There are a lot of options out there when it comes to finding a job. You can network, send your resume to friends and family, or post it on online job boards.

But does it make sense to post your resume online and is it the best option for you? Here are some things to think about before you make your decision.

Are there better ways than posting on online job boards?

If you’ve been looking for a new job recently, chances are good that you posted your resume on one of the many online job boards. But do those postings help you land a job?

“The answer is yes,” says Alison Green, Inc. Magazine’s resident expert on career advice. “But the question is, ‘How much?’ And the answer depends on what type of job you’re seeking.”

Green explains that posting a résumé on a general site like Monster.com or CareerBuilder.com doesn’t guarantee you’ll get hired, but it can certainly put you in touch with potential employers.

That’s why Green recommends searching specifically for jobs that interest you. For example, if you want to move into sales, look up local companies that sell products you’d like to buy. You could even start a conversation with the person behind the counter at the store.

If you know that you want to switch careers entirely, Green suggests taking advantage of social media. Sites like LinkedIn and Facebook allow you to connect with people in your industry, and Green notes that recruiters often use these networks to identify talent.

Of course, none of this guarantees that you’ll end up getting hired. After all, it’s just one step in the process.

Expert Tip (Top Sites To Post Your Resume On)

In today’s competitive job market, it pays to advertise yourself. However, there are several different ways you can do so effectively. One way that you can do this effectively is by posting your resume on multiple job boards online.

While some employers might frown upon posting your resume on public forums like LinkedIn, others find such postings helpful. Many companies actively seek out candidates via social media.

If you want to ensure your resume gets noticed, check out the following sites where recruiters and hiring managers to hang out.

LinkedIn – This site is excellent for networking and building relationships. You can use it to connect with people who work at companies similar to yours and those looking for a job.

Monster – This site allows you to upload your resume and apply directly to jobs on the web. Many recruiters use Monster to look for talent.

Indeed – This free job board aggregator connects job seekers with employers. They offer both paid and unpaid positions.

Twitter – Twitter is one of the most popular forms of communication today. Job hunters often use Twitter to network and build relationships with potential employers.

Facebook – Facebook is another popular platform for job hunting. Use it to reach your existing friends and family.

Google+ – Similar to Facebook, Google+ is used by millions of people around the world. Recruiters use it to source candidates.

Is my information safe?

Most people think posting their resumes online is a good idea because it exposes them to recruiters and companies. However, there are some things that you must consider before sharing your resume publicly.

When you upload your resume to a site like Indeed, it becomes visible to everyone. This includes recruiters, hiring managers, and even current employees. So, while you might think, “I’m being careful,” you’re putting yourself at risk.

You can control who sees your resume by making it public or private. Anyone can view your profile, including employers looking for candidates, if you decide to make your resume public. Personal summaries aren’t shared outside of the employer unless you ask a recruiter to send them to someone else.

Your name, contact info, job history, and education are all fair game. But your home address, phone number, and email address shouldn’t be exposed to strangers.

Best places to post your resume

At least 40,000 job board sites exist, each promising to help people find jobs. And while some of those sites are great for finding full-time employment, others are better suited for part-time work or freelance gigs. Before you head over to your laptop to start posting your resume, knowing what type of job site will lead to success is essential.

There are five basic types of career sites:

National Job Boards. Glassdoor and CareerBuilder are both national job boards, meaning they cover multiple states or countries. They’re great for employers looking to hire workers across the United States or internationally.

Local Job Sites. Local job sites tend to focus on specific industries and geographic regions. For example, Monster offers New York City and San Francisco local job listings. LinkedIn is another good option for local jobs.

Freelance Sites. Freelance sites provide opportunities for freelancers to list themselves and seek clients. Some more significant freelance areas include Upwork, PeoplePerHour, and Fiverr.

Job Marketplaces. A marketplace is similar to a classified ad site like Craigslist or Kijiji. Companies use marketplaces to connect directly with potential employees.

Social Media. Social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter offer job seekers ways to network with companies and recruiters.

Contact information to include on your resume

Today, job applicants are urged to keep their contact information to a minimum, including simply their city and state (no street address, no fax, no additional phone numbers), website URL, and online profile links. Once you’ve done that, be careful to reply to inquiries from employers.

Kemp adds that most recruiters are looking for candidates to fill positions that are currently open and being interviewed, and if the applicant doesn’t respond quickly enough, someone else will, “and they will be hired.”

She advises applicants to check out the job board’s posting guidelines carefully, noting that some require additional contact information beyond what is listed above.

Ensuring that your resume convinces employers

You’ve probably heard the term “keyword stuffing,” where someone fills their resume with many words to make it look longer.

This practice isn’t recommended because it makes your resume difficult to read and understand. You want to include keywords throughout your resume, but don’t go overboard.

If you do, it won’t help you stand out. Instead, focus on including keywords relevant to the position you’re applying for.

The best place to start is to review the job posting itself. Look for terms that indicate the type of person the hiring manager wants to hire. Then, add those terms to your resume.

In addition, try to highlight skills or experiences that match those listed in the job description. Finally, sprinkle in some personal adjectives to describe yourself. These could be things such as “hardworking,” “diligent,” or “responsible.”

When is the right time in posting your resume online?

The best time to post your resume online depends on several factors, including your career level, industry, and job search goals.

For example, suppose you’re an entry-level job seeker in a highly competitive industry. In that case, you may consider posting your resume on a job board or employer website as soon as possible. This will help you get your foot in the door and increase your chances of being noticed by recruiters.

However, if you’re an experienced professional in a less competitive industry, you may want to wait until you’re actively searching for a new position to post your resume online.

This will help ensure that your resume doesn’t get lost in the shuffle and that employers only see it when looking for candidates. Ultimately, the best time to post your resume online is whenever it will help you achieve your job search goals.

Does it have benefits?

Posting your resume online increases your chances of being contacted by recruiters and hiring managers searching for qualified candidates.

This is especially true as many companies are moving their hiring processes online and use search engines like LinkedIn to find prospective employees.

Posting your resume online allows recruiters and hiring managers to view your profile and see what skills you possess. You can reach out to those individuals via email or phone call.

Companies also benefit from having access to more significant numbers of qualified candidates.

By reaching out to people outside their network, they increase their chances of finding someone who matches their needs.

Companies save money because they don’t have to pay for advertising and recruiting costs.

Should you post your resume to online job boards?

So, what’s the verdict? The answer is a resounding yes!

With so many different platforms to choose from and such a large pool of potential employers, there’s no reason not to take advantage of all that online job boards offer.

And don’t forget – our experts are more than qualified to coach you and advise you in writing a resume that will make you stand out above the competition.

Ready to get started? Check out our latest job postings and see how we can help you find your dream career.