If you are conducting a job search, especially if it’s the first time or it has been a long time since you’ve done it, you may be a bit unsure exactly how to go about it. Here are some strategies that you can pursue.
1. Using a staffing agency
If you need to jump-start your job search, a good place to begin is with a staffing agency like Opti. A good agency knows how to match you with jobs that fit your talents and interest. They can help prepare you for applications and interviews. They have well-established relationships with many different businesses.
2. Networking
This is the most effective way to find a job, and most jobs are found using this strategy. You should stay in touch with former classmates, coworkers, colleagues, supervisors, friends, and relatives, all of whom might be useful sources of information in a job search.
Maintaining contact is important because it is more difficult to re-establish a relationship if you have not spoken to them in a long time. If you call them just to see if they know of any job prospects, they are much less likely to help you in this situation.
Networking is a reciprocal relationship. While you are asking for something, you need to be able to contribute as well. Your contribution could be in the form of information, contacts, or ideas.
3. Social media
It is essential these days to have a LinkedIn account. You should keep your LinkedIn profile up to date and focused on recruiters and hiring managers, who now routinely look through LinkedIn and similar sites for possible new hires.
LinkedIn also provides a platform for groups of people in the same profession to communicate and share ideas with each other.
You can also enhance your online presence by blogging and responding to the posts written by colleagues online, which may help to get you noticed by recruiters.
4. Informational interviews
As the name implies, the purpose of these interviews is to gather information about a particular company or about your profession. They are not job interviews and should not be treated as job interviews. The purpose is exclusively to gather information.
Informational interviews are helpful in learning about particular companies and getting to meet new people who may be able to help you in your job search.