Jobs
by Email
Dateline: 09/15/97
The debate
rages on as to what comprises intelligent search agents. The experts can't seem to agree on exactly
what qualifies search agents as "intelligent," nor can they settle on something as simple
as a name. They're also called searchbots, Web spiders, knowbots, softbots, taskbots, userbots,
personal agents, Internet agents, autonomous agents, and variations thereof. Nevertheless, with the
ever-increasing complexity of the Web, intelligent agents are becoming very
popular. So much so, they have an organization all their own. The recently-formed Agent
Society facilitates technologies, applications, standards, markets and collaboration, so maybe
they'll straighten it all at soon.
Intelligent agents are made up of software code that automatically scans and returns information from databases, based on search criteria we mere mortals provide. You may know agents as search engines, but intelligent agents are more than that. Even Yahoo now offers the agent My Yahoo, which you may tailor to suit your interests. Some intelligent agents check and update your bookmarks automatically, while others even "learn" what your interests are by following you around the Web. Pretty scary, but if you're an information junkie, they save you time and free you up to leave your virtual life for a real life outside of cyberspace. If you're a job seeker, they find jobs quicker than you can by browsing with your mouse pointer.
While the experts debate and the societies form, job sites are jumping on the bandwagon by incorporating intelligent agents into their job searching services, and they have come up with some rather creative synonyms of their own: Personal Job Search Agent, JobAlert, and Personal Job Scout to name three. Job searching has never been easier! All you do is complete an online form, and away goes the agent to find jobs for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week, even while you're offline. It never gets sick, doesn't need caffeine to stay awake, and won't demand overtime pay. It even sends its search results to your email address, your on-site personal in-box, or both. Some sites allow you to create multiple agent profiles, so you may search for different job locations, disciplines, etc.
To get the most out of your jobs-by-email agents, be sure to properly target your profile. In fact, nail it on the head if possible. For example, if you are a Microsoft-Certified Windows NT Trainer, don't create a search for trainer alone, or you may end up with endless lists of jobs for animal trainers, aerobics trainers, and all sorts of other odds and ends. Instead, search specifically for Microsoft Certified Windows NT Trainer, or at least Microsoft Certified Trainer or Windows NT Trainer. Profile forms may not allow you to get that specific on the job title, but you might be able to piece together a resemblance with a combination of drop-down boxes, check boxes, keyword and other types of search fields. You might want to create separate agents for MCP Trainer, Microsoft Instructor, and other variations.
See Jobs by Email to give job agents a try for free, or look for the option at your favorite job sites. Many newspapers are also jumping on the agent bandwagon, so you may want to check the online employment classifieds of your local newspapers. If you want to check out other types of agents, see Internet Agents at Stroud's CWSApps™, where you'll find in-depth evaluations and links to commercial, shareware, and trial-version agents that live on your computer.
Comments, suggestions or questions? Want to network and discuss technical job searching, employment, and careers with others? Go to the chat room or bulletin board, both open 24 hours daily.
Clipart courtesy of Corel Corporation.
Copyright © 1997, J. Steven Niznik. All Rights Reserved.