Searching for a job requires setting aside time to specifically to search for a job, dedication, persistence, exploring different avenues, and using effective resume writing. Searching for a job is a job itself. It is important to create the skill sets from your previous work experience and apply them to the positions your are seeking.
There are numerous sites online where you can submit your resume. It is important to synergize these efforts in order to minimize the time it takes to apply and try to immediately apply for new job postings. It can take time to complete applications particularly government applications which may have a list of knowledge, skills, and abilities questions.
Networking is also crucial in your job search. It is good to join organizations where you have an interest in. As long as you are proactive opportunities will open up and sometimes in areas where you don’t expect.
Career fairs are a great way to meet employers and learn about additional job opportunities. While some companies at the career fair will tell you to apply online and there is not a real connection made other companies and some federal government agencies place great emphasis on selecting candidates to interview from these career fairs. This is partly due to the fact that they don’t want to go through a thousand applications they are receiving online.
Sometimes a person has to start from the bottom and work their way up. Although a desired position at a company may not be currently available or you may not have received a call for an interview for the position there are other positions that could be available. Other issues such as relocation, family, pay, and benefits can factor into a person’s decisions of whether or not to move to another state for that extra $10,000 a year.
There also is the hidden job market. These are positions that aren’t advertised and companies use their employee referrals, specialized job pools, and employee networks to fill these positions. It is estimated that 80% of the jobs are filled this way while 20% of the jobs are advertised. In order to tap into the hidden job market it’s best to join networks in your profession, contact the company directly, or join the company’s online community such as Facebook and Twitter where you can uncover unadvertised job openings. You have to identify employers you want to work for and establish methods for contacting the employer.
Employment agencies are a great way for resume building in order to gain experience and enable you to work permanently at a company after working there on a temporary basis.
