Top 5 things new graduates should know about finding a job online.

By Eric Newton, CareerBuilder.com® Director Customer Service

CareerBuilder.com® Job Search Workshop video presentation and image gallery.

1. The Internet has a lot of information. Where is the best place for me to begin my search?

You should start your search with a major online job board. A board, such as CareerBuilder.com, will provide a large repository of jobs and opportunities with companies that new jobseekers are unaware of. Once potential fits have been identified by position or by organization, candidates can then proceed to apply for positions, begin social networking, and start researching the company to see if they can make direct contact with the hiring manager.

2. I’ve found a job that I want to apply for. How can I ensure my resume gets viewed by a hiring manager? Does including a cover letter or supporting documents really make a difference?

Many companies outsource recruiting or have in-house recruiters that screen candidates prior to the resume being viewed by a hiring manager. It is vital to differentiate yourself when applying for a position in a variety of ways.

• First, tailor your resume to fit the position in question. Never use a one size fits all resume.
• Second, consider investing in having your resume professionally created. Your resume is the first impression a potential employer obtains and you never want to under sell your accomplishments.
• Third, do your research on companies and identify the hiring manager if it is not included in the position posting and direct mail them (not email) a resume and personalized cover letter. A personalized cover letter can make a big impact if written well. Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of the organization and how if hired they can effectively impact change within a company.

Regardng coverletters - generic cover letters do little to set candidates apart from the competition. Supporting documents are also not as relevant as they will be verified and discussed should the candidate be contacted for an interview.

3. I have a resume that I use for face-to-face interviews. Can I use the same one when applying for jobs online? Are there particular resume formats or styles that work better online? Word, HTML, PDF? Highlighted achievements? Links to URLs?

Having a special resume created for face to face interviews is beneficial; however, it may not be usable when applying for jobs online.

Generally, HTML and special formatting is not allowed online as companies attempt to reduce the file size of resumes by converting them to plain text. Easy-to-read word documents work best online.

Proper titling of the resume when using job board is critical. If using CareerBuilder.com, don’t title your resume (i.e. John’s Resume, My Resume), rather be more descriptive and title the resume by skill set or position (i.e. Experienced Dental Hygienist, Call Center Manager).

You should include a section on your resume or in a cover letter to highlight personal achievements that are relevant to a particular position. You should be able to quantify the value in some manner whether it be process improvement, revenue, or cost savings.

Links to URLs may not be viewed or allowed as companies protect their networks from spam and viruses.

4. Online applications ask for a lot of details such as references and salary expectations. I thought these were covered during the interview process. How can I be sure that I’m not disqualified before speaking with someone?

Candidates should request permission from references prior to submitting them on an application. This will minimize the potential for a poor reference being given. Best rule of thumb for salary inquires is to use negotiable if it is allowed as an option or to provide a range. It is okay to acknowledge that you are uncomfortable discussing salary requirements without having a full understanding of what the role entails. Being transparent is accepted more readily than being defensive or aloof.

5. What is the biggest mistake people make using the Internet for a job search?

Not taking the time to set themselves apart from the competition. Jobseekers tend to do the minimum while expecting the maximum rate of return. Candidates apply for several positions without tweaking their resumes to better fitpositions, they fail to complete candidate profile sections online, and they often forget to clean up digital dirt*. Although laws have been established protecting jobseekers from discrimination based on information found online, it is still wise to police the internet for any potential damaging data that may be available about oneself.

*When a prospective employer conducts an online search about a specific candidate, checking out sites like MySpace and Facebook to ensure that the candidate fits with corporate culture.