By Susan P. Joyce

The top search engine, Google, can be a powerful partner in your job search, but most of us use only about 10% of Google's capability. It can do MUCH more than simple searches of the web -- you can fine tune it to find that proverbial "needle in the haystack."

Use Google to help you find jobs and potential employers, to research those employers (financial stability, competitors, etc.), and to separate the good opportunities from the not-so-good ones.

Leverage Google to prepare for job interviews, as described in Job Interview Preparation with Smart Google Research. To avoid a bad situation or an employer heading for trouble, check out the 50 Google Searchs to Avoid Layoffs and Bad Employers.

10 Tips for Better Google Search Results

Note: Not every website is included in Google's database of Web sites. Some sites are not included because they are very new or are designed in a way that Google cannot see or catalog the site's contents.

1.  Find local job postings (in the USA).

Google now offers you the ability to search for and find job postings simply by searching for jobs in a location. Results include jobs posted on employer websites as well as on the usual job boards.

In Google's search bar, type (with the quotation marks for phrases):

"jobs near me"

"sales jobs near greater Boston"

"marketing jobs in san francisco"

Or type whatever you are looking for with a location, and Google will show you job postings in or near that area.

By Susan P. Joyce

LinkedIn has become essential and unavoidable for job search in most professions and industries simply because it is so popular with recruiters and employers. Why is it so popular? Because it allows them to easily search for qualified candidates, rather than sifting through hundreds of resumes and applications from people who are, unfortunately, seldom qualified for the jobs they apply for.

As a result, recruiters are -- by far -- LinkedIn's major source of revenue. Recruiters trust it to, usually, provide a relatively accurate picture of job candidates (versus the fiction that can appear on resumes occasionally).

Be sure that your resumes and job applications agree with the facts you publish on your LinkedIn profile. They will be compared by employers, and discrepancies will be viewed very negatively.

LinkedIn is not a set-it-and-forget-it magic carpet ride to a new job. For an effective LinkedIn experience, you'll need to spend time developing your profile, building your Connections, and actively participating on LinkedIn at least 15 to 30 minutes a day, more if you are currently unemployed.

5 Essential Elements of an Effective LinkedIn Presence

Regardless of your job search or career goals, these LinkedIn components are essential to your success on LinkedIn.

1. Clear Professional Focus

Yes, your LinkedIn Profile should build upon your past -- your education, experience, and accomplishments, in current and previous jobs. However, effective LinkedIn Profiles must be focused to make your professional expertise clear. This focus is particularly important in the Professional Headline, Summary, Work Experience, and Skills sections.

READ MORE

Newest Job-Hunt Quick Guide: 
Smart Personal Branding with LinkedIn, 3rd edition
  By Personal Branding Expert Meg Guiseppi 

1. How to Leverage LinkedIn Smartly When You Are Unemployed  by Laura Smith-Proulx

2. Job Interview Preparation with Smart Google Research by Susan P. Joyce

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