Multiply Your Tactics: Maximize Your Chances  

By Jack Tinker

Director of Recruiting

Connecticut College

 

Finding a good job isn't easy, so you will want to maximize your chances by utilizing every job search strategy available. “Wait,” you say, “aren't some strategies more productive than others?” Yes indeed, but you never know which one will come through for you. I once got a very good job at a Fortune 500 company out of the Sunday want ads. In fact each job I obtained throughout my career came as a result of a different job search tactic. Let's take a look at what this entails.

Most career counselors agree that networking is vital to career success. Utilizing your friends, relatives, professors--anyone you know-and cultivating new relationships to obtain referrals and interviews makes a great deal of sense. Contacting people in your field and asking for 20 or 30 minutes of their time to discuss their organization, job opportunities and to obtain advice on your job search is very worthwhile--even if they do not have any openings at that time. If you make a good impression and establish a relationship with the individual, he or she just might call you when something appropriate does become available. Hopefully they will do that before advertising the position to the world at large. This saves them time and money, and it saves you having to compete against hundreds of other people. This strategy is known as information interviewing. It requires patience, but it can pay big dividends by uncovering the “hidden job market.”

You also can utilize direct contact with organizations to apply for actual jobs. This involves generating a list of organizations in your field from field-specific directories, membership lists of trade associations, the Yellow Pages of the Phone Book, etc. Call the organization and ask for the Human Resource Department or person who handles that function. Find out the name of the individual responsible for screening applicants (let them know if you are looking for entry level positions or ones requiring experience). See if you can speak with the person to discuss any opportunities they might have available and to find out the application process. Normally this will involve filling out an application or sending a resume and cover letter to that individual. Whenever possible, always address your cover letter to a specific person. After a week or so, follow up with a phone call to be sure they received it and see if you can set up an interview.

You also may wish to contact the director or manager of the department in which you hope to work. This person may have the most say in the hiring process, so establishing a good relationship with her or him is vital.

Look for any employment agencies or search firms which specialize in your field. You can find a long list under Employment in the Yellow Pages of the Phone Book or use directories like the Directory of Executive Recruiters by Kennedy Publications. Contact agencies that list your specialty and ask if their fee would be paid by the employer which hires you if you utilize the agency's services. You want them to answer “yes” to that question. The agency may be able to set you up with interviews or will notify you of job opportunities that may become available. Some search firms will only deal with people having significant experience and set a minimum salary range, which can be quite high.

Joining a trade association in your field is another helpful strategy. They often have trade journals or newsletters which have job listings and usually hold regional or national conferences which may have placement activities and are great for networking.

Making use of job search resources on the World Wide Web is an obvious strategy in this day and age. Many commercial job search sites, such as CollegeRecruiter.com, will enable you to search and apply for actual job listings by field and location. Some also allow you to post your resume for employers to view and/or will email you if a job listing in your field becomes available.

Search engines also are a useful job search tool. Go to Google, Yahoo, etc. and type in something like “Job



The Last Job Search Guide You'll Ever Need: How to Find and Get the Job or Internship of Your Dreams The above is an excerpt from The Last Job Search Guide You'll Ever Need: How to Find and Get the Job or Internship of Your Dreams, which is available for sale for $19.85 in our bookstore or $27.00 at Amazon.com but for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. This hot new book contains job search secrets of the most experienced, most knowledgeable and most respected career experts. Learn career planning, job hunting tools and tactics, interviewing, cover letter and resume writing (lots of samples!), networking, and how to find an internship. Written by 149 career experts. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.


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