Let’s go job searching!!! Said no one ever. Or at least not that enthusiastically, I’m sure. It can be a long and tough journey to find a new job, especially if you’re having difficulty even figuring out where to look for one.
Today we’re going to go over a few ideas of where to look and how to make sure you’re really doing all you can do.
Start with the Basics
First, you need to sit down and have a better understanding of where you want to go and what you want to do. Try narrowing down to a few different job options so you can be more specific if someone asks you about what you’re interested in. Decide if you are willing to relocate (even if it’s 50 miles away) and if you are, where you would be willing to go. Figure out how you want to keep track of your applications and where you are applying to, so that you can easily remember and reference the correct job when they call you for an interview.
Let Everyone Know!
Tell any contacts you may have that you are looking for a job and in what area. Any type of networking connection you may have, let them know! Even if your connection isn’t in the area you are looking at, if you are interested in working for their company or one like it, they probably can poke around and see if there is anything coming down the pipeline or already available. I can’t stress enough about how important it is to use your network to your advantage – don’t feel like you’re burdening someone or simply “using them” (that was always my problem) because that’s what your connections are there for. I’m sure that if the situation was reversed, you would help them if you could.
Put it on social media – if you feel it’s appropriate for you to do so. Any social media, any form, it doesn’t matter. This is something that some people feel very comfortable with and others don’t; if you feel the job hunt is going splendidly without doing it, great! If you’re feeling like you need all the help you can get, it might be right for you.
The ultimate goal is just making sure that you are utilizing your connections with people. It’s truly incredible how many people wind up where they are because of networking – it can definitely work out in your favor too!
The Paper
A traditional job hunt source, the city paper still carries job ads in it. It might be worth checking out, especially if you want to stay in the same area.
Websites
There is an incredible number of websites that one can utilize to help find a job. Indeed.com, Monster.com, and GlassDoor.com are all popular places to start; ask your family and friends if they have had any luck with other websites that you could look into. Major cities often have their own job search engines specific for that area and smaller cities may offer lists of different companies that you could look at for jobs.
LinkedIn is also a great resource for job searching so if you haven’t started a profile yet, definitely look into it! Not only can you network on it, but you can also search specific companies for openings – some companies don’t even post job openings on their websites anymore, they only use LinkedIn. You can find some LinkedIn tips here to make sure your profile is ready to go!
Headhunters and Recruiting Agencies
Again, ask your family and friends if they have any recommendations on an agency to go through – but know that just because they worked for them, that doesn’t mean you will necessarily have the same luck. This is a great option if you aren’t able to focus any of your time on job hunting yourself and have only been networking; in order to get the best results however, make sure your resume is spotless and you absolutely present the best “you” possible. Typically, this type of service also comes with a fee – make sure you know the costs and when to pay before you sign up to use them.
If you are starting the job search or even in the middle of one, I hope this post helps you even just a little bit. Looking for a job can get overwhelming very quickly so try your best to stay organized and positive, and just keep moving forward.
Do you have any other ideas for those looking for a job? Are you currently looking for a job and using any of the resources above?
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Photo by Kate Hiscock
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Great tips! I think the emphasis on tapping the resources of the people you know can’t be emphasized enough. Sometimes certain positions don’t get advertised- and sometimes if potential employers are impressed enough with you, they may be willing or able to create a position for you!!
colormefrugal Thank you! Definitely agree with everything you said – many times it’s just tapping the people you know to get that new position!
Networking matters a lot! Attend job fairs, call up old friends – you never know what might click! Some excellent tips here!
moneycone Thank you! It is hard to know what will land you that job in the end, but you never know until you try some different things!
I definitely think that utilizing your connections is the quickest way to a job. That and reaching out directly to people in the companies you’d like to work for, or at least people in the industry you’d like to work in. Much better to go directly to a human than to try and send your resume into electronic purgatory.
Matt @ Mom and Dad Money The power of networking and the human connection is incredible and can do great things for you, for sure! And don’t even get me started on emailing a cover letter and resume….
Most people I know seem to get their jobs based on “who they know.” It certainly doesn’t hurt to have a large network of friends and acquaintances.
Holly at ClubThrifty It does really seem to work that way the most!
I have found most of my past jobs through Craigslist. I know not everyone has success with it, and it can be difficult to sort through the ads as most of them don’t name the company they are for, but I didn’t really have much of a network coming out of college. That was a mistake, as networking seems to be very beneficial when you’re looking at industry-specific jobs.
JourneytoSaving Networking is what I always emphasize when I’m talking with people about their future jobs/careers – it really can help. And whatever website works for you during the job search, works for you! Every person will have their different preferences for what they find to be the best for them.
I have never looked in the paper, on the basis that if they are posting a job in the paper, it’s not a a job for a company I’d want to work for! I want to work for a company that has it at least somewhat together, technologically.
Suburban Finance Very interesting take! Some companies do utilize both, but if that is a must for you and you’re happy with your method of finding jobs, then that is what works for you!
Great tips for job hunting! I’d agree with the other about the power of networking, which goes along with your idea of letting everyone know. You never know who someone else is going to know, so it only makes sense to broadcast what you’re looking for.
FrugalRules Thank you! Networking can never be emphasized enough!
I haven’t looked for a job in a while, but like Indeed as it seems to aggregate a lot of jobs from different sites. I think social media is very important nowadays…it’s always good to know someone in the industry you want the job in. Headhunters and recruiters are very useful too, depending on the field…I think most of the time, the company pays the fee, but you should probably make sure of that.
Andrew LivingRichCheaply Social media and job searching actually goes hand-in-hand beautifully and you can never go wrong reaching out to someone in the industry you are interested in! And definitely make sure you understand the fees before signing up for a headhunting and recruiting service – they each do it slightly differently and you don’t want to be blindsided!
Letting everyone know has helped me more than anything. I’ve gotten gigs from posting a facebook status!
brokeandbeau That’s awesome! When you let people know, it really can open up a lot of doors and possibilities!
My husband has had great success being open about his job loss on Facebook! He’s even found expat job opportunities!
fitisthenewpoor Wow, that’s incredible!
Network. period.
It all really comes down to who you know — which is why you’re “Let Everyone Know” point is right on the nose. I’ve recently started to beef up my LinkedIn just to stay proactive about job hunting, even though I have a steady FT job and a decent side hustle.
BrokeMillennialyou can never do enough networking! Good for you for beefing up your LinkedIn as it can never hurt, only help!
I would suggest attending network events as well. Meet with people that have the job you want. Take them out to coffee. I think it’s important for people to always network, because you never know what opportunity is right around the corner.
deardebtThat is a great idea! And yes, you never know :)
Very relevant post right now! I’m looking for a new job, but I always hesitate to ask people for help – especially if I haven’t really kept up with them lately. Any suggestions on where I can find a script or email template for reaching out to those I haven’t talked to in a while?