Sometimes, taking the road less traveled is the best way to land the job you really want.
Searching for a new job is hard work. In fact, it can be the toughest job you’ll ever have. The key to job search success is to treat the entire process like a business; think of you as being in the job-hunting business.
Recruitment has changed a lot in last 10 years. Recruiters no long rely on just traditional approach to hunt for talent. A large percentage of recruiters today research sites like LinkedIn, Twitter, and even Facebook.
Network
By far the most important thing to do pretty much constantly is NETWORKING.
- Spread the word about your job hunt to everyone you know.
- Attend conferences and events related to your field.
- Check out community job fairs.
Use Linkedin
LinkedIn is the most popular site for recruiters by far, as the data below reveals. Of the social recruiters, LinkedIn clearly dominates in key uses:
▪ 96% of social recruiter use LinkedIn to search for candidates.
▪ 94% use LinkedIn to contact candidates.
▪ 93% use LinkedIn to “keep tabs on” potential candidates.
▪ 92% use LinkedIn to “vet candidates pre-interview.”
▪ 91% posted jobs on LinkedIn.
Recruiters indicated that they checked candidates LinkedIn Profile for:
▪ Professional experience
▪ Length of professional tenure
▪ Specific hard skills
Get endorsed for your skills
This helps show — rather than just tell. More than 80% of job seekers who found work in just a few months had 10 or more endorsements.
Read: Beat Unemployment Stress
Ask for introductions
Take your list of connections and start asking for help. Send personalized emails to each person in your network (a mass email will NOT suffice). Tell them what you’re looking for, what your skills/experience is and the specific person they’re connected to whom could help. Also give them a short template they could use to make the email introduction.
Approach your ideal company directly
If there is a company you would love to work for why don’t you contact them directly and find out as much as you can about any upcoming jobs that might be available in your field. Businesses often have opportunities that they don’t post. Make a list of companies you might like to work for and contacts in the right department. Directories and company websites are great places to research employer contacts.
Social Media
There are certain social media strategies that would benefit all job seekers.
- Your social profile and public messages should include just the right keywords that make it easy for recruiters to find you among the thousands others.
- Engage in discussion with potential customer, clients, and employers.
- Uncover the needs and wants of potential customers, clients, and employers and develop a campaign to reach them.
- Follow and engage in discussion with great thinkers.
Tip: Twitter is valuable for following companies and searching for job postings. Unlike LinkedIn and Facebook, recruiters on a low budget can post opportunities for free.
Follow the companies you’re interested in
Stay up-to-date on the latest news, participate in conversations and learn about new job opportunities.
Get Professional Help
Employment agencies can be an excellent resource for job leads, and they come in all shapes an. Some specialize and sizes, very specific occupational areas, and many often have exclusive arrangements with large companies.
Write a blog
Don’t tell yourself that blogs are for kids. They’re not. They’re for professionals to get noticed. You can blog about things that are going on in your industry, local happenings, and other information that companies might search for when they are looking for people online. Include a link to your LinkedIn profile and you have a strong tool that can help you get notice. You can even include a link to your blog on your resume or in your cover letter.
Create a YouTube Video
YouTube is a great channel for letting others see who you are and what you are like.
Create a Business Card
Don’t be left out of the old introduction ritual of exchanging business cards just because you’re unemployed. In fact, you need a business card now more than ever. Create one, and have it professionally printed. Include your name, contact information and general area of expertise. On the back, add your career objective and a bulleted list of your key areas of strength. Your business card can then actively serve as a mini-C.V.
Customize your CV
for every position, and be resourceful and creative with how you approach the job search. Include keywords that are in the specific job description. Including keywords ensures your C.V. will come up on computerized scan systems when you apply online.
Job Portals
List yourself on job portals.
Don’t be afraid of today’s new methods of job searching. Now go and make your own luck. Which new tactic will you add to your career repertoire? Tweet Us!
