by Patrick Markey

Created on: October 04, 2010

Since the inception of the World Wide Web the ability and necessity to communicate online has without doubt made many industries more productive and enhanced the communication system.  Searching for a job online has provided a means to access careers quicker but has also broken the communication stream from one person to another.  The vastness of cyber space has simplified communication to a point of being impersonal.

Competition among job seekers by nature has always been a driving force for individuals to become more creative, persevere and network more effectively.  The internet has made the competition more readily connected and in fact made some of the initial hurdles extinct which at times can be debilitating to a qualified candidate that might not have the technological process as well defined. 

Over saturation with resumes and job applicants also make the selection process unbearable to the hiring employer.  A position which might have been listed traditionally in the local newspaper is now circulated to anyone who searches the correct key terms.  This oversimplification plugs up the networks with resumes and might support the idea that the candidates most qualified get lost in the shuffle. 

Fraudulent internet phishers.  Some popular job posting sites might not have the control or security measures in place to verify the validity of an employer.  Job seekers are asked to forward a resume with contact information blindly online.  The idea seems harmless in nature but scammers can accumulate information about you and gain alot of new information by having your resume.  Craigslist is one such site that has specific warnings and makes the idea of sending a resume and cover letter online a concern.

The impersonal feel to electronic submission creates that barrier of a face to face initial contact.  Although sending a resume and cover letter via the United States Postal Service doesn't feel all that personal, the idea of knowing your letter physically traveling to an address and will be opened by a prospective employer is much stronger than the 'one click' online submission process.

In todays marketplace and competition, the idea of circulating resumes online is a necessary evil but should not be the ends to the job search.  Getting your face in front of perspective hiring managers, phone calls and all the traditional networking tools should still be utilized for an effective job hunt.

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