Nowadays, there are numerous ways to find a job, but it calls for the right approach if you want to land one. When explaining to a client why it is imperative to vary his approach when looking and applying for a position, I came across the ‘Five Fingers of Job Search’. Generally, this means that your chances of getting a job will increase if you spread out your hand and tap into more opportunities. Of course, there are numerous ways to get a job, but you are bound to be successful if you read this article, and follow these recommendations.
Five Ways of Finding a Job
In order to find many job openings, you’ll want to spread your fingers and use the following 5 resources:
1. Community Resources
Your local Career One Stop or job service office, libraries and other public or municipal agencies not only offer job search assistance but also computer and other forms of training.
2. Online Postings
The internet is without a doubt the go-to place when it comes to looking for job postings. There are numerous postings online, but keep in mind that you are not the only one looking. Most employers nowadays require this and so, you’ll have to comply in order to be considered. Follow-up is particularly vital when submitting job applications online. Just because you applied does not mean it was received, and it is your responsibility to follow-up and ensure it did. Some of the most popular job search websites are Monster.com, Indeed.com, and CareerBuilder.com.
3. Newspapers
We may have gone digital, but some companies still use this medium to advertise open positions in their companies. Remember that you want to increase your chances of landing a job, and so, even if this is a traditional way of job hunting, you’ll want to use it as well.
4. Staffing Agencies
These were once thought to be temporary job agencies, but we have seen many people land permanent positions by using them. They can prove to be invaluable in your job hunt as well. Try and develop a solid relationship with recruiters at various agencies in your region and follow up with them on a regular basis. Who knows, you might land a life-changing position.
5. Employers
Most employers just advertise open positions on their websites and internal job boards. As such, you’ll want to identify employers in your region that you would like to work for and regularly check their career pages.
Applying For A Job
Now, when it comes to applying for a job, you will ideally want to vary your approach so that you can increase the chances of getting an interview and even land your dream job. Here are several ways to apply for a job:
1. Email
Most employers give our their email addresses for their or use certain conventions that allow you to guess an email address. Firstname.lastname@company.com is one of the most common email conventions used by employers or business owners.
2. In Person
At times, you may come into direct contact or land an interview with the hiring manager when dropping your resume and CV in person. This is a great way to stand out from the rest who are applying for the position through another means.
3. Snail Mail
Sometimes, a postcard that contains a brief note and a link to your resume or profile or with your email address can make a world of a difference. The recruiter or employer does not even have to open an envelope.
4. Online
As mentioned earlier, applying through the web is a necessity in most organizations nowadays. The same applies to follow up. After completing and submitting the job application, you’ll want to follow up with another means of application to ensure that your resume was received.
5. Database
Monster.com, Careerbuilder.com and similar sites usually allow you to post your resume online for potential employers to find. This isn’t a bad idea, but you’ll need to be aware of scammers who might see your resume and contact you with the aim of selling their products or services to you.
Follow Up Communications
You can ideally utilize the concept as a means to land a job as a way to vary the following up approach. That’s because, just like everybody else, employers have varying styles and preferences. When it comes to following up, you can try the following:
1. Snail Mail
This is perhaps the most overlooked method in today’s digital world. However, hiring managers and employers still get mail and they are more likely to get your CV and resume if sent through the post office with a quick follow-up note. Ideally, you can use the postcard mentioned earlier.
2. In Person
In most cases, a person who isn’t accessible by phone is accessible in person. It’s ideally more difficult to delay or ignore someone who’s standing right in front of you, compared to someone who’s on the phone or communicating via email. A face and a name can go a long way in making stand out from the rest.
3. Phone
It’s always advisable to follow up using the phone. Here, you’ll want to prepare a script that clearly outlines what to say. It’s also important to have a clear goal in mind before making the follow-up call.
4. Email
If the recruiter is an individual who likes to communicate via email, you can usually get information regarding the hiring process or the timeline. You can say that you’re going to be available the next day and would like to know if it’s possible to schedule a little time with the recruiter. You never know, you might instantly land an interview.
Leave a Reply