It used to be that searching for a job meant “hitting the bricks,” walking from business to business, meeting and greeting potential employers.  And, while face-to-face contact is still key to finding your next job, the internet can be an important tool as well.

Most people are familiar with job posting websites like Monster.com.  This site provide lists of thousands of jobs in many different sectors.  But remember to check more specialized websites also, including industry association websites, websites related to a specific geographic area and the websites of local print publications.  These can all be good sources for job postings.

Image via CrunchBase

The internet can also be useful for learning about potential employers. Once you have generated a short list of the companies you would like to work at, use a site like Gist to track the latest happenings at the company.  Gist automatically gets the latest news, blog posts, and tweets for anyone in your professional network through a free account.  Then you can watch for latest developments within the company, learn of job transitions, and be prepared when an opportunity opens up.

Once you’ve gotten an interview, turn back to the internet for help.  Use networking sites like LinkedIn to prepare.  The site can help you learn about both the company and the individuals within.  You can even get connected to many companies through your existing network.

You must still impress the interview team, but the internet can help you in several ways as you move forward in your job search.