Using the Craigslist Search Feature

Find a job using the Craigslist search feature.

The popular website is actually a network of online communities featuring classified advertisements. Since 1996, when the web-based service first began, Craigslist has grown to a point where it now covers 50 countries. Whether you are a fan or a critic of Craigslist, I’m sure that most of you have visited the site and are pretty familiar with it.

Essentially, Craigslist is similar to the classified section of a newspaper where individuals can post advertisements or respond to current ads. Employers can post their jobs openings at a very low cost (free in some locations). That attracts job postings from small and mid-sized companies that might not be able to afford to advertise elsewhere. For this reason, Craigslist is sometimes referred to as the “invisible job market. ”

People hunting for jobs can browse a variety of available listings by selecting a location and a general category. To find the Craigslist you want, select your location from the list of links by country, state, and city found on the Craigslist home page.

Job advertisements are broken down into an assortment of subcategories to make it easier for users to search. Temporary, short-term jobs known as “gigs” have their own subcategory. These postings may include construction jobs, writing and editing, assignments for actors and artists, or working on an Information Technology (IT) project.

The Craigslist search feature can help you to refine your job search terms to find exactly what you are seeking. This may include using search criteria such as whether or not the job is a telecommute position, an internship, a contract position, part-time, or employment with a non-profit organization.

Sometimes the people posting the jobs may list them in a category you wouldn’t expect, so I suggest that you look through the main jobs category just to be sure that you don’t miss something that might be really interesting.

You can search Craigslist anywhere in the United States. Use this formula and your results will pull up jobs from all around the country.

Google the following: your search keywords site:*.craigslist.org

Replace the words “your search keywords” with your actual search term. In the following example I replaced “your search keywords” with “writing/editing jobs.”

Example: writing/editing jobs site:*.craigslist.org

When you answer a job posting, don’t rush. First of all, make sure that the job is legitimate. Take the time to read the entire posting so that you can respond appropriately. Did they specify how to reply to the job post? Did they request a writing sample, ask you to send your resume, or provide a link to a job application on their website?

Protect your privacy if you post your resume. Remember to guard your identity by limiting contact information and the personal details you disclose. Never divulge your bank account information or social security number. Keep your shields up and always use your best judgment.

Whether you are planning your second career or looking for a way to supplement your income, you can efficiently browse a wide selection of job postings using the Craigslist search feature.

I hope that today’s post has given you some ideas you can use! If you like what you read here, then please share my post with your friends on Facebook or perhaps Tweet it. Thanks for visiting!