Remember the 1990s? Internet companies were everywhere. Web businesses flourished, and so Internet employment. But then, suddenly, things changed.
The dot-com bust eliminated many Internet companies; it did not, however, eliminate Internet jobs. In fact, as recently as 2005, the number of Internet users worldwide was nearly triple what it was in 2000. And with more connected consumers, companies need to create more Internet jobs than ever to serve them. That means a wealth of Internet job opportunities for job seekers.
Whether you run an online company or a brick-and-mortar business, you need Internet employment to carry you into the 21st century. A few of the Internet jobs you might need to fill are:
1. Project manager.
2. Web producer.
3. Web designer.
4. Web editor.
5. Programmer.
6. Online ad sales rep.
7. Internet marketing director.
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Assess which Internet jobs you need to fill
Depending on the size of your company—and the scope of its online business—you might need to fill just one Internet job opportunity or several.
I recommend: Software engineers, system administrators, database administrators and system analysts are among the fastest growing Internet jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Its annual
Occupational Outlook Handbook can help you learn more about Internet job opportunities; review WetFeet’s guide to
Internet & New Media first to learn more about individual Internet jobs that you can look up in the handbook.
Advertise Internet jobs on Internet sites
If you have an Internet job opportunity to publicize, the ideal place to post it is, of course, on Internet employment sites.
I recommend: Consider posting Internet job opportunities on Internet job boards such as
JustTechJobs.com,
ComputerJobs.com and
ComputerWork.com, which specialize in Internet employment. Another option is using
Internet employment agencies like those at Business.com.
Hire for project manager and producer Internet jobs
Project managers and Web producers guide online projects from start to finish, making sure your team works together to complete projects in whole and on time.
I recommend: The
Web Producers Organization is a professional community of Web producers and interactive project managers where you can post Internet jobs.
Fill content creator Internet jobs
Content creator jobs on Internet sites include Web editors, creative directors and writers—all the folks you need in order to fill your site with words.
I recommend: Creative job sites such as
MediaBistro are a great place to find Internet-savvy wordsmiths that are looking for Internet employment.
Offer job opportunities for a Web designer and a programmer
Even the smallest companies need to fill one Internet jobs slot: capable Web designer. Look for someone with a strong design background, but also someone who’s tech-savvy enough to handle basic Webmaster duties, such as server and security maintenance. Designers who know HTML, Flash and Java can save you money by wearing a programmer’s hat, as well.
I recommend: WebDesignPlaza.com is a searchable directory of Web designers that makes finding and recruiting design talent easy. If you can’t afford to have a full-time designer on staff, find a reliable freelancer at
FreelanceDesigners.
More necessary jobs: Internet marketers and salespeople
An Internet marketer can help you build an online brand while successfully marketing your business on the Web. Internet sales staff, meanwhile, can find extra income for your business by selling banner ads for your Web site.
I recommend: Associations such as the
Direct Marketing Association and niche recruiters such as
Aquent can connect you with viable candidates looking for Internet employment via online advertising jobs, Internet marketing positions, etc.
Evaluate candidates’ credentials for Internet employment
Most Internet jobs require highly technical skills; don’t fill an Internet job opportunity until you’ve been able to test and assess those skills.
I recommend: Look for candidates with Internet degrees or strong portfolios of Web-related work. Candidates with
Certified Internet Web,
WOW or other training credentials, such as those from
Web education programs listed at Business.com, are especially strong.
Make your Internet employment offer
Be prepared to negotiate with high-quality candidates for Internet job opportunities, as their expertise is in especially high demand in the Information Age.
I recommend: Visit
Salary.com or use the
Internet industry salary tools listed at Business.com to find out what other companies are paying for Internet employment.
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