Job Hunting on a Company Website -
5 Practical Tips

© David Alan Carter
All Rights Reserved

Monster got you whipped? Dice not rolling your way? Those of you in the thick of a job search know we're not talking ghouls and games of chance. Rather, the reference is to job boards. Sadly, too many job seekers employ a ‘post and hope' strategy; they post their resume on a popular job board, then sit back and hope they get a call from an interested employer.

Yes, it can happen. But opportunities tend to come more frequently to those who are out beating the bushes.

Job Hunting On A Company Website - A More Direct Approach

It's sometimes easy to forget the basics, as we get caught up in the latest whizbang job search technology. Basics like the fact that any company worth a dime has a web presence, and a web presence means information freely available to visitors. And more often than not, that information includes a career page listing currently-available job opportunities.

As I write these words, I'm looking at the corporate website for Dow Chemical (Google "Dow Chemical" and it will pop up first on the results page). I clicked on the "Careers" tab, and initiated a search for all available jobs in North America. What I got back on this particular day was a multi-page list of available jobs ranging from an Aircraft Maintenance Technician in Freeland, Michigan to an Electrical Engineer in Hahnville, Louisiana. Not to mention Administrative Assistants and Contract Administrators and Plant Operators needed at locations throughout the country. And here's the kicker: on this date, we're still in the middle of an historic recession with unemployment at 10+%.

Know some companies you might like to work for? Companies that might have a need for your particular professional expertise? Don't wait for your posted resume on some job board to attract their attention; go to them and knock on their door. Start with their company website, and you'll likely find that door is already ajar. Walk on in.

5 Practical Tips For Job Hunting on a Company Website

It's easy enough to find the company's website (Google the name of the firm, and their site will usually pop up in the first one or two listings on the results page). Once there, look for the "careers" section or something similar. View available jobs. See something you like? Before you apply online and submit your resume, consider the following 5 tips:

2) Expect to have to customize your resume to highlight your specific qualifications that match those requirements of the job. For example, if the job requires a proficiency in Excel, dig that nugget out of the bowels of your resume and present it front-and-center in your Profile Section.

3) Try to avoid sending your resume to the HR department. In most cases, it will be unavoidable. But in some cases, with a little bit of investigative work, you can identify the Hiring Manger for the job you're seeking. If the position opening lists a "reports to..." try to identify that person via a "Profiles" or "Personnel" page. When at all possible, pitch to that person.

4) Pay close attention to details and specific instructions for applying. Every company will be different. Don't blow your chance for an interview by attaching your last performance review to an email when the fine print says "No Attachments."

5) Application completed? Great. But don't sit back and wait for the phone to ring. Find the next company you'd like to work for, and repeat steps 1-5. Success in a job search comes about by developing a campaign and working that campaign every day.
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A Final Thought...

It goes without saying that your resume needs to be "top shelf" -- before you submit it to a company website. If you're considering a professional resume service, make sure their writers are certified, have experience with your industry, and will take the time to discuss your needs and gather information over the phone. And a service that will stand behind their work. Yes, they're out there.

Our Resume Service Reviews page identifies 10 or more of the more popular companies out there, and I rank these writers on values like...

• » Quality of workmanship
• » Writer credentials
• » Pricing
• » Guarantees
  » Attentive customer service

You’ll find star rankings, mini-reviews, and in-depth reviews on each of the 10 companies. Whether you go it alone or trust the services of a pro writer, I wish you the best of luck in your job search! 

– David

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