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I was in a meeting the other day, went to sit down on a chair and almost fell. It turns out that one of the four legs was broken (although you could not tell because the chair was still standing). Funny thing, three perfectly good legs, one bum leg, and the chair can’t be used! Yeah, you might be able to sit on it if you didn’t lean to the side where the leg was broken but at some point, you will probably fall off.
There are four resources that you should use in your job hunt to keep your search balanced. While you might get away with two or three, four diverse resources are more likely to give you a balanced search and increase your chances of landing a job.
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Recruiters:
Recruiters should be a key part of your job search. Recruiters may have access to opportunities that are not listed anywhere else. Many companies do not advertise their open positions (especially the more senior positions). The key is to find a recruiter that is in your niche and industry. Identifying recruiters who can best help with
Whether you’re unemployed or just want to get a better job, this guide gives you a PLAN that you can start TODAY!
Job Search Sites:
It’s so easy to get lost in the rabbit hole of
What can you do to improve your chances of getting an
- Keep your list of
job search sites (Indeed.com, Monster.com, etc.) to no more than 3 sites. Find the sites that work best for you (many sites have similar jobs). Take a look at our 14 Job Search Resources post. - Setup specific job searches in each of the sites and saves them. Make sure they are unique and specific enough to get the best results. Sites like indeed.com allow you to create advanced job searches.
- Setup notifications so that you become aware of jobs as soon as they are posted (the early bird gets the
interview ). - Limit your applications to jobs that have been posted in the last two or three days (even 1 to 2 days). Anything older than that probably has too many submissions.
- Only apply for jobs that match your qualifications and skills. Sounds easy, but so many times we apply for jobs that are “close” to our experience (this may be a waste of time).
- If you are currently working, keep your
job search confidential. If you can’t tell which company you are applying to, don’t apply. The last thing you want to do is apply to your own company (yes, I’ve seen that before). - Best tip – Once you
find a job that matches all of the above, see if you can apply directly on the company’s career site (most companies have this as part of their corporate site). This may help to push your application up in theprocess . - Best tip two – Before applying, check to see if you know someone (or know someone who knows someone) at that company. This is where LinkedIn comes in handy.
- Upload
your resume to your small list ofjob search sites. Make sure you indicate that it is confidential to keep your own company from seeing it. Many recruiters (both private and within companies) do reverse searches (look for candidates onjob search sites). - Keep your search balanced. It’s easy to spend hours on
job search sites and, while there may be some great jobs there, you should also spend time working with recruiters and your network. Take a look at Art of the Job Search.
Social Networks:
networking, while always a key component of
While LinkedIn was the first career social network, there are now quite a few social networks that are leveraged by employers. According to a survey by CareerBuilder, more than 70% of employers use social networks to research candidates.
And while everyone knows
So how best to leverage social networks in
- 37 Ways to Meet People Who Can Refer You to Jobs – A great article by JobMob on how to successfully leverage social networks in
your job search . - 5 Mistakes to Avoid on Your LinkedIn Profile – Being on
LinkedIn is not always enough. Don’t make these mistakes on yourLinkedIn profile. - HIRED! Paths to Employment In The Social Media Era – This book looks at the steps today’s job seeker should take during their
job search to secure employment in the social media era.
Company Career Sites:
- Links to Jobs at Company Career Sites – This list, from CareerAlley.com (wait a minute, that’s me!), is a good start for your list. Don’t forget the links at the bottom of the page. Also, check out:
- Our list of Company Career Sites
Apply to your next job with confidence.
While other books focus only on crafting the perfect résumé or cover letter, the truth is, you need a strategy for the entire job application process.
A strategy that communicates your expereinces, achievements, and results in a way that provides value to hiring managers.
