to network with. Connect with them.
Apply for the job and reach out to the 1-2 people you sourced from LinkedIn
Set reminders to follow up if you haven't heard anything back after 2-3 days.
Iterate On Your Process
It's incredibly important to be data driven. When you receive a response, analyze and ask yourself "What made them respond to me?"
If you aren't receiving responses, analyze what you are doing and make changes. This should be an iterative process.
I also recommend actively soliciting feedback. A majority of people will not provide feedback, but it never hurts to ask. The feedback you do receive will be invaluable information to help you better optimize your process.
Thanks for reading this post, and I hope you will take what you learned and apply it. Let me know that has worked/what hasn’t worked for you.
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Adam Berguem | Author
Text #career to 760-239-0640 to contact me directly to ask questions, receive occasional tips, and to stay get updates on the next blog post.
Quentin Dowdle | Editor
Quentin is a sales rep by day and a freelance editor by night. He can be reached at dowdlequentin77@gmail.com