Why it matters to you
The next time you’re looking for a new job, a simple Google search might be the best way to find relevant positions from across the web.
In the modern age, when there is something we need to know, we Google it — it is a one-stop shop for everything from how to cook the perfect scrambled eggs to last weekend’s football results. Now, a new update to the search engine might mean that you find your next job using the service, too.
Google will now pull job listings from various sources across the internet and present them to the user within the search interface. This functionality was first detailed at the company’s I/O conference in May.
Users will be able to use natural search terms like “jobs near me” and “teaching jobs” to find work, according to a report from Engadget. Their results will be offered up in a clean, information-rich interface that is packed with all the most relevant information, streamlining the ever-frustrating job hunt process.
Jobs are listed alongside their location, the site that the role has been advertised on, and how long it has been since the posting went live. There is also an icon that states whether the work is full-time or part-time and, where possible, there is an estimate of how long the user’s commute will take.
The service also integrates Google Alerts functionality to make sure that job hunters do not need to run a search every day to avoid missing out on the perfect role. Users can tie an alert to a particular search, so that they will receive an email notification whenever new jobs are added to the results.
In a post published on the Google Blog on Thursday, product manager Nick Zakrasek explains how the company is collaborating with some of the biggest job listing sites around to perfect this new service. Monster, LinkedIn, WayUp, DirectEmployers, CareerBuilder, Glassdoor, and Facebook are already on board.
“Monster is actively focused on helping candidates connect with the right job opportunities — faster and easier,” said Monster’s chief technology officer, Conal Thompson. “Our alliance with Google supports our ongoing efforts to reach more candidates wherever they are.”
Google will continue to expand the range of job listings included in this service over time. The company has already published open documentation intended to help job boards and direct employers alike make their openings visible via search results.