When you have defined what you want to do and what you are able to do, you are ready to begin looking for a job opening. Here are some of the best ways:
Friends, social and business acquaintances, members of your professional organizations
The richest source of new jobs is your network of friends and acquaintances. Why? In some cases they have the boss's ear; they have heard about upcoming changes in their company or a competitive company; they know your work and/or your character; they want to do a favor in hopes of getting a favor; they want to show how influential they can be; or they are just kind folks. If they know you, they feel good about recommending you. Fully 90 percent of the people who successfully find jobs do so because they told someone they were looking. Get your name out to enough people and someone will likely call and say, "Someone here told me about you. How about coming in for an interview?"
Want ads
Consider placing want ads as well as reading them. Besides the want ads in your hometown newspaper, consider using the classified sections of papers in large cities nearby, the newspapers of distant cities that are sold at the local newsstands (The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, for example), and specialty newspapers such as The Wall Street Journal's National Employment Weekly. Also read and consider placing ads in the journals and magazines that serve the industry or profession you are interested in (for example. Ad Age, Automotive News, Psychology Today, Scientific American). Most public libraries have recent copies. Check their reading racks.
Employment agencies
You'll find them all listed in the Yellow Pages. Agencies come in all sizes and degrees of specialization. Some are highly selective in what type of worker they will look for and what type of employer they will serve. Many do not charge a fee to the person looking for a job; instead, they are paid by the employer. Ask questions. Find which agency or agencies you want to work with. Check with friends to learn what they know about them. Remember, too, some states and cities operate employment agencies.
Headhunters
Depending on your profession, there may be the opportunity to use headhunters...people who specialize in matching individuals to jobs. Headhunters are similar to employment agencies except that they specialize in finding candidates for a particular type of job or profession. Often they tend to specialize in management, executive, high-tech or service types of positions. You can find out who the headhunters are for your profession in several ways: ask colleagues, contact professional associations or watch trade and professional journals. Your initial contact with a headhunter should be in the form of a letter that explains your situation, briefly describes your experience and gives some idea of the type of job you are looking for. Also enclose a resume.
The local business and "old pals" networks
The Rotary Club, the Optimist Club, veterans' organizations, civic booster groups-almost any organization that you or a family member belongs to has some prospective employers in its membership. One reason these groups exist is to help one another in business. You won't be the first or the last to find work through them.
Professional organizations
Secretaries and nurses, firemen and foresters, plasterers and pianists, lab technicians and teachers-all of these and thousands of other groups have professional organizations. Many publish a newsletter or magazine listing job openings. Get on the mailing list if you aren't already. Also, someone at the group's national headquarters is probably the unofficial job broker. Call and ask. They are the job brokers because they like to help.
Your banker, insurance agent, realtor
Persons who are out and about every day in the business world often hear about jobs before they are advertised. They know about construction projects just starting, new businesses moving to town, new government services and proposed bond issues that could mean new jobs. Also, the members of your local Chamber of Commerce have virtually a direct line to employers. You probably know a member of the Chamber or someone who does.
Bulletin boards
These are especially useful to hourly workers and skilled workers. The bulletin boards are found in hardware stores, lumber yards, plumbing shops, glass installers and auto parts stores. If you are looking for work in the trades, check the bulletin boards. Consider posting your work-wanted ad there, too.
