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By Kay LaRocca
In order to effectively pursue job leads, you first have to find them. It's
during this process that many job seekers begin to panic. How do find good
job leads? How do you find employers who are hiring and learn what they are
seeking in an applicant?
It's important to do your homework and locate every possible resource. Some
opportunities you'll forego, because the employer needs someone with
qualifications vastly different from yours. Others you'll forego because the
job just doesn't interest you, or the work schedule or long commute are
unappealing.
The key here is to identify and pursue leads, not positions. Every month
(provided the economy is good), there are between 2 and 3 million jobs
vacant in the United States alone. Consider this, placing your job hunt into
this framework, you should be generating 100 leads (for every two offers you
hope to receive) and this sounds relatively manageable.
Advertisements
Job openings are published in various places and in a mirage of ways.
Advertisements can be found in your local newspaper, but there are numerous
other publications as well to check. National newspapers include job
advertisements from companies all over the country and internationally.
Trade association and professional journals offer job opportunities
sections, with most jobs relating to the specific field the journal
represents. There are some employers who prefer to recruit through their
trade publication as opposed to placing ads in the paper.
Advertisements and recruitment notices can be posted in many locations
around your community. You will find some employers who place ads in
newspapers and journals will also issue job announcements to organizations
such as:
- Federal Government Offices
- Job Placement Offices
- Placement Offices at Colleges, Technical, or Specialized Training Schools
- Professional Associations related to their Industry or Specialty
- The Chamber of Commerce
- State Employment Bureau
- Local Government Offices
Most companies will post openings near their own personnel offices, and
throughout other locations in the organization. If you're currently
unemployed, contact targeted companies, or individuals you know who are
working where you would like to work, to find out how you can review their
available job openings.
Directories of Companies and Professions
Another way to identify employers is through industry specific directories
and registers. You can also find numerous commercial books that describe the
top 100 companies, employers by industry, employers by city, state or
region, and more.
Be sure to visit your local library or community college placement office,
which frequently contain many business and career opportunity directories.
Some directories identify certain companies who hire people with specific
skills or recruit people for specialized training programs, such as
entry-level management or executive training programs. Others may provide
general descriptions of the company's products, services, profits, and total
number of employees.
Directories are a great way to identify companies you hadn't thought of
contacting. It also helps to remind you of all the job opportunities there
are out in the world.
Employment Agencies
Don't overlook the employment agency, which also has listings of job
openings. Jobs listed here can include technical, specialist, medical, and
professional fields. This is also a place to access local employer
information and elicit contact names and numbers.
Private employment agencies are a little different. First, the agency must
get paid in order to stay in business. There are usually two ways a
technical, professional, or managerial search firm gets paid: you pay them
to find you a job or an employer pays them to find them a qualified
employee.
If you're considering utilizing this method, be sure to check the agency's
credentials carefully. Does it have a successful track record for placing
people like you with solid companies? Be certain you understand fully any
agreement before you sign it.
Job Opportunities On-Line
With on-line technology changing rapidly, there are broad opportunities
available for job seekers. Everything you need is available at the click of
your mouse. You can quite possibly conduct your entire job hunt on-line.
It's easy to research prospective employers, identify job openings, and
submit your resume. Most job networks require little technological know-how
and are very user friendly.
Many employers today post jobs on-line using services like Career Avenue,
and others. The
United States Treasury Federal Job Resources is a loaded web site with extensive
openings posted within the government. A site called
Teacher Link lists specific opportunities throughout the
United States for anyone in the field of education. These are just some of
the specialized web sites that are available.
Your resume can even be posted on-line through various services. The most
extensive listing on the web providing places where you can post your resume
(fee based and free) can be found within
The Riley Guide. Some databases are designed to sort
and classify individuals in particular fields or with specific skills.
Others encompass a broader range, such as professional or managerial
positions. Many web sites offer free posting of your resume, however, some
electronic placement firms charge both employers and job seekers.
If you're computer savvy enough, you may even consider designing your own
web page to promote your abilities and announce your availability for the
right job opportunity.
Remember that you are your very own public relations person when it comes to
looking for work. Utilizing all available avenues and mass marketing of your
credentials is the key to success!
--Kay LaRocca is Vice President Corporate Services for CareerSoar.com. Her email address is kay@careersoar.com.
