Operating a job search can be a full-time job. There are tons of avenues and resources out there and you want to make sure you’re keeping all your options open and pursuing all opportunities, you’ve got to invest a lot of time. In addition to keeping your social media profiles up-to-date and getting your resume to the right people, you need to explore all the commonly overlooked job resources. Here are six community resources for finding a new job.
Yes, you graduated a number of years ago, but your college can still be a big resource for you. Many companies post jobs with local career centers to try and find both recent graduates and more experienced alumni. Many colleges have updated their databases and career services platforms so that they’re more user-friendly and accessible to current students and alumni.
No matter what you do for a living, there’s likely an industry association that sponsors member events, professional development, and networking opportunities. Take advantage if them! Those events are a great way to get to know people who might be able to make valuable introductions for you. They might have their own job boards or email newsletters with job postings.
Large companies are establishing networking opportunities among their alumni, full of contact information and current positions. They’re worth looking into as someone who worked for the same company as you at one point is more likely to help you with your job search or aid you in networking.
Read up on the trends and issues in your industry in relevant magazines and newsletters in your industry. These publications, many of which are now digital, usually feature job postings and articles about job trends. And you can follow most of them through social media, so you can get updates even more frequently.
Facebook has an increasing number of professional organizations—some are invite-only or closed groups—but they provide a lot chances to glean advice and industry intelligence. You can share best practices, build valuable relationships, and let people know when you’re looking for a job.
Perhaps best of all resources are your local staffing companies. They have expertise in your industry, a deep network of employers, experience matching candidates to companies successfully, and access to new job openings before they’re even made public. A recruiter can be your advocate, widening the breadth of your search and working on your behalf to get you hired in a position that’s a good fit for you.
More than 35 years ago, our founder, Helen Walsh said, “Always remember, without our field employees we all would not have our jobs!”
That has not changed, but we have continued to evolve. When you step into our offices today or speak to one of our staff members, you will see a 21st century staffing and recruiting firm that understands the challenges of today’s job seeker. Contact us today to find a great job near you!