- ob Seeker Using Multiple Methods to Find a Job - morguefile/ronnieb
Job seekers have likely heard this way too many times. However, it bears repeating. Since finding a job can take months of time and effort, the best way to speed the process along is by using multiple methods of job hunting to find job openings.
Now the only question is: what are all these multiple job search methods that are available to job seekers? Here are ten ideas suggested by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics mixed with a few job search ideas that they overlooked.
Classified Advertisements in Newspapers
Old fashioned? Perhaps. However, this is still a viable option. Believe it or not there are jobs posted in most local papers; and not just the big dailies. The little local or community papers often have jobs. And job seekers can find these papers at the local library or even in their weekly in the mail.
Community Non-Profit Services
Whether it is a religious institution, career or a vocational rehabilitation agency, there are community services out there that offer job search assistance. Job seekers can check the online yellow pages for their city by using “employment services” for their search. For Los Angeles jobs seekers here is a list of some LA-based organizations.
Go Directly to the Hiring Company
This is one of the best ways to get a foot in the door with an organization where the job seeker really wants to work. By going directly to a company’s website or giving the human resources department a call, job seekers can find jobs that are currently available or soon to be available. And if there is not an appropriate job opportunity open now, try asking for an informational interview.
Using the Internet to Find a Job
There are several ways to use the Internet to find an employment opportunity. First, there are the traditional job boards including Monster, Careerbuilder, Jobing and a whole host of other large, medium and boutique job boards. Next, there are all the social media websites that can help job seekers find employment opportunities. Places like LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook are regularly touted as great sources for all types of career and job information. Finally, job seekers might want to consider Googling themselves up a job.
Utilizing Labor Unions to Find Work
Labor unions provide various employment services to members and potential members, including apprenticeship programs that teach a specific trade or skill. Contact the appropriate labor union or State apprenticeship council for more information.
Networking With Friends, Family and More
By talking to the people they know, job seekers can find job openings. And the list of contacts shouldn’t stop with just friends and family. Job seekers might also want to ask neighbors, teachers, former coworkers, classmates, church members and anyone else they meet.
School Events and College Placement Services
Recent or current college students have access to their university’s career placement center, while those who have been out of school for a while might want to use their alumni association. What these organizations may also provide are job placement workshops and job fairs.
Professional Associations and Events
Job seekers who belong to a professional association have a ready-made job search source. Many professional associations offer job placement assistance through membership and monthly, quarterly or annual events. And many professional associations allow non-members to attend their meetings and events for an inflated fee in the hope that they will soon become members.
Utilizing State and Federal Government Resources
Each State has some type of employment or job service office which offers job referral and placement. However in addition to State job services, there are local (city or county) as well as State and Federal jobs that job seekers may want to apply for. And for veterans, keep in mind that by law veterans have priority job placement with State employment service centers.
Sign Up With Employment and Temporary Agencies
Working with a temporary service not only provides job seekers with the benefits of working, it can offer them a foot in the door of a local employer. In addition, signing up with employment agencies gives job seekers extra help in the job search process.
The fact is that there are a variety of ways for job seekers to look for employment opportunities. Whether they network with friends and family, sign up with an agency, work with the State Employment Development Department or any of the other methods, finding a job faster is all about using multiple methods of search.
Deborah S. Hildebrand - Deborah S. Hildebrand is a freelance writer & HR consultant with 20+ years in human resources & a Bachelor's degree in Business.
