 |
  "Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans"
John Lennon.
Job Search Methods
Personal contacts. Your family, friends, and acquaintances may offer one of the most effective ways to find a job. They may help you directly or put you in touch with someone else who can. Such networking can lead to information about specific job openings, many of which may not be publicly posted.
School career planning and placement offices. High school and college placement offices help their students and alumni find jobs. They set up appointments and allow recruiters to use their facilities for interviews. Placement offices usually have a list of part-time, temporary, and summer jobs offered on campus. They also may have lists of jobs for regional, nonprofit, and government organizations. Students can receive career counseling and testing and job search advice. At career resource libraries, they may attend workshops on such topics as job search strategy, resume writing, letter writing, and effective interviewing; critique drafts of resumes and watch videotapes of mock interviews; explore files of resumes and references; and attend job fairs conducted by the placement office.
Employers. Through your library and Internet research, develop a list of potential employers in your desired career field. Employer Web sites often contain lists of job openings. Websites and business directories can provide you with information on how to apply for a position or whom to contact. Even if no open positions are posted, do not hesitate to contact the employer and the relevant department. Set up an interview with someone working in the same area in which you wish to work. Ask them how they got started, what they enjoy or dislike about the work, what type of qualifications are necessary for the job, and what type of personality succeeds in that position. Even if they don't have a position available, they may be able to put you in contact with other people who might hire you, and they can keep you in mind if a position opens up. Make sure to send them your resume and a cover letter. If you are able to obtain an interview, be sure to send a thank-you note. Directly contacting employers is one of the most successful means of job hunting.
Classified ads. The "Help Wanted" ads in newspapers list numerous jobs. You should realize, however, that many other job openings are not listed, and that the classified ads sometimes do not give all of the important information. They may offer little or no description of the job, working conditions, or pay. Some ads do not identify the employer. They may simply give a post office box to which you can mail your resume, making followup inquiries very difficult. Some ads offer out-of-town jobs; others advertise employment agencies rather than actual employment opportunities.
When using classified ads, keep the following in mind:
- Do not rely solely on the classifieds to find a job; follow other leads as well.
- Answer ads promptly, because openings may be filled quickly, even before the ad stops appearing in the paper.
- Read the ads every day, particularly the Sunday edition, which usually includes the most listings.
- Beware of "no experience necessary" ads. These ads often signal low wages, poor working conditions, or commission work.
- Keep a record of all ads to which you have responded, including the specific skills, educational background, and personal qualifications required for the position.
- Internet networks and resources. The Internet provides a variety of information, including job listings and job search resources and techniques. However, no single Web site or resource will contain all of the information available on employment or career opportunities, so be prepared to search for what you need. Remember that job listings may be posted by field or discipline, so begin your search using keywords. Some Web sites provide national or local classified listings and allow jobseekers to post their resumes online. Other sites offer advice on how to search for a job, prepare for an interview, or write your resume. When searching employment databases on the Internet, it usually is possible to send your resume to an employer by e-mail or to post it online.
Professional associations. Many professions have associations that offer employment information, including career planning," educational programs, job listings, and job placement. To use these services, associations usually require that you be a member; information can be obtained directly from an association through the Internet, by telephone, or by mail.
Labor unions. Labor unions provide various employment services to members, including apprenticeship programs that teach a specific trade or skill. Contact the appropriate labor union or State apprenticeship council for more information.
Private employment agencies and career consultants. These agencies can be helpful, but they are in business to make money. Most operate on a commission basis, with the fee dependent upon a percentage of the salary paid to a successful applicant. You or the hiring company will pay the fee. Find out the exact cost and who is responsible for paying associated fees before using the service.
Although employment agencies can help you save time and contact employers who otherwise might be difficult to locate, the costs may outweigh the benefits if you are responsible for the fee. Contacting employers directly often will generate the same type of leads that a private employment agency will provide. Consider any guarantees that the agency offers when determining if the service is worth the cost.
Community agencies. Many nonprofit organizations, including religious institutions and vocational rehabilitation agencies, offer counseling, career development, and job placement services, generally targeted to a particular group, such as women, youths, minorities, ex-offenders, or older workers.
JOB SEARCH TIPS FROM OUR USER COMMUNITY
Making the Most of Your Search
When performing your job search, keep in mind that any contacts you make, may need to be re-contacted. Save the names and phone numbers in a safe place, or enter them in your log/journal online. These contacts may be worth their weight in gold, but if you lose their phone number or address, you may be sorry.
Job Search: Using the Internet
The Internet can be very helpful in finding openings and information about a company. Do your homework!
Job Search Techniques: Network
Network! Tell everyone you know that you are looking for a job. Follow up on any suggestions from friends or family. If you can get someone to give you an introduction or put in a good word for you, do so. It can open the door.
TIPS FROM GARY MIALOCQ:
 This is an excellent job search resource.  Go Freelance is a premier online community for freelance professionals
and companies looking to hire skilled freelance experts. We have
thousands of freelance and work-at-home jobs in the US and worldwide.
SnagAJob.com is the number one source for hourly employment. We connect
businesses needing part-time or full-time hourly employees with the
most qualified hourly job seekers.
Welcome to Executive Search Online.com
We are a leading nationwide service for those executives who wish to be
considered at small employers, growth firms and Fortune 1000 companies.
ESO attracts professionals and executives from virtually every industry
and country in the world, and is free for all job hunters. Our specialties include:
- Advertising / Public Relations
- Aerospace / Defense
- Banking / Biomed / Biotech
- Consumer Products
- Finance / Financial Services
- General Mgmt. / Top Mgmt.
- Management Consulting
- Manufacturing - all operations
- Retail / Real Estate
- Restaurant / Food Service
- Sales / Marketing
- Service Industries
 Locate those hard to find, high paying jobs much faster!
 Our search engines scan MILLIONS of jobs in seconds!
View jobs from thousands of online sources INSTANTLY!
50,000+ links to jobsites, recruiters, employers and more!
Compare WorkTree versus Monster and see the difference!
JustTechJobs.com is Internet.com's jobsite and part of the Jupitermedia
Corporation. It provides Employers with a technology specific focus and
provides Job Seekers with job postings aimed at those specific tech
jobs. The benefit of using JustTechJobs.com is that it offers a
community of 15 million tech professionals supported by 120 tech Web
sites.
 Creative Jobs Central is the world's largest resource for jobs within
creative and competitive industries. Creative Jobs features targeted
job opportunities, broken down by industry, category, subcategory,
location, experience and position type. With thousands of employees and
over a thousand companies active, Creative Jobs Central has the highest
quality job listings in any industry it features.
Unlike traditional job sites, Creative Jobs Central requires a
commitment in the form of a subscription from applicants and completely
separate sub-websites for each industry.
|
|
