Maximizing Your Online Job Search

Everyone knows by now that the largest job search engine is Indeed.com, the online search engine dedicated to job listings that has, according to Wikipedia, surpassed Monster.com to take the national lead as top dog in job search engine land as of October 2010.

But you may be relying on Indeed's vertical job search engine to a fault, and missing out on some suitable listings as a result. For example, an hour's worth of research on Las Vegas, Nevada jobs revealed a few oversights from the job search engine giant in the service sector.

Specifically, when comparing Indeed.com to CareerOneStop.org, 3 job listings out of the first 15 found at CareerOneStop were not also listed on Indeed. This amounts to a 20% differential, a significant gap for any Nevadan job seeker. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, CareerOneStop.org has an online job search with some valuable built-in functions not found on Indeed, like the nifty pop-up menu of close and related keywords for your search.

The gaps were revealed by running two separate keyword searches on “personal care service” and “customer service” at CareerOneStop for Las Vegas, Nevada. Each set of results contained 3 job openings, for a total of 6, that were not listed when individually typed into Indeed.com. One of these jobs was for a part time customer service specialist at Office Depot, while another listing is for a senior custodian at the Clark County Department of Aviation.

With the exception of the Office Depot job, these off-the-giant-grid listings were positions requisitioned by the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.

Drilling Down to Maximize Your Online Job Search

Nevada's DETR is part of a networked alliance that includes CareerOneStop, Nevada JobConnect, VetCentral, and JobCentral. The 4 remaining exclusive positions sampled are company blind, meaning that the employers chose to withhold their identities during the posting process.

There are a few reasons why employers do this. The most likely explanation is that the company needs to fire the current employee, or has recently fired the employee filling the position. Another reason is to avoid nepotism, and last, the company may be involved in a headline scandal or legal battle of some kind, and feels a blind listing is the only way to ensure the application of qualified candidates.

Obviously, you would be somewhat concerned in the latter case. However, if the listed position is one that you really desire, you'd be wise to apply and take advantage of the lowered competition. After all, if you get the interview, you will then be able to quickly determine which of these scenarios is at play, and make your decision accordingly.

A quick Google News search on the company will determine whether a scandal or legal battle is occurring. If not, then you can breathe easy. Most likely, they just had to let the previous worker go, which is usually of no concern to you, unless the company has a pattern of firing the employee in the position with some frequency.

You can call the contact person at the JobConnect office where you sent your resume, and politely ask if the company had previously put in a blind listing for this position within the last few years. For the best chance of an answer, do so after you get a call back, but before you actually interview.

To access many state-specific resources relating to your Nevada job search, including local JobConnect offices, go to DETR's JobCentral home page. To access off-the-giant-grid listings, like this one for an orthopedic medical assistant, add CareerOneStop.org to your bookmarks. More tips for your online job search to come. Until then, focus on putting your best foot forward and as always, good luck!