Learn How to Find Job Opportunities

Seeking employment opportunities can seem like a full-time job with all the time and effort put into looking for open positions, sending resumes and filling out applications.

However, finding your next job can be easy if you utilize the resources available to job seekers. Below is a list of approaches that can help you locate work openings as well as a strategic plan to obtain employment.

Job Boards and Career Sites

The antiquated job board was simply a place for employers to post employment opportunities in a publicly viewed area. Modern online career sites are similar in purpose, as businesses list available positions, but they also encourage job hunters to post resumes. Career websites offer additional career building resources like resume services. More than 40 percent of applications stem from job boards, while over 30 percent of applications derive from career sites. Applying on job sites is sometimes as easy as uploading your resume and clicking on each available job. However, some positions require applicants to fill out digital applications.

Utilize Your Contacts

The expression, “It’s not what you know but who you know” is particularly true when searching for employment. Referrals are the top way job seekers find employment. Businesses value employee referrals, as recommendations are more cost effective than traditional search and hiring practices. Although referrals make up only seven percent of applications, more than 40 percent of hires are recommendations from current employees. Referred employees also start sooner than other new hires.

Initiate by contacting associates closer to your field of expertise like former coworkers and school alumni. These contacts are more likely to know of opportunities for which you are qualified. Next, reach out to friends and family members about known vacancies as well as to keep you in mind if they hear about new possibilities. For example, while your cousin may not have an open position at his job, his wife’s sister’s boss may be looking for a new employee.

Networking is another great way to discover job openings. If there is a company you have an interest in working for, check to see if there is someone you know connected with someone who works there. Sometimes, getting an employee referral is just meeting an employee with a similar association. However, it is important to prepare for contacting and meeting other professional by having a planned list of positive personal attributes. Networking is similar to the interview process, as you must present yourself as a valuable addition to the workforce. Nonetheless, it is important not to inundate new contacts with relentlessly long emails, phone calls and meetings.

Social Media

While social media sites can help job seekers network with other professionals, it is beneficial to utilize only the ones with a focus on career building, as messages to employers from personal accounts appear unprofessional. Employment-oriented networking websites are a hybrid between career sites and personal social media accounts. These sites allow job seekers to look for open positions, post their resume and learn more about other professionals and businesses. Professional sites are a great place to network.

Weekly Job Search

When applying for employment, quality is better than quantity. Hiring managers and human resources directors receive an overwhelming amount of applications, so job petitioners must be able to stand out from other applicants. Those who send applications between 9 and 11 a.m. during the beginning of the week have the best opportunity for consideration. Recruiters tend to stop searching in the afternoon and later in the week. Friday afternoons and weekends are the worst time to apply. Utilize these off times to finesse your cover letter and resume.

Since you may be applying to dozens of employment opportunities, it is beneficial to keep a tracking sheet. Tracking sheets should have dates and notes about the application process and the position. Keeping notes about the available job can assist you when employers return contact and ask about personal information or a print out of your resume for the interview.