by Lyndsey Dyson

Created on: August 09, 2010

Craigslist.com is beginning the virtual revolution of classified ads. For no fee at all, it allows users to post anything: selling cars or concert tickets, advertising for room mates, even help wanted ads. It is becoming a popular place to search for employment, with many different categories for potential employers to list their ads under. No matter your profession, there are generally a few listings under each category, meaning there's something for everybody. However, just like applying for jobs in the real world as opposed to the virtual one, there are always things to remember.

Be professional!

I am going to use a metaphor to describe the level of professionalism I am talking about. Should you TyPe LiiKe DiiS in your email or send your email inquiring about the position from your personal email (hotnsexydude@gmail.com or DaTbIgBoOtAy@yahoo.com), it is the equivalent of showing up to a job interview in underwear and a wife beater with barbecue stains on it. If you need to spend five minutes registering a new email account in order to obtain a job, don't hesitate to do so! There are many sites that offer free email accounts: Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, etc. It's free and takes all of five minutes to set up. Pick something professional, any combination of your first and last name, and perhaps your birth year if numbers are absolutely necessary. Remember, too, to use good grammar whenever corresponding with potential employers via email. Capitalize the beginning of each sentence, use proper punctuation, and SPELL CHECK!

Don't ramble!

The person who posted the ad on Craigslist is certainly not going to want to hear WHY you are seeking employment. I guarantee they are not concerned that your husband works during the day and you need a part time job to keep busy, or that you're trying to buy a new car. Spare them the details and get right down to the nitty gritty. Be clear and concise about your qualifications without going into too much detail.

Get noticed!

While your title should also be short, concise, and to the point, it needs to catch the Craigslist poster's attention. Be sure to include the job title in the email's subject line. You might need to be a little clever in order to catch their attention!

Send your qualifications!

Make SURE to send your resume along with your email. Potential employers do not, however, wish to open 200 Word documents each time a potential employee sends an inquiry email. Format it correctly in the email as opposed to attaching the resume as a Word file, or any other type of file for that matter. There are many free online resume generators if you do not have a resume. http://www.careersonline.com.au/smartmoves/resume.ht ml is my personal favorite. A resume is almost always necessary when applying for jobs through Craigslist, as many of the potential employers request them.

Applying for a job through Craigslist is no different than applying for a job in reality. You will need the correct qualifications, professionalism, and to be short, concise, and to the point in your email. As with any other job application, your first impression is crucial! Make it a good one!

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