Online job-hunting

April 8 2003 - a study of more than 363,000 unemployed workers worldwide by career transition firm DBM reveals that Canadian Internet surfers were four times more successful in finding new jobs than the global average in 2002.

In fact 12% of the 7400 unemployed Canadians studied found new jobs last year through various Internet-based resources. This compares with 3% worldwide and 6% for US respondents. Nevertheless, personal networking is still the best method to find new employment. The study found that worldwide 42% of people found new jobs by networking - and the proportions were higher in the USA (61%) and Canada (68%).

The relative importance of online recruiting methods in Canada probably reflects the high level of Internet penetration across the country. New York-based eMarketer, a leading source of data about internet, e-business and emerging technologies, says there were 14.9 million internet users in Canada in 2002 compared to 152.8 million in the United States. This number is expected to grow to 21.4 million users in Canada by the end of 2004 compared to 174.9 million users in the United States. An eMarketer report titled North America Online: Demographics and Usage, released in February 2003, estimates 7.2 million online households in Canada in 2002 - approximately 60% of all households in the country. Over 63% of households in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario have online access according to eMarketer.

Another survey by COMPAS Inc. found that 47% of Canadian business executives said they used online tools such as company web sites or internet-based recruiting firms to fill employment vacancies last year. Monster.ca, workopolis.ca, hotjobs.ca and careerclick.com were among the best-known online recruiting services in Canada.

DBM's career transition consultants advise their clients to send both printed and e-mail resumes when searching for new employment. They say job candidates should send their resume electronically with an e-cover note and then follow-up with a printed letter and resume.

"Many people think that electronic and printed resumes are different. They should not be. You are merely altering the presentation format of a printed resume for the Internet," says Judith Gelber, Vice-President/Managing Consultant, DBM. "A well-written, well-prepared resume will contain all of the necessary keywords to attract attention whether it is being read by a hiring manager, scanned or searched in a management system or indexed in an Internet site."

Gelber also has some tips for people applying for work over the Internet:

* Just the facts
Be true to your record. You will find more opportunities more closely suited to your background and goals.

* Talk the talk
The correct use of industry or professional terminology will instantly allow the potential employer to understand your background and determine a possible fit quickly and efficiently.

* Timing is everything
Most large job posting sites list resumes chronologically and recruiters often look at the most current postings. It's a good idea to re-post your resume weekly.

* Pick and choose
Be selective about the sites to which you post your resume. Recruiters will not take you seriously if they discover you are indiscriminate about the position you are seeking.

* Highlight key points
For online resumes use asterisks ((*)) or plus signs (+) at the beginning of lines instead of bullets at the beginning of lines. Use a series of dashes to separate sections. Consider using capital letters or asterisks to surround key text instead of using bold face.

* Going public
Once posted, consider your resume a public document and out of your control. Consider renting a post office box and using a specific voice mail account for your search instead of including your home address and phone number on your resume.

* Update or outdate
Some Internet services will allow you to post your resume without cost, but will charge for updates. Look for Internet services that allow an unlimited number of updates.