Job Search Strategies
There used to be a time when you could open up the paper to the classifieds, call the phone number attached to the job advertisement, and your first day of work would start tomorrow. Things are a little different today, but not a whole lot has changed. You still search the classifieds, except you go online instead of buying a newspaper. What you have to remember is that there is nothing wrong with a little bit of “old school” job searching. Finding work is a full time job all on its own. So here are some interesting and affective strategies to use when completing a job search.
The hidden job market is the second most important tool besides your resume you have, when you are looking for a job. You want to apply for the jobs that are not advertised. Just because a company has not released a job posting, it does not mean they don’t have a position to fill. It could be a simple case that the employer has been busy and has not had time to post a job description. If that is the case and you apply for the job first, he may not see any reason to look elsewhere.
An effective way to explore the hidden job market is cold calling. Opening up the yellow pages (the actual book or the website) and calling companies and letting them know that you are looking for work is an easy way to make an impression on a potential employer. Sending an e-mail could work, but you have a chance of actually speaking to someone in charge of hiring and getting an actual response if you call. Employer’s inbox’s are flooded with email every day, if you’re one in a million or end up in the spam folder, than you’re in trouble. You need find some courage and pick up the phone and call.
Remember that guy you sat next to in home room, or that girl you played softball with. Well now it’s time to go out and have a coffee and “catch up”. During your long awaited reunion try to subtly bring up the fact that you are unemployed, and that you have been working very hard trying to find a job. The sadder you can make it sound the better. Everybody wants to help out a friend, and your hope should be that her company is currently looking to hire someone and that she will pass on your resume. Networking is very important and you should tap into every network you’re apart of. Social media outlets can be a waste of time, but not when you are looking for work. Connect with people you think could help you find a job. An important rule of thumb; “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”.
When looking for work what you are essentially doing is; you are asking an employer to make an investment in you and pay you to complete a job. With that being said, you should think about investing your time in that company and volunteering. A great way to catch the eye of an employer is offering them free labour. Make sure you don’t beat around the bush. Say something like, “I understand that this is a competitive job market, so I would like to volunteer for you and maybe when a position opens up you may consider me for the job”. Unfortunately there is that chance that the employer would use you for your free labour and never hire you. You have to ask yourself “is it worth the risk”. If you are good at what you do, that employer would not want to risk losing you to a competitor and more than likely they would offer you a position within the company.
Another strategy that is not always affective, but can be used when time is of the essence is contacting potential job leads regularly. When cold calling or networking; ask if you can contact them in two weeks. Follow up with them bi weekly and show the employer that you are serious about wanting to land a job with that company. Again, this can backfire on you and you can be seen as a pest. It can also make you look eager and want the employer to take a chance on you. Employer’s receive calls and e-mails all the time; don’t be forgotten, keep reminding them who you are and that you are ready to work.
There are many different strategies you can use: Job fairs, business breakfasts, using different employment agencies, visiting job bank websites, looking at job boards, and many more. No matter what strategy you choose to use, make sure that you use your time productively and focus on finding a job. Finding work is usually harder than actually working. Good Luck!
