29 Searching for Jobs Online

Online Job Search Safety

Before you begin your search, review this safety information carefully to protect yourself from financial loss, identity theft, wasted time, and energy.

Learn to Recognize Employment Scams

Be an informed and proactive job seeker. Research and assess every job posting, company, and employment agency you apply to. Contact them directly if necessary. If you have doubts about the job posting, company, or any interactions with an employer, proceed cautiously!

• Do not accept a job offer without being interviewed in person, over the phone, or via video call.
• A legitimate employer typically requests personal information only after an interview has been completed, references have been verified, and an offer of employment has been made and signed. Personal information includes SIN number, date of birth, driver’s license or health card, and banking information.
• ​​Do not use your own money to pay suppliers or transfer funds.
• Never accept payment before starting a job or for services that have not been completed.
• Sounds too good to be true? Seek advice from a trusted source, such as a parent, a professor, or MyCareer at Conestoga College.

Read “BBB Study: Looking for a job? Be careful! Job scams increased post-pandemic” on the Better Business Bureau website to learn more about how to protect yourself from job scams.

What to Do if You Suspect a Job Scam

• End all communication with the employer, and if personal information was disclosed, change all your passwords and monitor your accounts to be safe.
• If you have sent money to a fraudulent employer, contact your bank or credit card company immediately for further instructions.
• Gather all records of the fraud and contact the police to report it: Waterloo Regional Police Service: Fraud and Identity Theft and/or RCMP – Reporting Scams and Frauds.

Online Job Search Websites

Employer Websites

Make a list of target employers and visit their websites often. Employers often receive so many resumes that they don’t always need to post their positions on a job board to attract interest. Therefore, by creating a list of employers you may be interested in working for and frequently visiting their “Careers” section, you will ensure that you see any available positions. If their websites have a resume bank, upload your resume. There are several different resources to help you develop a list:

• Business directories, such as the Yellow Pages
• LinkedIn Company Directory
• Conestoga Library’s Company Research Guide
• Professional associations

List your top organizations and keep track of their information. Use a spreadsheet or a table with the following headings to record your notes:

• Organization
• Contact Name
• Date Contacted
• Where did I hear about the company
• Notes/Follow Up

Online Job Boards and Search Engines

Although online postings are among the most highly populated job search methods job seekers use, they only account for a portion of available jobs. Once you have entered a site, you would typically use a search engine to find advertised jobs by inputting a keyword and location. Most of these online sites allow you to post your resume directly with the idea that an employer or recruiter may match you to a position and contact you directly. Review the following recommendations to improve your response rate:

• While setting up and receiving targeted email alerts may be helpful, ensure that if you’ve posted your resume, you are updating your information regularly, as many recruiters are looking at resumes according to how recently they were posted.
• Jobs are often listed by various titles; remember to change your search criteria frequently to maximize your search results. For example, a health office administration position may go by other titles such as Medical Secretary, Medical Office Administrator, Medical Receptionist, and many more.
• Lastly, don’t wait until the closing date to apply. If looking to fill an opening immediately, employers may start reviewing applications before the position closes.
• Here is a list of common job-posting websites. (Because hyperlinks may change over time, you can Google “Job Search Ontario” to find your own list of sites.)

When using and creating profiles on multiple sites, it can be overwhelming to remember all the information.

Record your profile information in a safe space on your computer in a spreadsheet or other document with the following headings:

• Website
• User name
• Password
• Security questions
• Answers
• Comments

Download Tracking Logs [opens an Excel file (.xlsx)]