Advantages

At any given point, at least 30% of the global workforce is looking for a job. Online sites are the top source for finding new opportunities. With the rise of platforms like LinkedIn and ZipRecruiter, sending out job applications has become easier than ever. Creating a professional profile, uploading your resume, and looking through job postings are the fundamentals of digital job searching. Accessing online job listings provides more options to consider and can even present opportunities you would not otherwise explore. One of the best things about digital job search platforms is how user-friendly they are. Most offer helpful tips and learning resources, alerts on saved job searches, and an easy one-click application feature. The best part? They’re free for job seekers.

How it works

An online job listing can potentially attract hundreds, if not thousands, of applicants, depending on the type of position, salary, location, and a number of other factors. This is why today’s recruiters and hiring managers rely on ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) to identify the best candidates based on matching their job descriptions to applicant profiles and resumes. The more keywords in your application, resume, and cover letter match a position description compared to other applicants, the more likely you will be contacted for an interview.

The Facts

The team at Media Smart Citizens compared five key features of the top digital job search sites to help you get started. 

Helpful tips

Optimizing your application, resume, and cover letter to fit with common ATS characteristics is incredibly important. The keywords you use should be tailored to the position you are applying for. Keywords are specific words and phrases that ATS software recognizes to rank the most qualified applicants. A quick Google search of keywords describing a position you are interested in will help you a build list of descriptive words to think about including in your resume, cover letter, and application. 

Written by: Media Smart Citizens Content Creator Miranda Gilbert