How and Where to Search for Jobs Online

How and Where to Search for Jobs Online

See our links page for a longer list of job and internship search-sites. These are some of the key sites:

http://goldpass.umn.edu: GoldPASS is the job and internship database created by the University of Minnesota. Thousands of employers post positions on it for U of M students and recent grads.

The Web is Public:
Manage your online persona smartly. Set your privacy settings to high. Don’t post photos or pages that make you look unprofessional. Anyone can search and find that, including potential employers.

www.monster.com
LandIt.org
www.idealist.org lists local, national and international nonprofit jobs
www.mncn.org compiles job listings for Minnesota nonprofits
www.usajobs.com lists U.S. government positions

Other ways to search online:

Visit the Web sites of companies that interest you. Some companies post openings there first, or only there.
Browse the Web sites of professional associations related to fields that interest you. Try searching on “professional associations” and the name of a field/industry.
Browse affinity group Web sites, like sites targeting women, African Americans, professionals with disabilities, and more.
Don’t forget about on-campus recruiting opportunities available to CLA students. See our On-Campus Recruiting section.

Advantages to Online Searching and Networking

The Web is definitely a tool to use in the job search. Just remember it's not the only way to find a job, or even the best way. But it is convenient, and it allows you to search local, national, and international job markets.

You can also use the Web as a networking tool. It's a helpful way to meet people in professions that interest you, or to get leads about jobs. You can do this through chat rooms, listservs, and social networking sites like Facebook or LinkedIn. Remember to be professional and keep your private data private.

Caveats: Not All Sites Are Reliable
Ask yourself these questions before you put a lot of time and resources into specific Web sites:

Do the job listings include dates, so I can tell if they’re current? How often are they updated?
Does the site charge a fee? If so, is the fee worth what the site offers, or can the same information be found elsewhere for free?
Is the site a privacy risk? Note what personal information it requires. Avoid sites that ask for a social security number or financial information.
Is the information relevant to the type of job or industry I want to focus on?
Who runs the site—are they reputable?
Do I know anyone who has used this site, and did it work for them?

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