JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES AND TOOLS
You are now ready to put your job search campaign into action. But what is the best way to reach the people who have the power to hire you? Know the four basic job search strategies, and spend most of your time on those most likely to result in a job.
Each of the four basic job search strategies has a different success rate:
NETWORKING (using the network of contacts you already know, developing new contacts) is 70%;
USING AGENCIES 20%; ANSWERING ADS 5%; THE DIRECT APPROACH 5%.
Networking
Networking is so successful because it helps you find the unpublished, or “hidden” job openings. Until a job opening appears in the newspapers or company posting sheet, it is unpublished. Think of your experience in your own company. Did not the staff often know about upcoming openings in the department long before they were published?
The first thing supervisors do when they need a new staff member is ask their employees and acquaintances if they know of someone qualified and reliable. You want that someone to be you. You can increase your chances by discussing your job search with friends, relatives, and co-workers, and asking them to introduce you to people in their companies.
How to Use Job Search Networking to Find a Job
By Alison Doyle, About.com Guide
Even though job search networking is one of the most successful ways to find a new job, it can sound intimidating and sometimes seems a little bit scary. It doesn’t have to be. My father ended up in a conversation on an airplane with someone who was looking for an aeronautical engineering job. My dad happened to be in the same field and ended up assisting the person in getting a new job. Sometimes, that’s all it takes. I’ve been offered jobs on more than one occasion simply because a friend or acquaintance knew my background and skills.
Informal Job Search Networking
Try job search networking, it really does work. At least 60% – some report even higher statistics – of all jobs are found by networking. Develop contacts – friends, family, neighbors, college alumni, people in associations – anyone who might help generate information and job leads. You can take a direct approach and ask for job leads or try a less formal approach and ask for information and advice. Contact everyone you know. You may be surprised by the people they know. Make yourself pick up the phone and call. It helps to assign yourself a quota of calls to be made each day. The more phone calls you make the easier it will become.
Email is a perfectly acceptable way to network as well. Keep your message brief and to the point and be sure to check your spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
If you are attending a holiday gathering or any other type of party, it is appropriate to mention in casual conversation that you are seeking employment. Accept all the invitations you receive – you never know where or when you might meet someone who can provide job search assistance! My stepson was not only offered a co-op position by one of my friends that he met at a birthday party at our house, he was also remembered a year later when the company was hiring.
Formal Job Search Networking
Formal networking works too – try going to a business social or an association meeting or event. You’ll find that many of the participants have the same goals you do and will be glad to exchange business cards. If you’re shy, volunteer to work at the registration table where you can greet people as they come in or bring a friend to walk around the room with you – there’s security in numbers.
As well as networking the old fashioned way, use the internet to network. Visit discussion boards like the Job Search Forum to network with career professionals and other job seekers. Use Vault’s message boards or visit one of the sites, like LinkedIn, that focus on online job search and career networking.
If you belong to a professional association visit its web site for career assistance. Are you a college alumnus? Contact the Career Services office at your alma mater – many universities have online career networks where you can find alumni who will be thrilled to help you. http://jobsearch.about.com/cs/networking/a/networking network: letters, professional/social.
Using Agencies
Employment agencies can be a useful part of your job search. When choosing an agency, try to get a personal recommendation from someone you trust who has had a good experience at that agency. There are permanent and temporary agencies.
Answering Ads
While this is not the most effective job search, there is always the chance it could lead to a job. Two types of ads:
OPEN ADS: which list company name with address and person to contact. You can actually follow up yourself on your resume.
BLIND ADS: These are even ‘lower yield’ than open ads. They don’t reveal the contact information for the company or organization.
You may find published openings in Sunday or daily newspapers, local or weeklies, professional or trade publications, business papers, school/university job listings, bulletin boards in community centers, and government publications.
THE DIRECT APPROACH
This method includes three kinds of ‘cold’ contacts:
- Contacting someone to find out what jobs are open and how to apply.
- Calling agencies, even though they haven’t run ads in the papers.
- Writing letters to hiring personnel to get information on job opportunities.
http://www.jobhuntersbible.com/ Richard Bolles incorporates Net guide (his mega list of job resources online) with many of the self assessment and tips from his bestseller: What Color is Your Parachute. An excellent resource.
http://www.LinkUp.com lists current job openings;
http://jobsearch.about.com/cs/networking/a/networking
Information below is from the about.com site and much more as you go into it.
How to Find Connections at Companies
Start by searching your LinkedIn Connections to see who you know at a company. Search by keyword or click on Companies to see a list of companies where you have contacts.
Next, click on the Companies section of LinkedIn. Then you’ll be able to search by company name. Scroll down to see who you are connected with at the company.
Also, search the Groups Directory by keyword. Many companies have Groups you can join. Once you’re a member you will be able to interact with the other group members.
SimplyHired: LinkedIn and Facebook
Job search engine SimplyHired’s Who Do I Know Feature allows job seekers to connect directly from a SimplyHired.com job listing to their LinkedIn network to find out if they have contacts at a company. Clicking on the Who Do I Know button at the top of the search results will give you an in-line view of your connections without having to leave Simply Hired.
SimplyHired also has a way for job seekers to see Facebook Friends at companies. To get started, simply click on Log On to Facebook when you visit SimplyHired.com. You’ll see your Facebook friends at the top of the page when you search for jobs, plus, you’ll see your LinkedIn connections on the right side of the page next to individual job postings.
