Using the web
Most of your job seeking activity will involve websites, such as Universal Jobmatch, your web-based email, and job search sites like Indeed.
In order to visit websites you need to use a browser, such as Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox or Safari. You are using a browser to view this website. Do you know which browser you are using?
In order to visit websites you need to use a browser, such as Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox or Safari. You are using a browser to view this website. Do you know which browser you are using?
With Windows 10, Microsoft have abandoned Internet Explorer in favour of a new browser called Edge
All browsers have an address bar at the top of the screen. If you know the web address (URL) of the site you want to visit, type it into the address bar, and press the enter key on the keyboard. You will be taken to the chosen web site.You don't need to type the http(s):// or the www.
Modern browsers also have a tab bar. You can have several web pages open simultaneously. To open a new tab click after the last tab.
Here are the tab and address bars in Chrome, Firefox and Edge
Modern browsers also have a tab bar. You can have several web pages open simultaneously. To open a new tab click after the last tab.
Here are the tab and address bars in Chrome, Firefox and Edge
Tab and address bars in Edge
Once you're at the chosen website, you will see that your pointer changes shape as you move it. Sometimes it is an arrow, sometimes it is an 'I' beam, and sometimes it is a pointing hand. The hand shows you that you are on a hyperlink. If you click the left mouse button once, you will be taken to another part of the website, or to another site. To return to the previous page click the back button to the left of the address bar.
Searching the web
Often, you will want to look for information from the web, without knowing which site has the information. You will then need to use a search engine.
The best known search engine is Google. There are many more though:
DuckDuckGo - does not track users as Google does
Ecosia - claims that 80% of the profits go to saving rainforest
Bing - Microsoft's search engine
When you enter a search site you will see a search box. Before you start typing anything, take a moment to plan your search. What are the three to six key words that will get you to the specific information you want? Type these words in the search box and press the enter key on the keyboard.
The search results will appear, usually in the 'ten blue links per page' format. Look down the results and decide which looks the most useful. Click on the blue link to open the site. Use the back button on the browser (the left pointing arrow to the far left of the address bar) to return to the search results.
The best known search engine is Google. There are many more though:
DuckDuckGo - does not track users as Google does
Ecosia - claims that 80% of the profits go to saving rainforest
Bing - Microsoft's search engine
When you enter a search site you will see a search box. Before you start typing anything, take a moment to plan your search. What are the three to six key words that will get you to the specific information you want? Type these words in the search box and press the enter key on the keyboard.
The search results will appear, usually in the 'ten blue links per page' format. Look down the results and decide which looks the most useful. Click on the blue link to open the site. Use the back button on the browser (the left pointing arrow to the far left of the address bar) to return to the search results.
The first few results from a search on DuckDuckGo