The Path to Finding a Job
They say finding a new job is easier when you already have one, but either way, it’s just not a fun thing to do. You may want to change companies for a new position or completely change your career. It can be hard to know what to look for and how to go about finding a job. It is becoming increasingly more difficult to find positions if you are a recent graduate or entry level because most jobs at entry level positions need at least 2 years of experience. So, how are you supposed to get experience when you’ve been in school and it’s an entry level position?
Even if you are a recent graduate or you do have experience, it can still be difficult to find a job. Below are some helpful tips to finding a job, not matter what phase of your career you are in.
Work your network. You never know who somebody may know. Reach out to family and friends and see who they know. More opportunities become available the more you reach out and talk to people. If there is someone who has a position you want or works for a company you are interested in, grab a coffee and pick their brain. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice on what you should do.
Use LinkedIn. Besides connecting to people, you can also use LinkedIn to help you with the job search. You can follow companies you are interested in and find the Human Resource (HR) Manager and have your connections connect you with someone they know. Through LinkedIn you are able to send “Inmail” to people who you want to talk to and get more information about the company or position if you don’t know them personally.
Attend networking events. Although it seems that a lot of finding a job is networking, the reality is that it’s the truth. A lot of finding a position is who you know. If you are able to attend a networking event, either one you were invited to, or one a friend invited you to, go to the event. You never know who you will meet and what conversations you have. There have been networking events I’ve been to where I’ve had conversations that led me to think about a potential career that I never considered before. Talking to more people will help you either broaden or narrow down your search, depending on the conversations.
Contact a recruiter. A recruiter’s job is to help company’s find the right candidates for the job. Some people may feel too proud to use a recruiter, but the reality is that recruiters are very effective. Companies contact recruiters directly for positions. Many times companies contact recruiters with positions that they don’t even post online. Working with a recruiter allows you to have a direct line with the company/position, whereas simply submitting an application online can cause you resume to become lost in the shuffle.
Be vulnerable, but be yourself. Be open to working in a position you didn’t think of initially. Allow people to give you advice and try different things. While job searching you need to be open to any possibility that comes your way. However, if you know you don’t have an interest in sales or that’s not your personality, don’t try to force yourself into a sales position. If you don’t have a passion or interest in sales, you wouldn’t do very well. Know what types of roles or skills you are interested in and are good at because this will help you narrow the search, but also help you be more selective in finding a position that’s a good fit.
Finding a job is not easy nor fun. Although these are only a few tips, there are so many different ways of going about finding a position. Each industry is unique, and each candidate is unique. Most importantly, stay positive and know that at some point, an opportunity will present itself.
Laura Nelson, LEED GA – Business Analyst
