Hint #1. They will throw random garbage at you.
While they seem to have a bit more fine-tuned algorithm than most job search services, they will still throw a ton of useless listing. They won’t consider tech you don’t know (and offer no way to tell them). They seem to want to throw React in as a required skill for listings that never, ever mention it. So read through the listing carefully.
Hint #2. Always click the “X” to remove the listing!
Unless you tell them otherwise, they will continue to show listings you’ve rejected or already applied for. Dismiss each one, once you’re finished. It will make the future listings slightly more efficient.
Hint #3. If you apply, tell them.
Unless it’s a “one-click apply” you’ll be sent to another web site. When you return, there will be a new element, asking if you applied. Let them know, so they can then fine-tune the listings based on that. (They will throw you a modal, asking to redo the current search. If you click yes, then you can’t dismiss the current listing, and it will be shown to you again)
Hint #4. Note the bottom text!
At the bottom of each listing (in the left pane) it will say something like, “Promoted” or “1 day ago”. If it’s “promoted” it means they’ve been paid to show it, which means it’s value to you is more than likely less than non-promoted listing. Don’t completely ignore them, but it may be more efficient to go with non-promoted listing first.
Hint #5. Scroll to the bottom (of the right pane) to see the skills match.
Toward the bottom of the right pane is the “Qualification” section. It will say something like “8 of 10 skills match your profile”. If there are more missing than included, I generally dismiss it and don’t waste time. However, it’s a good idea to check (the actual list is a link to the full list of skills) and see if some of the missing skills, you actually have. Some are vague, some are for specific skills that have vague name. Add those that apply.
Hint #6. Don’t ignore listings for other job search services.
You’ll see a lot of Robert Half, Patterned Learning Center, Dice, RemoteWorker, etc. Most of these are specific listings, which you’ll want to check out. Occasional they will (and sometimes even tell you) that they are merely gathering resumes for their own purposes.
Hint #7. “Engineer” now seems to be a catch-all noun for anything techy-techy
I suspect that many of these companies hire someone to come up with confusing job titles. it used to be an engineer was a specific type of job, but more and more I see it used for job that have absolutely nothing at all to do with engineering. So coders are now “engineers” and designers are also “engineers”.
Hint #8. Don’t get discouraged.
All the nonsense that’s tossed at you by the job site; the potential employers; the idiots they hired to write job descriptions, these will build up and make you want to give up. Take a deep breath, go do something less stressful for a few minutes, but then get back to your job search. And, if you land a job where one day they ask you to write up a job description, be cool and don’t be a jerk like some of these people seem to be. (Seriously what does C# have to do with WordPress?!?)
