How to Find a Job – An Overview

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If you’re wondering how to find a job, let’s explore some of the ways that it can be done. I’ll go into detail on each one of these techniques in separate articles, but for now, I just want to give you a feel for some of the things you should be thinking about. I know the job market seems tight, but it will always seem that way. Instead of viewing it as such, just remember that if what you offer is in demand, then there is a job out there for you.

Your biggest challenge is to understand where there might be a fit, and get yourself in front of that potential employer.

Here are twelve techniques that can work for you.

1. -Want ads are a traditional standby, and something you should be exploring. Be aware that only those who can’t readily find employees are placing ads in the newspaper.
2. -Recruiters are another avenue to use, especially if your talents are of a professional nature. Some recruiters are specialists, and some work across various fields.
3. -Temp to perm agencies are usually a good resource to use if your talents are more administrative in nature, although some skilled and professional services are also provided to the marketplace in this manner.
4. -Labor pools are places where jobs can be found, if you prefer that kind of work. Some require that you hang out at their office “on call” for whomever may request your services.
5. -Create your own job by understanding something about the business, find a place where you can lend a hand, and then propose your services to hiring authorities.
6. -The phone book might seem like a needle in a haystack approach, but it’s a good way of identifying what the marketplace looks like, and it can help you network as well. Until you’ve exhausted every reasonable possibility in the phone book, you’re not finished with your job search.
7. -Let the right job find you. Good work begets more work, so if your talents become known, people will come looking for you, and you can command a higher wage.
8. -Network with your friends, neighbors and business associates. Many jobs are landed this way, especially ones that aren’t advertised in the marketplace.
9. -Place your own ad in the newspaper. Why not? If you can’t find the employer, then help them find you.
10. -Hang out with people who are employed, even if this means doing work for them without compensation – at least it gets you into their arena. Hanging around with others who are unemployed isn’t going to be as successful simply because they’re not in the job market – they’re outside of it – and they probably don’t have the skill or experience to help you. If they did, they’d be employed within the job market.
11. -Start at the top, especially with smaller firms. If you’re going to write or phone someone, why not address your efforts to the person in charge of the operation? At least get someone’s attention who has hiring authority or the ear of someone who does.
12. -Use the Internet to support your job search. You’ll be surprised at what can be found when you put this powerful resource to work for you.

If you can’t find a job, sometimes it requires taking a different approach. Try one or all of these techniques to help you find employment. As a minimum, it will help you get more experience and better practiced at finding a job. Figure out which techniques work best for you, and then focus on using them to help you find a job.

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Clair Schwan has never had trouble finding a job nor keeping one. He believes the key to both is to be assertive, try new things, and get your talents out in front so they’re recognized by people who appreciate what you have to offer.

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