3 Ways to Find Your Next Job (Online and In Person)
Searching for a job can be a full-time occupation in and of itself. It takes quite a lot of time, effort, and dedication to scout out suitable new opportunities, carefully tailor your resume and cover letter for each position, and hone your interview skills to blow the interviewer away. You’ll inevitably face rejection—everyone does as it’s unavoidable when you consider how many other candidates you’re competing with—and it can take a toll. There’s no way to make the job search easy per se, but there are certainly ways to optimize your strategy and save yourself time and energy as you hunt down your next career opportunity.
If you’re ready to find a new job but aren't sure how to get started, keep reading. Below, you’ll learn effective strategies to help you discover plenty of opportunities, both online and offline. If you need help getting your resume ready for your job applications, check out our professional resume-writing services. From resume writing and rewriting to mock interviews and career coaching, our expert team can support you throughout your job search.
Network like it's your job
Networking is one of the most important ways to get ahead in your career, whether you’re looking for a new job or new opportunities in your current workplace. Get a leg up on the competition by connecting with as many people as you can—someone you know may have intel about a position that isn't being advertised, or they may tip you off to a job posting that you wouldn’t have found otherwise.
It could be a friend who works at a company you've been eyeing, a former colleague, or even someone you've connected with online who’s employed in the industry that interests you. If your contact is connected to the company where you’re applying, it can be incredibly valuable: Perhaps they can offer some specific advice on how to appeal to the hiring manager, or maybe they can vouch for you. An employer is much more likely to take a chance on you if one of their team members recommends you.
Reach out to people you know and ask if they have heard of any openings or know someone else who has. If they can connect you with the hiring manager, it’ll boost your chances of getting an interview, so get those referrals if you can. In case you don’t know anyone who can help you get a job, start looking! It’s never too late to begin building your professional network.
Become an online sleuth
There are so many clues online about job openings in obvious places, as well as some that need a little investigating. For example, you probably know to look at job boards and LinkedIn to check what's available. Play around with the search parameters and settings to obtain different results relevant to your goals—there are lots of great opportunities out there.
However, you should also get a little creative in your job search. One way to do that is to follow companies you’re interested in on their social media platforms to get to know them better. Engage with them so that they can also get to know you. If it’s a large enterprise, the hiring manager probably won’t be aware of your engagement on their social media, but who knows? Maybe they’re close friends with someone on the social media team. Either way, constant engagement helps you learn about the company’s goals, values, and culture.
Not only that, but the organization might post vacancies on its social media first, so you can get ahead of the game. Another strategy is to visit the website of a company you're interested in and apply for a job directly. Many will list open positions on their website before advertising them publicly. Hiring managers tend to favor applications submitted through the corporate website over those arriving via a job board because it implies a stronger interest on the part of the candidate.
Attend job fairs
Look for job fairs in your area and attend them prepared to wow recruiters. These events are ideal because you know in advance which companies will be there and that they have job openings. They’re actively looking for great candidates, so show them you’re the right one by dressing to impress and practicing your elevator pitch. Don’t overdo it because you’ll sound robotic and rehearsed—just make sure you can confidently and naturally introduce yourself and your best qualities and achievements.
It's important that you treat a job fair as you would a job interview. Do your research before the event so you know as much as possible about the companies that interest you. Dress as if you were going to a job interview—wear something professional that's also comfortable because you might be on your feet for hours. If your clothes are itchy or too tight, it’ll be hard to concentrate on the conversations you’re having, and you’ll end up making a poor impression on the recruiters.
In summary, you can find job openings both online and in person, in both obvious places and not-so-obvious ones. Put in the extra work and use the strategies above to help you land an interview. If you want a professional to put together your resume for you, take a look at our resume-writing services.
