Intelligent Job Search – Are you Smart Searching?

“I know that I am intelligent, because I know that I know nothing.” – Socrates.

This is a good starting point when it comes to job search (knowing what you don’t know), but what exactly is intelligent job search? Well for one, it is fine tuning your job search engines to search specifically for jobs that match your requirements to achieve that.

Another idea might be to setup several consistent searches in each of your job search engines and company career sites using keywords that describe your ideal job or that specify different industries or locations.

Lastly, you should consider having different versions of your resume which highlight specific aspect or job functions. So let’s take a look at what else you can do.

Spin Strategy – Tools for Intelligent Job Search – So what better place to start than the career site with the tag line “Tools for Intelligent Job Search”? Spin Strategy provides a number of resources for job seekers. Not only does it provide advice, but there are a number of great tools and downloads. In addition to all of this is the Spin Strategy Blog. There are tabs at the top of the main page for Blog (a MUST read), Tools (for building an efficient job search strategy), Downloads (great free tools).

Another important factor of intelligent job search is knowing what are you worth in the current market (not what you think you are worth). There are a number of sites which provide this information based on input by you. They all have their pros and cons, so it is probably best to try a few and get a broad view. I’ve listed a few for your reference:

There are a number of advice links with articles on strategy and smart job search:

Ten Effective Job Search Strategies – This article, from Allbusiness.com, provides a number of great tips (10 tips as you would have likely guessed) such as Aim for the right target, Work the network and Be persistent. This article is definitely worth a read.
Job Hunt Strategy - Who better than Monster.com to help you with tips for your intelligent job search? This section of their site is very well put together and organized. There are a number of sections included all of which should form the basis of your job search, including Career Assessment, Company and Industry Research, Networking and more.

And, of course, what intelligent job search would be complete without an intelligent job search? Two job search sites listed below for your review.

Intelligent Job Search – On first look, the main page of this job search site may not seem all that intelligent, but click advanced search to get a number of additional filters to help in identifying the jobs that best fit your needs. Fill in the basics from the advanced search page to get a look at the jobs. There were not that many jobs posted when I checked the site. Not sure if additional jobs will be added in future.
RiseSmart.com – And, of course, you can’t have an intelligent job search without a Smart Search. This site has a different approach to leveraging a job search engine. How does it work? For the detail, visit the site and follow the “How it Works” link. But basically, you tell them what you want, they look for you and then match you with the perfect job. The good news is that there is a free trial, but there is a charge following your free trial.

Good luck in your search.