Users of traditional tools wait for things to happen—an appropriate job to appear online, a response to a resume, a phone call about an application. Most of the successful applicants don't find jobs this way, because the majority of desirable positions are not advertised. With so many applicants entering the work force, many employers either don't want or don't need to advertise. Think of how many job applicants like you are out there answering ads. That's a lot of competition! Waiting for a response to your resume will not help you find a job. This doesn't mean that no one can find a job this way, but the chances of finding a job by using only traditional tools are slim. The most effective job search tools are proactive—not reactive. That means taking action!
A proactive job search begins by using nontraditional tools such as networking and informational interviewing. Networking is enlisting everyone you know to help you with your job search. Informational interviewing is meeting people in the industry, learning about their particular fields, and getting your name in the public eye. You contact the employers. You arrange the interviews. You follow-up on your actions. With nontraditional tools, you have control over the direction of your job search. Resumes and cover letters are still important to your job search, but it will be nontraditional tools like networking and informational interviewing that will make you stand out above the rest. If you are going to make the most of your job search efforts, you should investigate every job lead you receive, and that means combining nontraditional tools with traditional tools.
Make A Plan
Looking for a job requires effort as well as patience—it could take months to find one. But if you make a plan of action and use both nontraditional and traditional job search tools, your hard work will enable you to find a job that is right for you. Don't rush into your campaign, however; you need to be organized. Make a plan of what you are going to accomplish every day. For many of you, that means your job search has just gone from one of reaction to proaction. You will use every job search tool available to you and properly follow up. That may sound frightening, but don't worry. This workbook not only explains the benefits of important tools, but also shows you how to keep track of them.
Sources for Job Search Information
You can look in several places for examples of how to prepare and organize your job search. Libraries, for instance, carry a wealth of information on all facets of the job search process and are an excellent source of information because they carry up-to-date materials. You can find examples of different occupational resumes, how to write them, and how to make them stand out. You can also check out books on what to write when composing a cover letter. The library has books on networking and informational interviewing and how to prepare for your job interview. Your reference librarian will be glad to explain how to find and use the job search materials.
College Placement Offices are also excellent sources of information, since they often specialize in helping students look for jobs. They have a large selection of job preparation books on resume writing, traditional and nontraditional tools, and frequently have the inside scoop on what companies are hiring both in and out of the immediate area.
Bookstores usually have a job search section containing information on resume and cover letter writing, preparing for interviews, dressing for interviews, answering difficult questions, and many other important subjects.
Use Your Creativity
Countless books and guides have been written on how to conduct your job search. Knowing how to conduct a job search could mean the difference between finding "a" job and finding "THE" job you want. This article explains job search tools that have been successful for candidates in the past and encourages you to take an active role in finding the job you want. You may have your own ideas on how to conduct your job search. This article is just a guide. Be creative. There is no one and only absolute way to launch your job search. Do what works for you!
To launch a successful job search:
- Realize there is more to finding a job than just writing a good resume.
- Take an active role in your job search.
- Be open to learning a variety of techniques that will show you how to find a job.
- Decide whether nontraditional or traditional job search tools will maximize your chances of landing the job you want most, then concentrate your efforts on those tools.
- Remember that finding a job is a full-time job. Make a plan of action and then accomplish a few things on your job search list every day.
- Utilize all available resources. Libraries, college placement offices, the internet, and local bookstores are excellent sources for additional job search information.
