As I said last time – and have been saying since day 1 - job boards are broken.

Last week, in a review of Episode #1, I talked about active vs. passive job search strategies, the hidden job market, and how to access those jobs that aren’t posted anywhere.

This week, I am reviewing episode #2 – How to Maximize the Effectiveness of Job Boards, with updates for 2025.

Here are 12 tips for making the most of job boards:

1.   Don’t spend all your time on job boards…get out there and network. Here’s my rule of thumb:

Recent graduate: 75%/25%

Mid-career: 50%/50%

Upper level: 25%/75%

Executive: 0%/100%

2.   Look at job boards during non-daytime hours (i.e.10:00 p.m.), when you can’t call people or have networking meetings. Don’t spend your valuable daytime hours on this passive strategy.

3.   Don’t apply unless you are at least 75% qualified AND very interested in the job. Even if you know in your heart that you are the ideal candidate, if it doesn’t look like it on paper, you are wasting your time to apply for that job.

4.   Customize your resume and cover letter for that position, so the reader knows you are interested in that specific position and not just any job. Incorporate keywords into your resume, using the job description as your guide. Use the EXACT terminology found in the job description.

5.   Leverage AI as a tool for customizing your resume and cover letter – but don’t let it do it for you. HR has tools to determine which resumes were AI-generated, and many are automatically discarding those applicants.

6.   Make sure your resume is ATS compatible – use common headings such as Professional Experience, Education, etc. Don’t use text boxes, two columns, tables, or fancy headers.

7.   When you find the job on LinkedIn or another job board, utilize that board’s capabilities while actually applying on the company’s website.

8.   Use the +1 Approach, or don’t apply – find a person in your network who can make an introduction to the decision-maker, for example.

9.   Connect with the recruiter who posted the role and other key stakeholders at the company on LinkedIn. You’ll need to use LinkedIn’s advanced search functionality for this.

10.Complete the application – you’re not going to be considered if you leave blanks on the application. I know it’s a pain in the butt, but do it anyway, and don’t write “See Resume.” Answer the question about salary requirements.

11.Follow up whenever possible. If you know what company you are applying to, and the ad doesn’t specifically say not to call, then contact them to let them know you’re interested.

12.Think of job boards as a reference point on which companies are hiring, rather than a source for specific job postings. This tells you which companies are in hiring mode, and they might be more open about hiring you-even if they haven’t posted a position for which you are qualified.

Do your homework to find out why the company is in hiring mode, and how you might be able to add value. Is that company a good fit for you? Then seek out the decision-maker about how you can add value to the company.

The Document & Coaching Package is designed for current job seekers who want world-class marketing documents, a targeted, proactive job search strategy that gets results, and skill-building around how to network, interview, and negotiate compensation. To learn more or to schedule a consult, visit my website at https://theexclusivecareer.com/doccoach or email me at [email protected].