Finding a suitable job can seem a mysterious and complicated process, particularly if you are entering the workforce for the first time or you are changing jobs after many years in the same organization. You have many resources available to you, though, from friends and family members to professional networking organizations and online career resources. If you approach your job search with creativity and persistence, you will in time be able find a job that suits you.
Step 1
Identify the types of positions for which you are best suited and in which you are most interested. In answering this question, consider your level of satisfaction in your current job, your interests and abilities, as well as your desires and dreams for your future. Nicholas Lore, in "The Pathfinder: How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success," suggests career assessment tests and professional counsel to help you decide on a potential career.
Step 2
Connect with people that you know, including family members, friends, past coworkers and other people in your community. Richard Nelson Bolles, in "The 2009 What Color is Your Parachute: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters," recommends asking people you know "one simple question: do you know of any jobs at the place where you work---or elsewhere?" He stresses that this is "...one of the five best ways to look for a job."
Step 3
Research job opportunities as well as potential employers with online resources. You can research job opportunities through job search sites, including Monster.com, as well as through job search aggregate sites, such as Indeed.com, that list job postings from multiple job search sites. You can explore potential employers, as well, by looking up company websites and researching information on potential careers with each organization.
Step 4
Join professional networks in your local community, as well as alumni organizations, if possible, connected to your college or university. Many professional and alumni organizations frequently offer networking events, and they may provide, as well, job search resources, such as job listings in a specific career or industry area. The people whom you meet in these organizations can also provide encouragement and support as you persevere in your job search.
Step 5
Call local businesses in your areas of interest and ask them if they are hiring for the types of positions for which you are qualified. Bolles recommends not only making targeted phone calls but also visiting potential employers in person and asking if they are hiring. He explains that phone calls and in-person visits give you "...an almost 10 times better chance of finding a job, than if you had just sent out your resume."
Tips and Warnings
- Remember that there is no right or wrong way to hunt for a job. You will find that certain job search methods are more or less effective at certain times.
- Remain patient over time, instead of giving up, and continue to try a wide variety of search methods. As you remain proactive, you will increase your chances of landing a suitable job.
References
- "The 2009 What Color Is Your Parachute?: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters"; Richard Nelson Bolles; 2009
- "The Pathfinder: How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success"; Nicholas Lore; 1998
Member Comments