Tips for Job Searching Where Employers are Recruiting

Businessman at desk with laptop on target
Peter Scholey / Getty Images

It's always good to take a look at job searching from the employer side of the coin. It's important to know where companies are posting jobs and how they are recruiting on and off the job boards.

If you're aware of where companies are seeking applicants, you can position yourself to increase your chances of getting found by hiring managers. It makes sense to be sure you're focusing your efforts on the same job sites that companies are using to recruit.

Use Niche and Local Job Boards

Many companies are using niche job boards that focus on an industry or local job sites that focus on a specific geographic location.

There are a couple of reasons why hiring managers target their recruiting efforts. First of all, there will be fewer applicants, which is a plus when companies are getting hundreds, or even thousands, of resumes for each job they post on a general job board. In addition, those candidates are typically more focused, because they are job searching on a niche site relevant to their skills.

From the location perspective, it's easier and less expensive to interview and hire local candidates. Posting on a local job board is more likely to get the employer local candidates.

Use this to your advantage and spend some time using niche job sites in your career field or industry and the local job sites in the area where you want to work.

Get Your Resume Noticed

More and more companies, of all sizes, are using talent management technology to screen applicants, to help narrow the applicant pool and find the best candidates for open positions.

You can take advantage of the trend and target your resume to make it more competitive.

Brian Platz, executive vice president and chief operating officer of SilkRoad technology, says, "Prioritize content so that your most important and relevant experience is listed first, with key accomplishments listed at the top." Take a look at your resume, then at job postings that match your interests. Using keywords from the job descriptions on your resume will increase the chance of the talent management software finding your resume as a match for a job.

Platz suggests that job seekers "Make sure that these keywords reference specific job requirements: mention specific skill sets, software and technology competencies, previous employers, and relevant credentials."

Use Professional Networking Sites

LinkedIn is at the top of the networking site list for many companies who are recruiting, both because you get a higher level of qualified applicants than if you posted on a generic job board, and because of the built-in reference system.

Kay Luo, former Senior Director of Corporate Communications at LinkedIn, explains why: "The main reason that companies are using LinkedIn is to find passive job candidates. Another reason why companies are using LinkedIn, is because referrals from their employees are highly valued because they typically have a higher success rate. LinkedIn helps companies leverage the networks of their employees."

Here's how employers use LinkedIn to recruit and how you can optimize your LinkedIn profile so companies can find you.

Use Company Websites

Some companies that are hiring are cutting back on online recruiting, so be sure to check directly on company websites for job postings. You can go directly to the source and search for and apply for jobs online directly. You'll find job postings that may not be listed elsewhere. At most company sites, you can apply for all level positions online—from part-time hourly jobs to top management positions.

Job site Getwork, by the way, is a good way to search directly for job postings directly from company sites.

Given that the job market is so competitive, it's important to cover all the bases when you're job searching. It can be easier to just post your resume on a job board and wait for companies to contact you, but that contact may not happen.

It's better to take the extra time to be proactive and to ensure that you're making every effort to look for jobs in all the right places. It'll pay off in the long run, even though you have to spend time upfront searching and applying for jobs.