A few years ago, the availability of online job posting sites seemed to make matching potential employees and employers easier. Today, however, the frustration of not even receiving a call back from employers contacted through job search boards has many in the market claiming that they simply do not work.

The problem is not with online boards themselves, but with the relative lack of positions and the glut of qualified applicants. Several years ago having sites that spanned postings for multiple industries made sense. In a more fluid job market, corporations were interested in receiving as many applications as they could, and in exploring the possibilities of less conventional new hires. Now companies are focusing on low risk employees that require the least training.

This doesn’t necessarily mean job seekers shouldn’t send their resumes out as broadly. Instead, they need to acknowledge this trend of tighter focus by having multiple resumes tailored specifically to each type of position they apply for, or even to individual companies. Because human resources departments are narrowing the large field of applicants to sure bets rather than those with the greatest potential, tailored resumes attract the most interest. Also, finding industry niche sites that offer job postings or applying directly with a company online may increase their chances of being considered.