Job Search: 5 Steps to Your Next Career

Whether you are searching for your first job, a new job, or looking to change career paths altogether, diving in to the pool of job applicants can feel daunting. Take a deep breath, and follow this simple five-step job search process.

1. Start with people you know. No matter how technologically sophisticated the job hunt process becomes, the most effective way to find a job is still through physical networking.  Have you made business contacts through internships while in school?  Do you have friends or former coworkers who work in your desired field?  Let your contacts know that you are looking for employment, and give them a heads up that you are applying to their organization.

   Getting noticed is half the battle.  Networking might not get you the job, but it will most likely get your resume shuffled to the top of the pile.  Appear interested but not overbearing. Let your contacts know once that you have applied, and then follow up a week or two later with a polite inquiry.

2. Apply directly.If you already know where you want to work, apply directly.  This tip seems pretty obvious, but it is easy to get caught up in looking at job search sites and forget that you can go directly to an employer’s website (or their physical location) and apply.  Just be sure to follow their specified application process exactly as requested, and write a great cover letter tailored to that organization.  If you know you want to work for this company, your application materials should send that message.  Government, universities, and other large institutions generally prefer that you apply to them directly, and have strict protocols that must be followed by each applicant.
3. Use online services.

   Out of the thousands of job search services on the Internet, we’ve selected a top five.  There may be more that are relevant to your industry or local area, but these are a great place to start.

   1. Indeed: search thousands of major job search sites, with one job title search.
      Indeed is powerful, simple, and can save you a great deal of work.
   2. Monster: Tired of applying for jobs?  Want to post your resume and let it do your talking for you?  Monster is probably the best-trafficked site to try this tactic.  Also includes a traditional job search component.
   3. Dice: Looking for a tech job?  Dice is the place to look for work with major technology companies and contracting services.  Like Monster, you can also post your resume and let employers come to you.
   4. Craigslist: A very inexpensive option for employers, Craigslist is probably the best place to look for small business, nonprofit jobs, and one-time gigs.  Be wary of a wide variety of scam artists using Craigslist’s generous posting policies to their advantage.
   5. Career Builder: Prefer newspaper classifieds?  Career Builder is designed to reflect traditional classified advertising categories, and has partnered with local papers and news outlets throughout the United States.  Popular with employers who might not be familiar with other online job search sites.
4. Apply to temporary/contracting agencies.Times are tough and many employers are cutting costs by hiring temporary or contract help.  If you have been unemployed for a while and need cash now, applying through an agency is probably your quickest route to a paycheck.  On the downside, you probably will not qualify for health insurance or other benefits.

   Be wary of any agency that requests a fee, as most reputable ones do not.  Many agencies still advertise prominently in local newspapers. A simple way to find the most popular agencies in your area is to pick up the paper, go to the jobs classifieds, and look for the largest ads.

5. Repeat, and Evaluate.Still unemployed?  Go through the steps again, and then go back to the drawing board.  Take a look at your resume and cover letters and consider edits or additions.  Think about the jobs to which you have applied, and whether or not they fit within your skills and experience.

   Finally, consider whether or not you are happy in your chosen career and consider other possiblities.  Maybe you haven’t found work because you feel ambivalent, maybe your field has been outsourced, or maybe you need to broaden your search to other job titles or locations.  Try to look at this time as an opportunity to make positive changes, to go back to school or start a whole new career.  Most importantly, maintain your confidence and know that your job is out there.