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Job Boards - Hints and Tips (Candidate Blog)

Job Boards – Hints and Tips

Although Job Boards are not the only tool available for job seekers, they are still very popular and will be the first port of call for many candidates and recruiters a like when looking to fill a new role. It is very easy to register with a job board, quickly upload your details and sit back waiting for a job to appear in your inbox but if you really want success you need to invest a little more time to ensure the job board works harder for you, so you don’t have to!

 

We will detail below a few things for you to think about when using job boards.

 

SEO

You should always be aware that job boards work almost entirely on Search Engine Optimisation in order to match you to suitable roles. They match key words in your CV and profile to those that also appear in job adverts uploaded on the website so they can email you the most relevant jobs. This a highly effective way to ensure that you see as many appropriate roles as possible however it relies solely on you providing the correct key words in order to enable a match.

It is also worth considering that if you choose your CV to be visible on a job board, recruiters and employers can search the database using the same key words which allows them to contact you directly before you have even noticed the advert.

Do some research into the roles you are looking for, find some example job adverts (regardless of location, salary etc) and pull out the most common key words and ensure they are included in your CV and any profile information you are asked to provide on the job board. Along with skills, industry relevant key words and systems, it is also worth including any sectors you have worked in. If a client is looking for an Accountant who has previously worked within Manufacturing this will be the first thing they will search on and it is amazing how many people miss this off their information.

 

Up to date

Because of the way job boards work, it is vital that you keep your CV and profile up to date. Not only does this prevent you receiving calls from recruiters approaching you with irrelevant roles (frustrating for all parties trust me!), it will ensure that you receive the most relevant job adverts sent directly to your email. The things to focus on include whether you are looking for permanent or contract roles, full time or part time, current location and your current job title. These are all fields that you are asked to complete on the job board profile and do not always automatically populate from your CV.

If you are no longer looking for work, put your account on hold and update all of your details as and when you decide to get back onto the market. Alternatively, keep your details active and ensure you log into your account every 6 months or so and update your details – you never know when your perfect role may pop up!

 

Salary expectations

Another factor to keep up to date is your salary expectations. On several job boards you are asked to provide a current salary banding as well as salary expectations for a future role. If you don’t want to put your exact salary most job boards work on salary bandings so it is just a rough guide. Putting false or over ambitious salary expectations down may mean that you do not appear in a recruiters search or they will dismiss you before even picking up the phone.

 

Which job boards?

There are a huge range of job boards available so how do you know which one to use? There is no right or wrong answer here but again it is something that you can spend some time researching to ensure you are on the best site for your industry. Do a google search for the job title you are looking for and see which site has the most available roles. Research each job board and see where you details are displayed as many sites now function across multiple job boards to ensure maximum visibility so a large national site may also control a small niche manufacturing job board.

It can also be based on your personal preference; which is the most user friendly or if your current board is sending you hoards of irrelevant job roles maybe it’s time for a change. Many recruiters now use multiple boards so don’t be afraid to add your details to two or three sites to ensure maximum visibility – be warned though that you may be seeing duplicates of the same role posted on more than one site.

 

Indeed is one of the biggest job boards in the UK right now and it is a great tool for seeing job adverts from multiple sources all in one place. Just a quick warning though as when applying for roles, indeed tend to summarise your CV and there is often information missing. There have been multiple occasions when I have rejected a CV from Indeed then seen the same candidate from a different site where the CV is presented completely differently and may actually be relevant.

 

Where else?

Job boards are not the only way to get your CV seen. Don’t worry I am not suggesting you go old school and start canvassing your printed CV to receptionists, but you can do some work to ensure that your CV gets out there. Make a list of companies who you would like to work for – who are the market leaders in your field? Who do you hear about in the news who excites you and makes you wish you worked there? Have a look on the company websites along with their social media pages, they will often advertise roles on here before going to a wider job boards or agencies. If you have friends who currently work in good companies, make sure they are aware that you are looking as employees will often receive incentives if they successfully recommend a friend for a role.

 

LinkedIn is an essential tool for a job hunter and we will be publishing some hints and tips specifically on how to use this platform to your advantage in our next installation of ‘How to be successful in your job search’.

 

Organise your applications

I regularly speak with candidates who have lost track of roles they have applied for or end up applying to the same job via three different websites. There are now several platforms available that organise your job applications making the whole process easier and more efficient. These sites are associated with several different job boards so you can view and apply to jobs from multiple websites all together. They then store your applications in one place so you can keep track of where your CV has been sent to and they will even follow up your application by sending the employer an email to confirm whether your CV has been shortlisted.

 

Please contact Extension Recruitment on 0191 493 7030 for more information.  

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