Convenience, speed, accessibility, lower recruiting cost, and a constantly changing labor market are several reasons why Internet job hunting has taken off. So if you’re unemployed or just browsing for that dream job, here are 10 potential mistakes to avoid when pursuing a new job via the Internet.

1. Don’t confuse activity with accomplishment. If ever there were a way to avoid picking up the phone while simultaneously pretending to make progress on a job search, it would have to be surfing the Net. Strive to keep your research within limits. I always encourage job seekers to use the Net for one of its best and highest uses: research. Of course, the prudent job searcher has a specific mission in mind BEFORE he sits down at the keyboard. At a minimum, establish a time limit -- 1 hour, 2 hours, etc. -- it doesn't matter how long, as long as a limit has been established BEFORE you turn on the computer. Ideally, set a timer with a bell or a buzzer; don’t depend on keeping your eye on your wristwatch. The Internet can be a remarkably seductive waste of time for most job seekers.

2. Research a cross-section of sites. A savvy job seeker can research areas such as industry sites, specific functional sites, professional organizations, and locations (for those considering relocation). These suggestions are for the beginning of a search. It's never been easier to stay up-to-date with one's professional associations -- you can get on and off e-mail lists easily and in most cases at no cost.

3. Look for a posting date. If a site hosts job announcements, look for a posting date. If dates aren’t included, look for information on how long announcements are retained so you know how often the database is cleaned. Sites hosting resume databases should also say how long resumes are retained, how to update or delete a resume, and how they handle confidentiality issues.

4. Make it a top priority to consult the company’s website. Perhaps the most important site for any job seeker is the website of the company where he/she is interviewing. Just as it’s recommended to do a physical drive-by a day or two before the actual interview, a visit to the company's website is a "virtual drive-by". And now, two caveats about this hint: 1) Make sure you’re actually visiting the website of the company with which you’re interviewing. One way to check out who owns the URL is by going online. Go to www.networksolutions.com. Click on the link in the upper middle of the page where it says "Whois". Then enter the URL. You'll find out who owns that website. 2) Remember, the webmaster who designed, built, and maintains the website may or may not be an employee of the company, and therefore, the website may or may not reflect the company culture!

5. Avoid mass mailing your resume. Recruiters on the Internet complain about the volumes of resumes they receive from unqualified candidates. Many job hunters apply for jobs they don’t really want by using “broadcast” buttons on career sites. These services are programmed to send resumes when broad criteria are listed. Avoid this by reading job postings carefully and applying only when they match your background and interests.

6. Despite all the claims about electronic resumes replacing hard copy, the reality is that most search firms are “halfway houses” – not all electronic, but not yet having dispensed with hard copy either. If presentation is more important than speed, send a hard copy by mail. It may not be fashionable, but it works and we’re talking about your career prospects, which should be worth the price of a stamp. This also resolves all your anxieties about presentation standards of your documents to recipients with no real downside. Another comment: Once e-mail “drops from the screen” into a database, you are totally reliant on the electronic search expertise of the researcher, and “out of sight” is really “out of mind.”

7. Don’t send your resume to an employer as an attachment. Applying online is a great convenience. But employers don’t want to receive resumes as attachments because they may carry viruses. Instead, they prefer that you cut and paste your resume into the body of your message or application. Many job search and corporate sites allow you to respond to specific openings by completing an online form, then pasting in your resume before sending it.

8. Since e-mail transmits text in a format called the American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII), your resume must be converted to that format. In other words, you must eliminate any word processing formats or stylistic embellishments that would prevent a resume’s ability to successfully communicate. Most operational studies indicate that a large majority of e-mail systems are designed to read only the characters that appear on a standard computer keyboard. That means you must purge your resume of all mathematical and business symbols, as well as sticking to commonly used fonts (i.e. Times or Courier). Also, keep your font size at 10 or 11 points.

9. Avoid general terms on resume. Use terms and acronyms specific to your industry. For example, BASIC, JAVA and Visual C++ instead of a general term such as “programming languages,” or use terms such as JIT and TQM instead of “manufacturing methods.” Avoid abbreviations of subjects and organizations that the computer software may not recognize, such as SHRM for the Society for Human Resource Management. Finally, before e-mailing your resume to employers, e-email a copy to yourself to see how it looks.

10. Don’t place all your eggs in one basket. Keep in mind that an online strategy is one tool in your career advancement kit. For many candidates, the Internet opens up an exponential amount of job-related information including vacancies, company profiles, industry information, and professional contacts. But don’t make it your only option. We may live in the information age but the Internet serves as an adjunct to already established job seeking channels.

Joe Hodowanes, a career strategy adviser in Tampa, Florida, offers a free resume and career analysis. Fax your resume to (813) 936-0201 or email it to jmwanes@jmwanes.com For questions, call Joe at (813) 936-0091 or visit www.jmwanes.com on the Web. All Job Search Advisor articles on this website are the property of www.jmwanes.com (J.M. Wanes & Associates). You may download
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