How to be your own online recruitment agent

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"Job hunting can be done very effectively from home, and little more than a cell phone is required," Claire Cobbledick, head of Marketing of Gumtree South Africa. "All it takes is a little know-how."

Get an email address

"Most employers prefer to conduct the application process via email - so signing up for a free Gmail account is a great first step. Keep this email address as professional as possible - avoid nicknames or slang phrases."

Don't search too broadly

"Do not attempt to scroll through every single job posting online - on Gumtree, there are 60,000 jobs at any given time, so it's important to rule out as many as possible to make your search easier. Start by narrowing your search to the province and suburb you are able to travel to. Then narrow your search to the type of position you would want - part-time, full-time, contract. From there on, you should focus on the industry you'd be keen to work in. That way, you are more likely to find a position that will fit in with your lifestyle and requirements."

Do set up a job alert

Even if you've applied for a number of positions, there are no guarantees. The best way to make sure you stay ahead of other applicants is to set up a job alert. "Job alerts do exactly that - they are email alerts that are sent to your inbox with a list of new job ads in your area and field of interest. Make an effort to log in regularly to see whether or not you've received new job alerts."

Make sure that you have a professional CV and supporting documents on hand

"Your CV is your passport to finding the job of your dreams, which is why you have to put a lot of care and effort into it," says Cobbledick. "Depending on the position, the prospective employer might ask for a specific format, such as a one-page CV, a two-page CV or a CV with a cover letter. Keep different versions on hand, but write your cover letters individually. If you aren't sure of how to do this, consult an online resource centre for templates and suggestions."

Create a job seeker profile

"There is no harm in creating a job seeker ad for yourself," says Cobbledick. "In fact, this can be a great way to market yourself and give people insight into who you are. Companies don't hire a list of qualifications - they hire people! You can link this ad to your social media profiles, upload a photograph and tell people a little bit about your personality."

Gumtree partners like Harambee also have programmes for young people looking for their first job. Applicants can apply by sending a 'Please call' me to +27 073 998 6324.

Share and share alike

The great thing about creating a job seeker ad or profile is that you can share it with others via social media. "It's a good way to ensure that as many people as possible see that you are looking, and what you are looking for," says Cobbledick.

Lastly, she advises that candidates never give up. "Don't be afraid to start from the bottom and build up experience, but never give up. It's very rare to find your dream job on the first try, and your definition of what a dream job is will change over time. The good news is that the online world has made it much easier to keep abreast of trends and new opportunities - make sure that you do!"