by Hayley Solich

Created on: February 06, 2008   Last Updated: July 30, 2010

So how do you conduct an 'effective' job search? The word 'effective' has become a cliche and has kind of lost its impact. According to the online Encarta dictionary, it means "producing a result, especially the expected or intended result" and "to produce a favorable result". If you want your job search to be 'effective', then you may want to know what your expectations and intended result are.

Tip 1 - Work out exactly what you are looking for in a job.
Make a list of all the things that you are interested in - location, dollar value, opportunity for advancement, skills development, recognition, etc. Everything you value in a job should be on that list.

Tip 2 - Look for jobs that fit your list.
There is no point in applying for jobs that don't fit what you are looking for as you are just wasting your time and the potential employer's time. To find the jobs that are on your list, you can sign up with some of the job search engines. Seek.com and CareerOne.com are just two of many job search sites. Most major recruiters also have their job search databases, so it's worthwhile visiting them and conducting a specific search. Government career sites and larger companies advertise positions vacant online. Go to the website and look for employment or job vacancies links. Use keywords in your search to filter out unsuitable jobs. You can also use some of the features on these job search engines, like email alerts, that keep you informed of particular groups or categories of jobs. This can save you a lot of time and effort.

Remember to make the most of your social networks. Often it is not what we know but whom we know that makes all the difference. Social networks can be very fruitful in finding work as you let others know what you are looking for.

Tip 3 - Once you have identified jobs that look right, examine the selection criteria and write one to two examples from your work history that satisfy each criteria. If you don't know how to work this out, underline key words in the selection criteria. Think about your work and life experiences that relate to the keywords. If you don't understand any of the key words, research them because sometimes jargon is used and if you know what that jargon means you may have transferable skills or relevant experience.

Tip 4 - If you feel as though you have a 75% or above compatibility with the job, apply for it. You always want to be stretched just a little to maintain interest in a job, so don't be put off if you don't match the criteria

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