Job Searching Techniques

Things have come a long way since jobs were solely advertised in the classified sections of newspapers and the internet has played a large part in this. However, along with new technologies comes a raft of new techniques for finding vacancies, which can be confusing for the average job hunter. Here are a few techniques for tracking down your perfect job.

- Use the internet. It sounds obvious but a surprising number of people dismiss online search as too big and unwieldy. However, it’s the single biggest resource you have. Millions of jobs are advertised online everyday, it’s a matter of being smart in how you search for them. Whether you’re looking for temporary work or permanent, part time or full time, you’ll find something to suit you online. Check jobs boards for your industry sector, and try googling your job title and location to see what comes up in the vicinity.

- Recruitment agencies are another aid in the search for a job. Some agencies specialise in particular sectors so you’ll need to do your research to determine which is the best agency for you. Others are more generalist and carry vacancies for a large array of industries. One such is reed.co.uk who advertise hundreds of jobs in London alone, in various sectors – check out their website for more details.

- Attend industry networking events. This is an often overlooked method of job hunting – whilst it may seem a bit intimidating, going to these can often yield great results and it’s always valuable to make contacts within your industry. It also shows that you as a job seeker are proactive and capable of going beyond what’s expected of you, qualities that will set you apart from other candidates and that any potential employer will appreciate.

- Use word of mouth. Tell anyone and everyone that you’re looking for work and give a clear idea of the kind of work you’re looking for. You never know, those six degrees of separation may work to your benefit.

- Mix it up. The most successful job hunters don’t rely on a single source for hearing about the latest vacancies; they mix it up, checking out different resources for the latest tip. You’ll need to be proactive about your search for jobs, rather than hoping for opportunity to knock without having to put the effort in.