Career Corner: Wandering the web for employment

The Internet is a great way to access advertised jobs in addition to traditional job search methods. Remember that you need to balance searching for advertised jobs with an active approach to networking in the hidden job market if you want to increase the chances of getting the job you want. Use the information listed below in a way that best suits your job search.

1. To conduct an effective job search it is imperative you have a winning resume and covering letter.
Need assistance? Check out the information on how to write resumes and covering letters distributed by Fanshawe's Career Services Office located in Room F2010. Ask to have your resume critiqued by the Career Services Consultant responsible for your program.

2. Formatting a resume for scanning
In order for a resume to be scanned it must be read by Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. Simply convert your resume (and cover letter) from Word or WordPerfect into ASCII or plain text. This makes it readable across all platforms so when you send your resume in text format in the body of your email, your recipient will always be able to read it. Unfortunately, you lose all of the formatting including bold, underlining, graphics, bullets etc.

Need more information? Check out:
- The Online Job Application: Preparing Your Resume for the Internet (Riley Guide) www.rileyguide.com/
- Or try, Preparing the Ideal Scannable Resume www.ti.com/recruit/docs/resume_tips.shtml

3. Research your chosen field.
Develop a list of employers either by location or industry. Use the Internet or go to the library to expand the list. Use directories, professional associations, publications or the newspapers as possible sources.
- Find employers or business related to your field of interest by searching Business, Industry and Association Directories: http://workplace.ca
- The London Economic Development Corporation produces online directories which allow you to search London employers alphabetically, by industry or geographic area: www.ledc.com/businessdirectories/
- Generate lists of businesses/employers by area and/or industry www.yellowpages.sympatico.ca/
- Use Canada 411 from Sympatico to find a business (or person) in Canada through online phone directories http://canada411.sympatico.ca/

4. Narrow down your list.
Focus on only 20 or so employers from your list at one time. Break the task down into smaller ones by not focusing on too many employers at once. Once you have your list, start finding out specific details about the organization.

5. Network to access the Hidden Job Market.
Approximately 80 per cent of jobs never get advertised. Your first step in developing a network to help you in your job search is Information Gathering. This means developing a list of everyone you know including friends, relatives, professors, former employers, fellow classmates, social groups, professional associations etc. Call these people and explain that you're not asking them for a job, but rather gathering information to learn more about a job. Be candid and ask for some advice in your work search.

6. Accessing advertised jobs.
There are a number of sites which post graduate employment opportunities. Fanshawe Career Services posts all jobs directly to www.fanshawec.ca/careerservices where you can access postings listed by discipline or by full time, part time or summer status. You will need your Fanshawe student ID number to view jobs.

Other sites you may wish to visit include:
- Career Edge provides internship opportunities for graduates (www.careeredge.org)
- Classified Extra links you to classifieds of more than 150 Canada Newspapers (www.classifiedextra.ca/)
- London jobs provides a comprehensive listing of job sites and resources for London Job Seekers (http://londonjobs.ca/)
- Monster, provides an online career management and job posting portal for students and graduates (www.monster.ca/)
- WorkopolisCampus, one of the largest Canadian student job search sites. Register using Fanshawe's password for students: ewahs22 (http://campus.workopolis.com/splash1.html)

7. Following up.
Keep track of who you sent your resume to. Contact them approximately four to seven days later and inquire about the status of your application. Offer to answer any questions they may have and express your interest in arranging an interview.

Need help writing your resume or cover letter? Why not drop by the Career Services office located in Room F2010 for a copy of one of our job search booklets which contain helpful hints on creating your resume and conducting a positive job search. The Career Services staff are available to assist you on an individual basis. Visit the office in F2010 to arrange an appointment with the consultant responsible for your program or call 519 452-4294. For Fanshawe student job listings visit www.fanshawec.ca/careerservices.