Selling yourself online

How can you get noticed on job web sites? Dr MARIE WILSON is associate professor of management at the University of Auckland, research director of the ICEHOUSE business accelerator and a veteran of 20 years in corporate management and small business.

I have just been made redundant. I've put my resume on all the major job search sites, and have applied for various positions.

I never received a reply from any of the employers. I've received only automated responses stating that if interested, someone would contact me within several weeks.

How can I get noticed on these sites, or are they just not worth it?

It takes time to find work; a rule of thumb is to allow a month or two for every $10,000 in salary for the position that you are seeking.

To be noticed on websites, you need to make sure your skills and abilities are highlighted and show up quickly for the quick browser.

You may also want to use sites that give their own assessment information and are already linked to placement firms.

Using sites is also only one method of job finding.

Successful job hunters have excellent quality CVs prepared, know how to write effective introductions and consistently apply for jobs that match their skills.

As well, they actively network to let others know that they are in the market.

Get friends to view your CV online, against the background of others at the site, to make sure your CV is selling you.

As well, diversify your strategy by also using other job-seeking methods.

I had an interview for a position as a journalist with a major media company recently. Got on OK with the interviewer and the first screen test went all right, so was called back for a second one, and although it didn't go so well. I wasn't too worried, as it was a junior level job and I know I wasn't expected to be perfect.

However, after that, I didn't hear a bean from the interviewer, not even a courtesy letter saying "thanks, but no thanks."

I have no idea if I flunked completely, or if I wasn't skilled enough for them, or if I just wasn't what they were looking for.

Seeking some feedback, I rang a couple of times over a space of about three weeks and got his personal assistant, who was sympathetic but didn't actually do anything.

I think this is really poor form and although I am happily employed elsewhere, I am still really annoyed at this rude silence.

And I would never work for that company in any capacity if that is how they treat people.

I agree. Few companies realise how much "badwill" they can generate by not handling the recruiting and selection process well.

Best practice is to set a schedule for decisions and communicate them to all involved, let people know their status frequently, and provide the option of seeking feedback on why unsuccessful applicants didn't get the job.

Finally, considering the investment both sides make in the process, it should end on a positive note, with a CV on file for future position or at least a positive impression of the company in the applicant's eyes.

I work in middle management in a traditional (read, male-dominated) professional field.

I'm quite loyal to the company and am happy to stay long-term, but I look at other companies in this area which have equal opportunity or women's groups and I'm quite envious.

They seem to bring with them so much energy and opportunity and no doubt their existence puts some people on notice, which can't be a bad thing.

I'm no stirrer, but I think issues of diversity just go over people's heads here and I'd like to think we could set up something. What advice can you offer on bringing the issue up gently? I'm quite impatient, which is why I'm asking.

Bringing up the issue gently and being impatient may not sit well together. If you really like the company you work for, then you may want to find one or two others for support in what is often a long-term development process for the organisation.

Speak to the HR manager or others in senior management who are concerned about the people side of the business.

You can also look for outside resources. You may want to start with the Equal Employment Opportunities Trust, which has a set of materials that can be used to evaluate EO issues in the company. Members of the trust may also be able to refer you to companies in your industry that are effective in this area.

If you are looking for a less male-dominated environment, you might form a small professional group in your company, seek mentorship from a senior woman manager, in another company if not your own, or join a professional women's group.

You may also want to make sure the environment that you see in the other companies really does exist.

* E-mail your questions for Dr Marie Wilson to answer.