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07.10

Four Ways to Broaden Your Job Search for Results

By Elizabeth Lions

When facing a job change, it’s easy to get caught up thinking there is only one way to find work — by applying online. However, studies have shown that when it comes to achieving results, online job shopping isn’t as effective as other strategies. Instead of spinning your wheels on popular job sites alone, try structuring your job hunt as a tiered approach that will uncover the hidden job market, in addition to finding the jobs that are readily available online. Time and consistency produce results in most worthwhile endeavors, and the job hunt is no different.  I believe in this theory because, as a former technical recruiter, I’ve tested and tried it in sales many times. Instead of pursuing the obvious, I always look for other possibilities that may turn into revenue and opportunities for my clients. What I’ve found and passed onto others, with success, is that trying several channels at once will eventually lead to the right job. Furthermore, over the years in my own job search, I’ve followed this simple recipe to the letter and it never fails me.

Think of the job search as a process or a simple check list. Each day, you follow the bullet points and then let it go. Following is the simple, four-step process that I have given to many clients:

1. Go where you know. Yes, you should look at and respond to online postings. You know there is an open job there. You know they are hiring. Put some energy into that activity, but know also that you will also have considerable competition, as others are sure to see the ad and apply.
    

2. Create a target list of 10-15 companies that you would love to work for in the future. Choose places about which you’ve heard good things, or places where you love the product or technology that they produce. You should have some level of passion and excitement for the organization where you work. Do some preliminary exploratory work on each of the organizations that make your list, and then search for a contact within each of those organizations. That individual could be your conduit for future job opportunities — advertised or not — within that company.
    

3. Network. Ah, the dreaded word: Networking. Why is it that we shy away from this critical piece of the job hunt? Statistically, most jobs are found through who you know and not through random postings. And the likelihood that you will be happy in a job where you are networked in goes up dramatically. The reason behind this greater satisfaction rate is because a job found through networking is more of a known quantity than one found through a posting. In the latter, who knows, the boss may be a jerk. The company may not be profitable. You won’t know that until you go to the interview and move deeper into the hiring process. Networking, on the other hand, yields job leads from people that you know. You know your contacts and they know you and your work, and they can introduce you to opportunities that are open or may open up within their companies.
    

4. Expand your LinkedIn Network. Whenever possible, connect with owners. You never know if there is a posting or a position that may come open, and you want to be prepared to move on it if it happens. While you can’t be online constantly, growing your network will allow you to passively see what might be out there. While I don’t put an overwhelming amount of stock in online networks, and I haven’t seen them produce a lot of jobs, I do think it is worth putting some energy into being online and connecting there. The downside to this approach, and why it doesn’t always work, is because, at the end of the day, people connect with people. If you connect with someone on LinkedIn this month, will he or she remember you in sixty days if a position comes up? Do you think they will remember your title? Maybe. Maybe not. Face-to-face networking is more effective, but there is still a chance something may come of online activity, so if you can spend some time pumping up your LinkedIn network, it may pay off.

Regardless of the activity, the one constant you need to continually impress upon yourself is that you are moving on. Whether you are currently employed or unemployed, you still have to put in the legwork to produce a successful job search. Following the steps above is a constant reminder that you really are intent on getting another job. Energy collects and spins into motion. If you employ a process and see it through, you will achieve results.

Elizabeth Lions is an author and career coach, specializing in working with engineers. Her book Recession Proof Yourself! can be found at www.elizabethlions.com

Comments may be submitted to todaysengineer@ieee.org.