If you’re currently on the hunt for a job, you’re well aware of how time-consuming and exhausting the process can be. You can easily spend hours every day browsing endless lists of job postings, crafting compelling cover letters, filling out lengthy applications, and attending crowded networking events.
Securing a job is especially difficult if you’ve recently emigrated to Canada, you’ve graduated from college and lack work experience, or you’re switching careers.
One way to streamline and simplify your job search is to use a resource that compiles and presents thousands of opportunities all in one place. Monster is one such resource.
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What Is Monster?
Monster is an employment website that lists job postings. It maintains an extensive database of jobs, all of which job seekers can apply to at no cost.
Launched in April 1994, Monster was the first public job search website on the Internet. It also pioneered the concepts of public resume databases and job alerts, being the first to offer such services.
Initially, the website was a project of Adion, a human resources company, and operated under the brand name The Monster Board. Adion was subsequently acquired by TMP Worldwide, which went public in December 1996. In January 1999, following the merger of TMP Worldwide and Online Career Center, The Monster Board brand became known as Monster.com. TMP Worldwide entered the S&P 500 Index in 2002 and changed its name to Monster Worldwide, Inc. From there, the company embarked on an aggressive expansion campaign, adding various features to its platform and acquiring firms such as HotJobs and Jobr to complement its services. On August 9, 2016, Monster was purchased by Randstad Holding, and its shares were delisted from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
Today, millions of job seekers utilize Monster to find their ideal job. Its platform offers a wide range of resources and tools such as networking boards, resume reviews, information on employers, and a handy mobile app.
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Monster Job Search Features
Monster’s platform provides users with numerous helpful features to make it easy to search for jobs. These include:
Filters
You can filter search results by typing in a keyword or job title or by entering the location you’re looking for. This feature can help narrow your search results based on your desired criteria.
Salary Finder
This nifty tool allows you to research how much people earn for a particular job at a specific location. You can view the median salary, the lowest and highest salaries paid, and salaries for related jobs. The benefit of this tool is that you gain insight into what you can expect in terms of compensation; you can also use the data as leverage when negotiating your salary.
Job Alerts
The Job Alert feature enables you to receive job opportunities customized to your specifications. You’ll receive job postings in your email inbox relevant to you based on the criteria you provide. Monster will notify you of these opportunities as soon as they’re posted on its platform, saving you time and effort from constantly checking the website for updated listings.
Check out the job alert feature on Indeed.
Goals
This tool enables you to specify your career goals and describe the types of job opportunities you’re interested in pursuing. By filling out a few details, Monster will tailor your search results to your preferences, providing you with more relevant postings. As with Job Alerts, this feature can help you save time, as only relevant postings will be presented to you.
Email Subscriptions
This feature allows you to set up four different email subscriptions to resources and tools to aid in your job search. Here is a brief overview of the subscriptions and what they offer:
- Relevant job opportunities – you’ll receive job opportunities tailored to your career preferences, including Job Alert emails.
- Advice – you’ll receive helpful career search tips
- Monster updates – you’ll receive news about updates related to the Monster website, as well as your job search, profile, etc.
- SMS notifications – permits recruiters to send you text messages about job opportunities.
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Account Visibility
Using this feature, you can control the level of personal details that appear in employers’ search results. Changing your visibility status is helpful as it enables you to maintain the level of privacy you’re comfortable with. At the same time, you can provide just enough information for employers to initiate contact with you.
Auto Resume
This tool allows you to create a resume from scratch directly in Monster. Once you complete your profile, you can click the “Download PDF” button, which will organize your information into a formatted resume. This tool can save you the time and effort required to craft and format a presentable resume, allowing you to focus on your job search instead.
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READ ARTICLEHow To Create a Monster Account
To create your Monster account, follow these three steps:
- Click the Sign-up icon, which appears at the top right-hand corner of the Monster homepage.
- Sign in using your email address. You can also sign in using your Facebook, Google, or Apple account, provided your email address is the same for all of them.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to create your account.
After setting up your account, you can populate your profile with your contact information, skills, work experience, links to online portfolios, education, etc.
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How To Use The Monster App
Monster offers a mobile app that runs on both iOS and Android devices. The app functions much the same way as Monster’s website, allowing you to browse job postings and use the same features. A notable difference between the traditional website and app is the latter’s unique swipe feature, which lets you conveniently apply to job postings by swiping right.
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How To Find A Job Using Monster
When searching for work, it’s crucial to employ a sound strategy and present yourself in the best way possible to maximize your chance of securing a job. Adopting an unplanned, hit-or-miss approach will likely not get you closer to your goal.
Here are some tips to help make the most of your job hunt:
Update Your Cover Letter And Resume
Ensure you update your resume with your latest work experience, new skills you’ve acquired, and notable accomplishments. Include all your relevant experience, expertise, and achievements in your cover letter as well. Focus on what makes you stand out and describe how you can add value to employers rather than simply listing credentials and tasks you’ve performed at past companies. With more competition than ever, it’s crucial to know how to sell yourself using a resume and cover letter.
Filter Jobs Based On Your Career Goals
When venturing out into the job market, it’s vital to clarify for yourself the type of opportunity you’re seeking. Whether you’re searching online or offline, filter jobs based on your unique criteria. That way, you can avoid getting lost in a sea of meaningless, irrelevant job offers that will only hinder your progress.
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Take Advantage Of All Job Search Platforms
As with an investment portfolio, diversification is essential. Never rely on one source or platform for your job search needs. Broaden your efforts by using multiple job boards, attending career fairs, engaging in social networking, etc.
Perfect Your Interview Etiquette
A stellar resume and cover letter may attract employers’ interest, but it won’t be enough to land you a job. Your performance in the interview will ultimately be the deciding factor, which is why it’s critical to present yourself professionally and avoid committing any severe social blunders. Here are some tips to help polish your interview etiquette skills.
- Rehearse answers to common questions before the interview
- Conduct research on the company
- Dress appropriately
- Brush up on your body language.
- Ask the interviewer(s) questions.
- Follow up with a thank you letter or email
Monster FAQs
How do I stop Monster job alerts?
Will my Monster Profile be visible to employers?
- Visible to employers – permits employers to view your profile details when they’re searching for candidates.
- Hide name and contact information – permits employers to view your profile details when searching for candidates, but your name and contact information will remain hidden.
- Not visible to employers – prevents your profile details from appearing in employers’ search results.
How will an employer contact me on Monster?
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Final Thoughts
Though Monster’s dominance in the online job search industry has waned in recent years due to growing competition, it still provides many valuable job opportunities and is worth exploring. Monster’s platform offers a wide range of features and profile customization options that can help you align your job search with your career goals and preferences. As with most online job boards, it’s free to create an account, so you have nothing to lose by creating a profile and taking the platform for a test drive.
