Searching for employment can be stressful, whether you are new to the job market, need to make a change or are unemployed. Although you can find pages and pages of advice with an online search, there are some simple tips that are actually pretty simple that can help you find a job with less stress.

Companies today are using online applications for openings and this can be very frustrating. When you complete an online application, an applicant tracking system screens all the resumes received and chooses the ones that will actually be seen by a human being. If the company is large, that human being may be the lowest level HR recruiter who may not know all the nuances of the job that is open. That means your resume and application must not only grab the attention of a compute algorithm but also that of someone who will not be hiring you. When you review a job description online, include actual words and phrases from the description in your resume. For example, if a description includes “Organizing records for review by upper management,” your resume should include the words “organized records” somewhere in your employment information or strengths section. The more you can use keywords found in the description, the more likely your resume will be grabbed by the computer and noticed by the HR recruiter.

It is easy to just keep sending off those online applications but many people seeking employment are finding that online applications are not enough. If there is a position you feel you are highly qualified for, visit their location. Make yourself known to other employees and request a meeting with an internal recruiter. You don’t want to make a nuisance of yourself but talk to the recruiter about what they are looking for, ask about the position and mention some of your strengths. This may put you on the radar of people who would be willing to give you an interview. You can also stop into the place of business, introduce yourself and mention that you had submitted an online application. This may encourage a hiring officer to search for the application among the many they receive online.

Consider career training when you are searching for a position, especially if you have been out of the job market for some time. Many state unemployment offices offer resume building, interview skill training and other career training workshops at no cost to residents. You may need to have a professional review your resume to polish it for you. They may even offer workshops that show you how to create unique resumes for each job opening you want to apply for using keywords and other methods that get past application screening software.

If you are in an industry and want to move up to a more leadership role, you may want to invest in job training. This does not mean you need to return to college for a degree but simply take a few courses in your industry to gain additional skills and knowledge. Many industry-specific organizations offer continuing education courses designed to provide updates in their industry that could be used for job training purposes. This also shows upper management that you are willing to go the extra step in order to advance in the company.

If you are currently looking for job search related services, visit EmployeeandMemberDiscounts.com to see what savings are available. You may find discounts on resume building workshops or job placement services that were previously only available to members of certain organizations or employees of specific industries. There is no membership fee and you can begin saving immediately simply by filling out the easy form online.