Black Collegian Career Center

Only a few years ago, the Internet was a buzzword that only the really computer literate had an interest in or access to. Now the Internet is everywhere and its impact has changed the way we do everything, including looking for employment. For the college student, the Internet has allowed for unlimited access to job opportunities and contact with companies that was never heard of before. Yet, with this technology, there are some new concerns that become important when looking at this entity we call the World Wide Web.

 Beginning a Job Search

We all know that the job search process usually means creating a resume, looking for jobs and then submitting that resume with the hopes of getting a “bite.” The Internet now allows you to post your resume on hundreds, if not thousands of Web sites across the world with hopes of getting, not just one, but several “bites.” This new method of job searching still shouldn’t replace some vital steps in developing skills necessary to be competitive in the job market. The skills and abilities learned throughout your college career will be necessary to be competent, however, your job search skills should also be top notch to land that winning job. Employers expect and demand not only that you have the necessary college degree they seek to meet the expectations of the job, but they also expect that you have knowledge about all aspects of the job search process… especially Internet job searching.

Resume Preparation

In the not too “old” days, a laser printed resume would sometimes head to the top of the stack on an employer’s desk because it appeared to be more neat and professional than a typewritten one. Even if the laser printed resume was not as well organized, it still showed that the job seeker had put in the extra effort. Now just about everyone has access to a laser printer, so it is important, more than ever, to focus on the content and organization of the resume. Many job seekers believe they are taking the easy way out by using prepared resume templates that come with most word processing programs, however, this is frowned on by many recruiters. Those employers that hire mainly college graduates see thousands of resume templates a year and they all look the same. Most are very recognizable based on type selection and format. That fact alone means that any job seeker needs to stay away from them. For many employers, the resume templates become a burden because they are not scanned or faxed easily.  Remember that technology has changed all parts of the job search process. This technology also plays a part in paper selection when creating a resume. At one point it was understood that if you printed your resume on 25% cotton bond paper you were a true professional; not anymore. With resumes being faxed to employers, scanned and then e-mailed or created online, and then posted to a job board, the paper that the resume actually gets printed on is only as good as what the employers have in their machines.

Job Searching

The standard in job searching is power; Internet power to be more exact. The subsequent rise of the World Wide Web has cast off the classified section in the newspaper as the job search tool of choice. Many employers are investing lots of money into job search sites that will yield the best results. These sites are targeted to a more well-defined audience and employers are taking notice. Sites such as iMinorities.com. black-collegian.com, and IMDiversity.com are able to provide a great way for African-American and other minority job seekers, not only to post their resumes, but also interact with employers as they participate in “virtual job fairs.” This method of job searching is far superior to the “shot in the dark” approach that was the standard of job-hunting in the past. Even though this new method of job searching provides more access to employers, there still are some security issues that every job seeker should be aware of:

1.      Date your resume when you submit it to a Web site. You wouldn’t want it circulating back to your boss a year after you are hired.

2.      Place a statement in an e-mail attachment or at the bottom of your resume that forbids unauthorized use by headhunters and individuals other than the intended recipient.

3.      If you are posting to a company Web site, call ahead to make sure that they are the only people that look at the resumes. Many companies “farm” out their extras to headhunters or other companies, which may not fit your current career goals.

4.      Try to create an electronic resume using a functional resume format. This will highlight your skills and abilities instead of focusing on your employers.

5.      Utilize your Career Services Office at your university for more discrete resume postings. Most offices will refer your resume automatically to employers who meet your career goals. 

If you keep those points in mind, then your online job search shouldn’t be a problem for you down the road.

Getting in the Door

The number one nugget of knowledge that most career professionals will share with you is that “resumes get interviews and interviews get you the job.” This is so very important in any form of job selection. Even if the interview is done online or through the use of video-conferencing, there is still a level of face-to-face (or face-to-monitor) interaction. Some employers are now going a step further by using the Internet to identify their interview candidates. Companies such as PricewaterhouseCoopers and Enterprise Rent-A-Car are asking that potential college recruits either complete an online interest evaluation or investigate the company in detail before arriving for the interview. For recruiters, this allows for more targeted interviews without wasting time explaining the company and what persons would do once they are hired. For job seekers, viewing company Web sites prepare them to ask more specific questions while interviewing. Job seekers who are not Internet savvy should at least be aware of some of the basics involved in surfing the Web. It is obvious by the growth of this form of communication that Web-based company research will be vital to the success of potential applicants. 

Making the Human Connection

Electronic communication in all of its forms including Internet, e-mail, faxing and chat rooms have made an impact on the speed at which employers and job seekers can interact. But for many job seekers, the assumption is that the speed and ease of using the Internet will make up for any mistakes committed during the job search process. This means that potential graduates should use a combination of methods to get the best results out of their job search. These include: 

1.      Plan ahead. Your job search (even using the Internet) should start at least a year before you graduate. Also don’t hang all your hope on job search Web sites. Remember these sites get thousands of resumes a month.

2.      Utilize the Career Services Office at your university and tap their resources for the “human” side of job searching. The Web sites are great for posting jobs, but they can’t do a mock interview with you or have a one-on-one session about your career goals.

3.      Identify Web sites that show some level of understanding of you and your career goals. For example, if you are an accounting major, then see what sites come up in a search using the search terms – “accounting jobs.”

4.      Participate on sites such as IMDiversity.com that will actually e-mail job postings to you that match your career goals.

5.      Practice your interview skills and polish up your resume before you enter the job search process. Even if the job is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, make sure your skills are sharp before you start the process. 

It is clear that technology will be around for a long time. It is also evident that as a college graduate in the year 2000 and beyond, there is a certain level of technological understanding that employers will expect you to have. Look for employers to base more and more of their recruiting and hiring process around the Internet. This means that well-informed job seekers will use as many tools as possible to be effective and successful. Though technology may be moving your job search along, you still need to be the one steering the car.

Leonard A. Williams is the assistant director of the Office of Career Placement and Cooperative Education, University of New Orleans.