Job search websites
How to use these for career research

Job search websites and job search engines can be exceptionally helpful to you in a variety of ways.

An obvious way to use these types of sites is, of course, for finding a job listing that closely matches your new job or career change goals.

Another important use of job search websites is that they can assist you with career research, and the preparation of your targeted resume.

Some people however may not be using these important resources to assist them in making career choices.

So some key questions are:

• Where do you look?
• What are you looking for?
• How to use this information to assist in career research and for making career choices?

Job search websites and career research

Employment advertising costs the employer money.

So, you won't be surprised to learn that many employers will have a job listing in areas and in media that are targeted to the audience they are trying to reach.

You can use this to your advantage. How? You can begin by taking a high level overview of the employment market in your career research by identifying the various categories or niches under which jobs are listed.

The next step in your career research would be to take a deeper look at the types of jobs listed in categories which interest you.....taking particular note of the required skills and experience in the jobs listed in the category.

Job search websites - where to look

Following is a summary of places where you'll find job ads - most of which you'll already be familiar with.

Newspapers

Newspapers are, of course a traditional source of job ads, so.......which papers should you check? You will probably be aware that many online editions will also have job advertisements.

Well....it depends on your career planning.

Where in your country, or internationally do you want to work? Employers will place their job ads in newspapers that are local to the area where the employment vacancy exists.

For executive roles, employers might want reach a wider target audience. They will use the largest state based, or even national newspapers so that they attract applications from the largest possible talent pool.

There will also be specialty newspapers that target readers who have particular fields of interest - for example the Wall Street Journal caters to people who work in, or are interested in the field of finance and money.

Here are links to directories where you can find newspapers in locations where you'd like to work:

• US newspaper directory - listed by state
• International directory of on-line newspapers, many with job ads
• Top US job site - Career Builder - over 130 U.S. papers use Career Builder as their on-line jobs advertiser
• Canadian newspaper directory
• Australian newspaper directory
• UK newspaper directory

Most newspapers today duplicate the job listing in the classified section of their paper with online ads. The online ads will either be in the online version of their paper, and/or an affiliated jobs board.

Which job search engines should you use?

You may already realise that there are specialty job search engines.

Research and find job search engines that are closely related to your area of professional specialisation or career interest.

This is what targeted job search is all about.

Four types of job search websites

When you are trying to find the most appropriate job search websites to use you'll find that there are basically four types:

Mega boards - these are usually national in scope and have literally thousands of job ads for all types of occupations, and at all levels of seniority. Sites include Monster.com, and SEEK.com in the U.K. and Australia.

Specific to particular geographic regions - either within your own country, or to particular regions or countries around the globe. This site, an international directory, has links to jobs boards in many countries; here's another.

Specific to an industry or profession - It is also relatively easy to identify job search engines according to occupation or specialisation.

Again a google search will assist you here -here's an example.

Company or organisation specific websites - obviously many organisations advertise on their own websites about careers and employment opportunities.

If you've done as suggested in career choices you would have developed a written list of career goals.

This would include a targeted list of employers you'd like to work for. You can then regularly visit your employer of choice websites to check out job vacancies.

Job search websites and engines
Other countries

Here are some links to job search websites and job search engines in other countries:

• U.S.A - this is the directory that google produces for the U.S.
• U.K. - a comprehensive and well categorised directory
• Canada - another comprehensive directory of job search websites
• Australia - a comprehensive directory put together by the Australian Government

Job search websites
Other job search engines

Many professional associations and special interest groups will have a job listing service or job search engine on their websites.

Because you've done your career planning and have identified your career options.... and.... have a better understanding of how to choose a career direction you are embarking on a highly targeted job search.

Therefore you'll want to add the websites of professional associations that are relevant to your career goals to your favourites list as a means of doing your career research or as a career opportunity finder.

Don't know which professional association is linked to your career? Here are some links to directories of professional associations:

• This is a list of 2081 associations - U.S. based, some international
• Weddle's Association Directory - U.S. and international
• Professional Associations in the U.K.
• Professional Associations in Canada
• Professional Associations in Australia

Other ways to find employment opportunities

The focus of this page has been on where to look for advertised employment on job search websites and job search engines.

But, did you know that the job advertisements you are seeing are only a small proportion of the work that is likely to be available. Many jobs are never advertised - they are basically hidden!.

How do you find out about these hidden jobs - you'd better look here!