RESTON, Va., Jan. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- This month, an unprecedented number
of job seekers are hitting the Internet in search of their dream job: in fact,
the Internet has become a "must" for any job search.  That's why CareerBuilder
(Nasdaq: CDBR), the leading provider of targeted interactive recruiting on the
Web, is offering some valuable advice to help job seekers take full advantage
of the Internet.
    Consider the facts.  Companies are increasingly taking advantage of online
recruiting spending $1.7 billion in online recruiting by 2003, according to
Forrester Research.  Nearly 50 percent of global FORTUNE 500 companies are
actively recruiting on the Internet.  Similarly, 90 percent of employers use
the Internet to find job candidates.
    At the same time, the Internet can work against a job search -- if used
improperly.  By following CareerBuilder's tips below, a job seeker will enjoy
the benefits of the Internet, while avoiding the pitfalls.
    CareerBuilder's Top Tips for Job Seekers Searching Online:

    1.  Don't send resumes to potential employers as an attached file.
Instead, paste the text into the body of an e-mail message. Most employers
ignore attachments because they worry about viruses, and often file
attachments are not compatible with their programs.

    2.  Use the subject line of your first e-mail as a tool to capture the
employer's attention:  HR managers receive literally dozens -- if not several
hundred -- electronic resumes each day, giving them little if any time to
review each e-mail. That's why the subject of line of your e-mail -- often the
only part of your e-mail that is read -- is perhaps the most valuable real
estate of all.  Use the subject line to quickly position yourself in terms of
skills or suitability for a particular position. It could be the difference
between the HR manager reading or deleting your message. If you're submitting
a resume to a database, include a description of your skills in the subject
line.

    3.  Don't use fancy fonts for formatting. Boldface, italics and
highlighted type can be lost or rejected when sent to a company's database
that automatically scans for key words. Always use simple-text format in the
body of the e-mail message.

    4.  Always use a private, non-work e-mail address. You will be treading on
thin ice if you use the e-mail account set up by your current employer. Your
work e-mail should be treated like an office memo -- the information on it is
not confidential and is the property of your employer, and they have the power
to view it at any time.

    5.  Know your industry's lingo and use key word constructions. Remember
that your dream job may not be exactly how you phrase it. By knowing the
terminology used in your field and choosing broad terms to include in your
resume, an e-cruiter or a database scanner will be more likely to notice your
resume.

    6.  Know who and where you are sending your resume. Beware of the cloaked
job openings that do not list their company name. Answer specific job postings
only, and avoid spamming your resume across the Internet. An overexposed
resume makes a job seeker look desperate. Keep in mind that if you establish
your own resume URL, mining tools can obtain your information and make it more
public than you want.

    7.  Don't let search firms con you into paying for job listings. The best
sites, including CareerBuilder, supply job openings free-of-charge to the job
seeker. The only time you should consider paying a fee is to a professional
society that enables you to access an audience that would otherwise be
difficult to reach.

    8.  Check your non-work e-mail regularly. Your private e-mail account
should be checked at least twice daily for any interest from e-cruiters. As
soon as you receive a message from a potential employer, respond quickly.
Waiting even 24 hours could result in a missed opportunity.

    9.  If you put your resume in a resume database, make sure you can block
your current employer from seeing your submission.

    10.  In closing, do what you love.  Get your resume geared up so you're
ready to do what's best for you.  After all, 17 million workers will quit to
take on other jobs this year, up six million from five years ago according to
"US News & World Report."

    About CareerBuilder, Inc.:
    CareerBuilder, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBDR) is the leading provider of targeted
interactive recruiting on the Web with over 1.5 million unique monthly
visitors to its CareerBuilder Network.  With CareerBuilder.com and its Mega
Job Search (SM) technology, job seekers have the ability to access more than
two million career postings-practically every job on the Internet-as well as
insightful career advice.  The CareerBuilder Network consists of
CareerBuilder.com, the company's flagship career center and its 27 partner
affiliates including MSN.COM, Business Week, USA TODAY, NBC Interactive and
Ticketmaster Online CitySearch. The company's 1000 subscriber customers
include GTE, AOL, Merrill Lynch and EDS. CareerBuilder products and services
are sold directly and through Automatic Data Processing (ADP). CareerBuilder
is headquartered in Reston, Va. and has additional offices nationwide. For
more information about the company, visit http://www.careerbuilder.com.
    CareerBuilder is a registered trademark of CareerBuilder, Inc.  Mega Job
Search is a service mark of CareerBuilder. All other trademarks mentioned in
this document are the property of their respective owners.

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