How much have you adapted your approach to finding work? The Covid-19 lockdown has highlighted alternative ways for jobseekers to access opportunities and increase their chances of employment. Traditionally, most of us have relied on job ads from multiple media channels, or physically dropping off CVs.

But now, the internet has become a hub for information, including job opportunities. Yes! The internet is a big and sometimes intimidating world, but it is filled with many opportunities to conveniently do a lot of things, including work-seeking. Here, we will share the top tips of work-seeking using the internet. The trick for work-seekers is to stay motivated, focused and to explore the various virtual and online options at your disposal on the internet.

Here are a few tips on how to look for work online:

Choose platforms that make it easy for you to look for work!
– Data-lite or data-free platforms
– Reputable platforms synchronise many ways to access and apply for work online! Some people opt to go directly to employer sites, some rely on social media (i.e. Facebook & LinkedIn), and some use job platforms and job aggregators (i.e. Giraffe, Jobjack, Adzuna & VacancyUpdate) or recruitment agencies.

Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind when looking for work online:

● Have an online presence!
Ensure that you are easily searchable by including relevant keywords in your online career profile. Ensure that your profile on various social media platforms (i.e. Facebook & LinkedIn) is clear and professional. Your profile should include your previous roles and responsibilities.
Use your real name and surname across multiple platforms. Avoid using nicknames or clan names.

● Be active
Being a work-seeker means that you must constantly be active on the internet for opportunities. Register on multiple job aggregators to receive a variety of opportunities. Job aggregators gather job postings from various job boards and other internet sites and brings them together on a single searchable site.
Make sure you look actively and apply for opportunities a few times a week to increase your chances of employment.

● Be responsive

Being active means that you have to be proactive and responsive. Make sure you respond in time for job opportunities. Ensure that all your documents are up to date and ready to be sent in as quickly as possible.

Respond immediately to any contact that you may receive from a recruiter or employer. Always answer your phone and be aware that you need to be contactable. Don’t change any of your contact details including your cellphone number as this will create difficulties for someone who might be trying to get hold of you.

● Be responsible
Someone is always watching! Ensure that you remain professional and create a good reputation and brand across all your profiles.
Avoid posting content that will limit your chances of getting employment opportunities.

How to monitor and use data sparingly:

A few specific tips:

● When using Google for information search, take screenshots to limit the time spent online. Screenshots are saved to your photo gallery and you will be able to view them at any time without using data.
● Only download important videos sent to you and limit video calls.
● Turn off email auto synchronise.
● Even apps you don’t use often use a bit of your data. Close all apps in the background that you are not using.
● Activate a data Saver option on Instagram.
● Setting a data limit will help manage your data (however the notification that you have used more than your limit will come after you have exceeded it).
● Be mindful of the time spent on social media.
● On YouTube, turn off HD streaming under Settings when not on WIFI to limit mobile data usage.
● Facebook has an option to enable you to use less data or use Free Basics to use Facebook for free.
● Change updates settings on Google Play store from auto to download over WIFI only.

Understand the offerings of your network provider and make cost-effective decisions

If data costs are a concern, visit your local library as many national libraries now offer free internet access for local community members. Certain youth development centres also allow access to the internet at no cost for the purposes of studying and job-searching. Alternatively, you can hop onto the free Wi-Fi offered at selected malls, restaurants and retail stores using your smartphone.

Even though using the internet to search for jobs may seem challenging, it is something that you need to master. Finding jobs is difficult enough so make it easier for yourself by following these tips. Although data costs are a barrier to using the internet, use one of our suggestions to find a way to make it happen. Not only will you have access to 100s of potential jobs but you will be upgrading your computer literacy skills at the same time!

Thanks to the Harambee Team for content support.

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