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11 expert tips

We asked job-search experts to share their tips for success on the Web. Here are 11 of their best hints:

1. Apply to jobs you qualify for. Just because you can easily send a résumé to every job you find, don’t. It wastes your time and the recruiter’s.

2. Refine your search. Use effective keywords. Take advantage of a site’s advanced search options to narrow the possibilities. Some sites send e-mail alerts when a new job matches your criteria.

3. Save searches. You save time and ensure a thorough search every time you return to a site.

4. Act quickly. Apply to a job as soon as it’s posted to raise your chances of being noticed.

5. Customize your résumé. Résumés and cover letters formulated for specific postings are still important. Research a company to link your skills with a prospective employer’s needs.

6. Spread your search around. Using only a few Web sites in your job search limits the results. Your perfect job could be waiting unnoticed on a small, industry-specific site as you perform the same searches on the big sites day after day.

7. Beware of scams. Not every posting is legitimate. Regard work-from-home, envelope stuffing jobs as particularly suspect. Use caution if a job sounds too good to be true.

8. Polish your résumé. Print your cover letter and resume and proofread each document carefully before sending it. It could look different in printed form than it does on your computer screen. Repeat this process until you can’t find anything else to improve.

9. Use the right tools. If you’re applying for a job online, don’t type responses directly into the application’s answer field. Use your word processing software, and check for spelling and grammar errors. Once you’re sure it’s clean, copy and paste your response.

10. Refresh your résumé frequently. You’ll learn things during the course of your job hunt that could help fine-tune your résumé. Every two weeks, go to the sites where your résumé is posted to update it. You often can also find out how many times employers have viewed it.

11. Be accessible. Recruiters are dealing with many, many resumes. If you’re not easy to reach, you could be passed over for the next qualified candidate. Include a phone number where you can be reached during the day.