If you’re looking for a job, you should never just look in one place. Relying on job advertisements in newspapers, magazines, or even online is simply not going to cut it in most cases.
Instead of looking in one place, you should adopt different ways of looking for vacancies. In particular there are 5 ways that you should definitely try:
- Networking
One of the best ways to find jobs is by networking. The wider your network the greater your chances that you can hear about new openings, or even get a foot in the door.
The opportunities that networking can provide when you’re looking for a job are second to none. That being said, you need to learn how to network properly and start to build lots of connections with the right people.
- Job fairs
Generally job fairs are an underutilized, but they have lots of potential. Unlike a normal job application, when you visit a job fair you’ll be able to meet with a representative and can engage them directly.
Most job fairs tend to focus on a specific industry, but there are some that are general. Be sure to take steps to make the most of job fairs and you may even end up being asked to sit for a mini-interview on the spot.
- Direct applications
If you prefer to be proactive, you can apply to specific companies that you’re interested in directly. It may help to first check out their website for any job openings, but even if none are listed you can contact them regardless.
While the success rate for direct applications when there are no jobs listed is low – there’s no harm trying, especially if you feel you would be a good fit and have a lot to offer. To hedge your bets you may want to apply directly to some companies that do have job openings too however.
At a minimum you should check how the company prefers to be contacted however, and avoid direct cold calls that can be intrusive.
- Internships or temp positions
Enrolling in an internship program or taking up a temporary position can be a good way to get your foot in the door at a company, and lead to a permanent job in the future. It may not be the most prestigious role, but it will let you build connections with the right people in the company.
Assuming you do try this option, you need to be sure to make your time at the company count. The goal should be to make a good impression and ensure that your leave an impact while performing your role.
- Job search or listings
Last but not least you should never ignore job search sites. The number of jobs that are advertised online just keeps on growing, and it should be easy enough to browse through the positions that you’re interested in.
Although there are lots of job search and listing websites out there, you should focus on the most popular ones. It may also be a good idea to look at any that are local, as some positions may only be listed there.
It should be noted that aside from the five ways mentioned above, there are lots of other methods that you can use to look for jobs. Some of the more common are social media, headhunters, or recruitment agencies.
At the end of the day there’s no harm in spreading a wide net and seeing what you end up finding. The worst that can happen is that you come up empty handed.
