A Job Seeker’s Guide to Craigslist
It’s not just for used furniture anymore. Craigslist hosts hundreds of job opportunities in a wide variety of fields. Here are a few tips for making the best use of the site:
Know the difference between jobs and gigs.
Jobs are full-time or part-time positions that are usually long-term, and gigs are freelance opportunities that are usually short-term. Depending on your career goals, both sections can be useful. At least for your first few visits to the site, check both jobs and gigs in your field, just to see what’s out there. Getting a decent short-term gig can tide you over until a full-time position comes along and can also boost your resume.
Narrow your location.
If you’ve used Craigslist before, you have likely already selected your city, but did you know you can hone in on a specific neighborhood in many major cities? At the very top of the website, your city will be listed. It will be followed by abbreviations for various neighborhoods in the area. If you select one of these, you will be able to search only opportunities close to home.
Select two or three fields.
To get the most out of Craigslist, you should check it on a daily basis. You can make this task less daunting by selecting a few specific fields that best fit your skills and interests. If there is any particular search terms you would like to use or options you would like selected (such as telecommute or non-profit,) fill in this information, and then bookmark the page. Now, instead of taking the time to enter the terms or locate the correct page, you can simply click on your handy link and see the latest relevant updates.
Consider the resumes section.
Even in this lackluster economy, recruiters are on the internet looking for people to hire, and Craigslist is one site they can search. This can be useful to you if you want a job in a specific location. However, if you’re looking for jobs throughout the United States or the world, it may be less valuable because your resume will be tied to a single location on the site. Remember, NEVER include any sensitive information on Craigslist. For your safety, you may even want to remove your name, phone number, and address. Instead, you can use their anonymous email address to get in touch with potential employers, and make sure they are legit before you get in contact. Be sure to include a descriptive and professional headline to entice headhunters to click.
Use the site to network!
Make use of the Community section to connect with others in your field. You can find information about events taking place or groups you can join. If you have hobbies, you can also locate people who share similar interests and broaden your network that way.
Beware of scams.
Because posting jobs to Craigslist is inexpensive (or in some cities even free) many smaller companies with unique opportunities can be found on the site, but it also means that the website is host to many scams, so be careful! Never give out bank account numbers, credit card information, or your social security number for a job opportunity. And be wary of any interviews that take place in a private residence. Instead, ask to meet in a public place like a coffee shop. If something doesn’t feel right, consider bringing a friend along or walk away entirely. Craigslist offers some advice on avoiding scams in the left column, and you can also read more tips for spotting fraud in How to Avoid Job Scams.
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