Call a Recruiter. Connect with an industry qualified recruiter. Benefits being they are typically tapped into the industry very well and know many people and contacts throughout the country. They also usually know of many confidential searches that are not advertised on the mainstream job boards. The downfall here with recruiters is finding a recruiter who will hang with you and not give up on finding you that right position. I am not saying that a good recruiter can work miracles and find you a job in record breaking time…yet a good recruiter will stay in touch with you and always keep you in mind. The biggest complaint I hear from candidates is that recruiters seem to call you when they need you, leaving them feel used.
The typical job boards. While I think the job boards are great…I also view them as a major distraction in anyone’s job search. Everyone goes to and frequents the top sites…Monster, HotJobs, Careebuilder, The ladders. There are many downfalls to relying strictly on the job boards for that next job. Due to the number of candidates that search and apply through job boards that by the time your resume gets to whoever the “screener” at the company you are sending your resume to…it can quite easily get lost and dumped into a vault of never to be seen or found again resumes. For example, when I typically post a job on Monster, say for a sales position, I get back easily hundreds of resumes. Multiply that one job posting by several for larger companies…and you’ve got a major administrative mess on anyone’s hands. Best bet for pursuing a job you see posted on a job board or company website is to see if your favorite recruiter (Carlyn Burns! ha ha!) has an in with that company, or simply ask them to call the company on your behalf. Having a recruiter present you to a company often, if not always gains you instant credibility for being an extremely worthy candidate!
Network, network, network! This is honestly one of the leading ways that candidates find their jobs – regardless of industry. Don’t be afraid to reach out to those you have worked with in the past and get your name out there. Let everyone you respect and know in the industry know that you are looking for that next job…you would be amazed how quickly news travels and how many referrals may pan out for you. Don’t forget to contact former peers, bosses, customers you called on or dealt with, suppliers, association members, no one is off limits here…network! You’d be surprised at how many candidates I have recommended this to who tell me they would be too embarrassed to call old bosses or co workers and let them know they were out of work…don't let your pride get in the way…again, this is one the best and most reliable ways to get a job these days!
Join a club! There are many industry associations, networking opportunities out there. Think outside the box and join your local chamber or better business meetings – most cities have networking meetings frequently – check out eth business section in your local newspaper. My best recommendation for networking with others is by far Linked in. You can find the site at www.linkedin.com It is free to join and you can connect and communicate with people in and outside of the industry all over the country. I personally know of several people who found their last job this way.
Unemployment Office. Believe it or not, often the unemployment office in your city receives several job openings that are not always publicly posted on major job boards or anywhere for that matter. Many companies are trying to be more and more economical with their advertising costs for job ads, and can place free job ads with eth unemployment office, as well as online at: http://www.dod.jobsearch.org/ (site comes up as dept of defense, but allows you to post resumes and search for jobs for free. Downside of this site, there are a lot of hourly waged jobs listed here…sometime you have to dig or keep checking back.
Place an ad. Selling your skills and expertise could not be any easier than taking out a quick and simple ad in any of the mainstream trade publications. No need for flashy graphics...just list the basics and keep it brief...your experience, job/title you are seeking and a way to contact you. There is also no need to spend a huge amount of money on something like this...you would be surprised how inexpensive a few words in one of eth leading trade publications is!
And finally…never ever, ever pay anyone, any service, etc. to find that next job for you. I have heard way too many horror stories from many candidates who have been “taken” for lots of money and time in grand promises from companies who promise to get your resumes to thousands of companies and hiring authorities, etc. If it sounds too good to be true…it probably is. Good luck in your job search & rest assured your dream job is probably right around the corner!
