Building your unique personal brand empowers you to influence others and the opportunities they can offer you. In a job search, it’s critical that you remain mindful and focused on your reputation and personal brand and aware of what your target audience needs. We call this “strategic positioning.” This means your information and positioning is targeted and focused to the goals and needs of the audience you seek to impact. Then, use these 5 resources to ensure your job search produces an opportunity that is right for you.
- Job Searching Sites – This one is probably obvious and generally everyone’s first go to. There are hundreds of them and some are better for different industries. You’ve got your big ones like Monster, CareerBuilder, Glassdoor, Indeed, etc. There are also ones specific to industry, freelance gigs, part time work, virtual jobs, etc. You can search for jobs, post your resume, and make your information accessible to people to search for your resume…the options are endless. Keep in mind is that these are national job searching sites so there’s a lot of competition, and employers are going to be wading through thousands and thousands of resumes, so make sure your resume is free of errors, is specific for the job you’re pursuing, and speaks to the companies recruiting. This makes you stand out!
- Company Websites – Perhaps a more targeted way of finding a job you’d really love is to make a list of companies that you’d like to work for. Then you can check the career section on those company’s websites for job openings. Applying through the actual website of the company may yield you a better chance of getting your resume noticed as they will have less applicants that come in that way.
- Social Media – Social media sites like Facebook and LinkedIn have job searching sections on their sites now. In addition, LinkedIn enables you to change a setting in your profile where it will show that you are actively looking for work so that people can find you based on the skills you have listed on your LinkedIn profile. Another way you could use social media sites is to just post it out there that you’re looking for a job and be specific about the kind of work you’re looking for! You’d be surprised how much response you may get where someone or someone who knows someone else is looking for a person just like you to fill a position. Online networking works!
- Informational Interviews – What if companies you’re interested in don’t have a job posted that fits your skills? Set up an informational interview with them. Meet with someone in the company, learn about their work, culture and career opportunities. This helps you get to know the company and will serve two purposes. 1. You will learn if it really is a company you want to work for. 2. They’ll get to know you and if a position does come open that fits your skills, they’ll think of you (because of course you’ll leave your information and periodically follow up with them).
- Networking – Probably the most powerful tool to use when searching for a job is also often the least thought of: Networking! Sit down and make a list of neighbors who may work at a company you’d like to; friends who have a connection somewhere; anyone who knows you and would be able to speak highly of you and could put you in touch with someone on the inside of a company you’d desire to work for. One of the hardest parts of getting a new job is getting your foot in the door – getting your resume on the right desk for review. Connect with the people on your list and let them know what kind of job you’re looking for. Even if they don’t currently know of anything, by putting it out there, if they hear of something down the road, you’ll be on their mind, and they can mention your name.
Often times job searching takes multiple avenues to find one that’s the perfect fit. Try one way, and if it doesn’t work, don’t be afraid to try another!
