Use the Web to search for jobs and to get a realistic assessment of local salaries. ZDNet offers these ten tips to get you started.
Tip 1.
Search trade and online publications for their survey data, and conduct your own surveys by responding to job postings on the Web and contacting people online who are doing the job you want to do.
Tip 2.
Build a Web site to showcase your Web skills. It's a great way to get real-world experience working with the HTML, creating Java applets, programming in Dynamic HTML, and using video and audio content.
Tip 3.
Create an electronic copy of your resume. It's the very least you can do. If you don't have one, you won't be taken seriously by online companies.
Tip 4.
Just as you would for any job, be sure to research the companies you're interested in working for. Know what they sell, and to whom. Check their financial health, and track stock prices for public companies. Check recent news coverage of the company and take a look at their press releases to learn their current business strategies.
Tip 5.
Join online discussion groups to hone your technical knowledge, get the inside scoop on different employers, and make contacts that may lead to recommendations--or even job offers.
Tip 6.
If you're a programmer, work on your communication skills. It's important to be able to tell prospective employers about your accomplishments--and good communication displays management potential.
Tip 7.
Continue your education. Computer classes at any level are a great place to meet people on the same career path. Ask them where they work, and if they like their job.
Tip 8.
Surf to network. The Internet is a great way to learn about gatherings in your area, from company parties to job fairs to meetings of professional associations. There's no substitute for meeting face to face, especially for less technical jobs.
Tip 9.
If you're studying Web authoring and design, do an internship with the kind of company you'd like to work for. The experience will teach you the difference between a homework assignment and a deliverable, says InterWorld recruiter Howard Barnowitz.
Tip 10.
Follow your dream. Working on the Web requires a lot of enthusiasm and willingness to constantly update your skills. The industry, the applications, the companies, and the job descriptions are constantly changing. Make sure you're genuinely interested in what you're doing and willing to put up with the pace and the uncertainty.
