3 Effective Tips to Help Conduct a Job Search in the Most Efficient Way
Sometimes searching for a job can be time-consuming— especially when you’re looking for a job that aligns with your interests and career goals. Here are three tips that can help you conduct your job search more efficiently.
Tip #1: Look for jobs that align with your strengths.
What do you want to do? This is a question that is always asked, but never seems to have an easy answer. However, this is crucial when conducting a job search. Do you just simply want to work to make money, and nothing besides that really matters? If that’s the case, then there are plenty of options for you. For many people this is just simply not enough.
Should you do what you love or what you’re good at?
Psychology Today states that the saying “do what you love and you’ll never have to work” is not completely true. Every job is, in fact, work— even if it’s something that you love doing. You should, however, look for jobs that align with your strengths, as well as your current interests. It’s very likely that what you’re skilled in is something that interests you, therefore it is something you like doing.
Tip #2: Make a list of online job search sites, by purpose.
Ziprecruiter, Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn are some of the best websites to search for a job. However, you will want to use the strengths and weaknesses of each job search site to your advantage. For instance, LinkedIn is the best website for you if you’re wanting to connect directly with hiring managers. If you really want to get a feel of a company before you apply, and even get some insightful tips for interviews, then Glassdoor is your place. Other job search sites that are great for a particular type of job include:● FlexJobs.com for remote work● Scouted.io for recent college graduates● Snagajob.com for hourly work● The Ladders.com for experienced managers
You can also look to less conventional sites, like social media, and even the websites of certain brands to look for job postings. Usually a brand will have a “Careers” link at the bottom of their homepage where you can find job opportunities, or inquire about certain positions. You can even look into newsgroups on Usenet to find jobs more suited to your niche.
What is Usenet?
Developed in 1979 and launched in 1980, Usenet was a communication networking platform created for and by college students to exchange information from different campuses. Its users would post information on discussion boards called newsgroups, and there would be different newsgroups for a variety of scholarly topics. Today, Usenet is still around, but it has evolved tremendously over the past few decades. You can still share and access information, only now the topics of newsgroups have expanded to include virtually everything you can think of. You can also share, access, and download videos, images, and audio in addition to text articles.
With a variety of unrestricted topics and access to these topics, you’ll be able to network with others who have the same interests as you, which can potentially connect you to a job in your niche. Once you find a Usenet plan through a service provider, you’ll be able to access any and every newsgroup of your choice by searching a topic in the newsreader (the search engine tool for Usenet). While you may not get a job right away, you will definitely be connected to a greater and diverse community that can increase your opportunities.
Tip #3: Use networking to your advantage.
Networking is another efficient way to conduct a job search. Connect with people in your desired field or with people who have the same interests as you. The bigger your network, the more connections you’ll have. You will also want your social media accounts to reflect your accomplishments that align with your niche. Over 90% of employers use social media to screen applicants, so you’ll want them to see what you have to offer.
You’ll also want to network face-to-face (in the safest way possible, of course). Attend seminars and other social events in your areas of interest. Connect with people and express to them that you’re in search of a job, and they may have the connections to link you to hiring managers.
Finding a job that fits your needs, niche, and goals can be tough, but it can be done. Just don’t get discouraged and give up, the perfect job for you is out there!