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Conducting a Job Search
Conducting a job search is not always the
easiest thing to do. While there are hundreds of ways to conduct a job
search knowing the right keys to conducting a job search will make it
easier and more effective. When it comes to the World Wide Web there are
many sources of information to obtain that is free. Three basic steps for
conducting a job search are preparing, implementing the search, and
maintaining the search.
The first step to getting a job is deciding
what you want to do. Getting any type of job just to have work will not
make you, the employer, or co-employees happy. Take time to think about
the type of job you want. Do you want to work inside or outside? Do you
want to be in an office? What type of work do you enjoy doing? What are
the things most important to you in finding work? What professional goals
do you have for the future? Will you be happy working for this company?
Asking these questions will help you in your job search. Check out your
career options by looking at America’s Career InfoNet and/or The
Occupational Outlook Handbook.
The next step should be a research about
different types of jobs as well as different companies. This research will
help you sell yourself as a positive candidate during the interview. Many
companies have information such as history, philosophy, and etc. Having
background information about a company will be beneficial in writing the
resume and the cover letter. Use the background information about a
company to write the resume. Use key words or “buzz” words for
different duties of the employees.
Implementing the job search should begin
with networking. This is a great way to learn about different companies
and a great way to get referrals. Networking is talking to people about
the type of job you want, but never ask directly for them to give you a
job. Sometimes meeting people and developing friendships will later lead
to the referral you need. Sometimes these friends may know people who work
for different companies and they can tell them about you. Networking is a
great way to get interviews but the rest is up to you.
Conducting a job search should include
print sources and online sources. Check some of these publications to see
if they have job listings for the specific type of work you want: College
Placement Annual, Moody’s Manuals, The Wall Street Journal, professional
journals, and various newspapers of the area. Ask the librarian for
information about print sources. She/he will usually know what print and
online sources are available in the library and often may know key words
in helping to conduct the job search.
Various different indexes are available on
the Internet. Many of these are listed in alphabetical order. Another way
to conduct a job search is through using various search engines available
on the Internet. Search engines are devices that send out inquiries to
various sites on the web. There are search engines and metasearch engines
that can be used when conducting a job search on the Internet. Knowing
specific key words is important in using search engines. Websites for jobs
are numerous on the Internet. Many of these are quite legitimate but some
of these want your money and offer little service. It is important to
check these websites for reliability.
Many of the websites will ask for
information that you may not want to give. In fact, be careful of giving
your personal information to any company until you know for certain that
it is a legitimate and trustworthy company. Never register on a website
until you have researched the company. It is important to read all the
instructions and have a thorough understanding of how the company uses
your personal information before listing it.
Some keys for conducting a job search are:
· Know the type of job you want
· Do research on companies where you would like to work
· Send out resumes and cover letters
· Check both printed and online sources for job opportunities
Stay in touch with companies where you have
placed your resume. Sometimes companies may not be hiring one day and the
next they need someone. Follow up with all resumes sent and keep checking
back because eventually the door may open for employment.
Remember preparation begins with knowing
the type of job you want and creating a resume. Implementing the job
search starts with networking. Maintaining the job search is checking back
with companies to see if they may be hiring later on. These three keys
will make a difference in the job search.
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