So, you’ve decided to start that job search. Great! But, now what? Assuming you’ve got your resume and cover letter ready to go, here’s where to look next.

Job boards

For the average job search, this is a great place to begin. At the moment, we have Indeed, ZipRecruiter, Monster, Google, and CareerBuilder, just to name a few! In many areas of the country, you’ll likely have some local job board sources as well.

Which job board(s) do I use?

As you start things off, it’s a great idea to check out several job boards because each tends to perform differently, depending on your region. Keep in mind as well that we’re in the world of remote work! So, maybe Indeed performs better in your geographic region, but you’re looking for remote work based somewhere else. In that region, maybe Monster actually is a stronger source. So yes, lots of reasons to diversify your search.

Jobs on social media?

As with job boards, your job search resources on social media will likely depend on the type of work you’re seeking. At this point, I’m hearing candidates who have found work through LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat! It’s certainly worth exploring them to see if any of them could be a resource to you in your job search.

Your Social Presence

And speaking of social media, this is a perfect segue into another big topic. What does your social media footprint look like these days?

Why this matters

There are a number of employers that do a thorough review of a candidate’s social media pages. And for some roles (ex. Social Media Marketing Specialist), employers could almost look at your social media page as a portfolio of your work.

In any event, this job search is a great excuse to scrutinize your social media. Of course, the first place to start is photos.

• How are your profile and cover photos looking?
• Is there anything about them that may be questionable to viewers?
• If applicable, be sure to review photos you’re tagged in, since those are easily accessible as well.

How’s your content?

In terms of posts and content sharing, is there anything on your page that could raise questions with a prospective employer?

Speaking of content, if you’re using LinkedIn as part of your job search strategy, have you been posting? If you’re in the more advanced stages of your career, are you sharing things that demonstrate your level of expertise in your field? For those just starting off, maybe you won’t be a subject-matter-expert, but you can find other professional things to post.

And whether you’re just getting started in your career or you’re a seasoned pro, it’s always a good idea to keep working your network through birthday and anniversary messages, recommendations, etc.

Ultimately, this all contributes to your personal brand. The concept is becoming more and more important as the world becomes more digital.

What if I don’t want to change those pieces of my social profile?

Now is the moment where I get to contradict myself! As Polonius once said, “To thy own self be true…” Point being, maybe changing yourself for marketing purposes gets you the job. But if an employer seeing the real you means not hiring you, is that a place you would have wanted to work? This is a delicate line to walk, but sometimes it’s worth looking at. It’s always advisable to put your best foot forward. However, it’s also good to ensure we end up somewhere that is a solid cultural match.