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. Provided
the economy is good, every month there are between two and three million
jobs vacant in the United States alone. Your goal should be to generate
100 leads for every two offers you hope to receive. By putting your job
hunt into that framework, it makes it sound 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 to check as well.
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. Some employers prefer to advertise in their trade
publication as opposed to placing ads in a daily newspaper.
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
· Chambers 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. To access these postings,
contact the human resource offices at these companies, or individuals who you
know are working there, and ask if and 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. These resources are often available in
local libraries or community college placement offices, as they frequently
carry 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 at agencies can include technical, specialist, medical,
and professional fields. They are also a place to access local employer
information and obtain 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 Adguide's College
Recruiter Employment Site. The United States Treasury Federal
Job Resources at
http://www.ustreas.gov/jobs/fedemp.html is a loaded
web site with extensive openings posted within the government. A site
called Teacher Link at
http://www.teacherlinkusa.com 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 at
http://www.dbm.com/jobguide/resumes.html#free. 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.
