Posted on 08/16/2010 11:29:37 AM PDT by erod
Hello FReepers! I’m writing this post because like many I’m struggling to get a job and I need some help. I’m about to embark on my job search again (I took a three-month-hiatus to work a part-time marketing job to get some more experience) and I want to know if any of you had luck with a specific type of job searching technique.
Maybe you knocked on doors, networked, or buried yourself daily in classifieds? I want to know what techniques worked for you or what techniques didn’t work for you. I’ll try to make this short, but here is a little bit of my background and my plan. I’m a 26-year-old Chicagoan (don’t hold it against me please), with a degree in Journalism from The University of Iowa and I have approximately two years of experience working in higher education part-time as a recruiter, and three months working part-time for a close friend of mine who’s starting a business.
My plan is to use his connections and try to get in contact with 2-3 people a week and when I’m not talking with contacts I’ll be looking at job listings applying for three a day. I hope my approach works and please share anything that has worked or hasn’t worked with you. I hope this thread can help others like me who am uncertain of what to do in their job search. Best, Erod
Start your own business nobody is hiring til we get rid of Obama and the Commies.
Network, Network, Network. Linked-In, find or organize job placement groups. Let everyone you know, know you are looking.
My first question would be, what do you want to do? For different industries there are different methods that work better than others.
Face-to-face networking worked for me. I did the online job search thing, checked some classifieds, but what landed me a job after a lay off was getting my resume into the right hands at the right time. My current employer needed someone with my experience. I applied online, but what got me in the door was a friend that works at the same place. He hand delivered my resume to HR who then contacted me, then my new management. All said and done, entire process took less than a week.
I focus on two or three companies that meet my threshold for a good opportunity to learn. Get the company directory - it is not easy to find but it is out there - find the individuals who have hiring authority and direct your energies directly to them, not HR. Letters to the individuals should be 1 page only and brief as possible. You have one chance to make a first impression so spell check. Good luck.
You might consider joining Toastmasters—it can be a very good way to make contacts/meet people.
Research firms you’re interested in—what sort of work are you looking for? Do you want to use your journalism degree? You could apply at a community weekly paper, though the pay probably isn’t that great.
Go back to college, learn a new skill. You’re not going to be hired if you don’t have a degree, and if you can’t get hired, start your own business.
Look for companies you want to work for, then call and ask to set up an informational interview: http://www.quintcareers.com/informational_interviewing.html
Then call back every month or so to ask if they have any openings.
Networking is a great way to find a job. Just remember to go back and contact these people after a month or two and keep in touch with them regularly.
Generally speaking, by the time a job opening is posted it’s too late, as so many other people will be applying for the same job. You should still look at postings and apply, but it’s not the easiest way to get a job.
Good luck!
I couldn’t agree more! Also - avoid like the plague anyone who wants you to pay for their ‘help’ in getting placed. Networking has worked for me every time.
Check out teaching positions at the community colleges.
Due to the economy many more students are going the community college route for the first two years. There may be positions open for you in that area.
Not the greatest pay, but it’s a start. Sometimes retired execs take those jobs too and you may be able to network with someone with a corporate connection.
Many companies have in house newsletters......some companies use newsletters as a way to reach potential customers or clients.
Helpful article on creating and working a job search plan:
http://www.expert-career-advice.com/job-search-plan.html
I am an engineer working in the oil and gas industry.
With our up and down industry, I stayed employed by being willing to go anywhere and do anything while there, when I was younger an less experienced.
When I was first moving around, prior to the days of internet, I would read all the related job listings in at least 20 major newspaper every Sunday at the public library.
Times have changed but a similar attitude is helpful. While unemployed, my job was looking for a job, 40 yrs minimum a week.
My wife had success by applying to prospects within 60 miles of home. She also used recruiters which if nothing else gave her extensive interview experience. A good friend of mine was just let go two weeks ago and that is pretty much the same advice i gave him just keep plugging away, use recruiters and hope for the best
good luck
Work the connections - having some contact (even secondary or tertiary) is huge leg up over being an anonymous classified respondent. Be willing to move, or take an internship (if they feds haven’t banned them yet). Set up a linkedin.com page, and check craigslist job listings, there are a surprising amount. Get someone to review and help make sure your resume, looks good, stands aout, and sells you.
I’ve essentially gone the contractor route. Things are not too great here for most sectors and my last place of employment is still a revolving door from what I hear. I don’t miss those shady characters. I will never work for an electronics recycling company ever again. However I have found enough side jobs to get me by. Every now and then I do land an interview.
Offer to work on a 3-month or 6-month project basis. Create an opportunity like a temp to perm position. Companies may not be hiring but the people who have jobs are buried with work...offer to do a project pro-bono for 1-month or as long as you can afford. It will definitely lead to at a minimum a great reference or perhaps a perm position and in the process you out there in the workforce making connections.
Good luck. I wish you all the best.
Be confident in your own skills, but more importantly perhaps, in your experiences.
Network with everyone you know, letting them know you are actively looking and willing to consider anything. Ask them specifically to think of everyone they know who might be hiring or might even know of a job possibility.
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