Job Hunting Strategies

[charlabob]

I just got this from another list — it’s a good summary.

There’s also a local to west seattle networking blog (with meet-ups). Here’s a link to the WSB article introducing it

Jobless in West Seattle? Keri wants to meet you

JOB SEEKING (article from AIRS Real Tools Email Newsletter, April 2009)

By Paula Santonocito

Job Seeking

Nationwide, approximately 6.14 million people now collect unemployment insurance.

Although individual circumstances vary, it’s safe to assume most unemployed Americans are seeking jobs.

And they’re not alone. People who have settled for lesser jobs in terms of pay, skill level, and/or number of hours are among those looking for employment opportunities as well.

But how do people seek jobs in 21st century America?

Job Boards. By some counts, there are approximately 40,000 online job boards and employment sites. In addition to the big guys, there are now niche sites for nearly every industry, job category, professional affiliation, and geographic location. Tools at these sites vary, from basic job postings and resume databases to communities where members network.

Corporate Careers Sites. In recent years, corporate careers sites have become more robust. Better sites, coupled with employment branding efforts, have made some of these sites destinations for job seekers.

Newspaper Ads. Yes, newspaper ads. Granted, most newspaper ads today are online, and those ads are sometimes integrated with job sites. However, it’s worth noting that people still read newspapers offline and job seekers peruse print ads for employment opportunities.

Job Fairs. Technology allows for virtual job fairs, and organizations do sponsor such events. Nevertheless, live job fairs remain extremely popular. Why? When competition is fierce, face-to-face seems to be the preferred method of interaction. One reason may be the perceived expedience associated with live events.

Pink Slip Parties. If this feels like déjà vu, don’t worry; you’re not having a senior moment. Pink slip parties, which first became popular during the dot-com bust, have made a comeback. Live, casual meet-and-greet get-togethers, pink slip parties give job seekers and potential employers a chance to mingle. Among job sites to recently sponsor pink slip parties are All CountyJobs.com and JobCircle.

Online Social Networking. For many job seekers, Web 2.0 isn’t the next thing; it is the thing. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter are among the most popular venues for online interaction. Although you may think LinkedIn is the primary tool for business networking, Facebook and Twitter are gaining ground when it comes to connecting for professional purposes. Jobs are sought, and found, at both sites.

Offline Networking. In addition to formal, job-seeking group events, like job fairs and pink slip parties, people still meet in person for the purpose of networking with an eye on career opportunities. Association meetings and mixers, for example, allow for group interaction. Meanwhile, when colleagues meet for lunch, dinner or drinks these days, the conversation invariably turns to employment matters. In other words, even when they’re not officially job seeking, people often find themselves in career exploration mode.

Employee Referral. In a competitive job market, who you know takes on greater significance. Employee referral, often with an online component, remains a primary method of employment.

Recruitment Agencies. Job seekers, particularly at the level of middle management and above, continue to engage the services of recruitment professionals.

College and Alumni Services. College students, recent grads, and past grads tap into various services offered by their alma maters. These services include job listings, career fairs, employer-sponsored events, and more.

Temporary Employment. Job seekers sometimes look to temporary employment as a means to permanent placement.

Applying In-Person. Restaurants and retail establishments are among businesses that still attract walk-in job seekers, who fill out applications (often paper documents) for employment. When an employer is hiring, help wanted signs encourage more job seekers to follow this process.

Creative Methods. It seems as though creative options for job seeking are only limited by job seeker imagination. From standing on a street corner with a sign, to posting a clever video on YouTube, to enlisting the assistance of a spouse, job seeker stories abound.

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