12 Search Tips To Get You Started
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Network with everyone - A friend of a friend of a friend can give you the inside track on a position not yet advertised, so keep those lines of communication open by telling all your friends, neighbors and family about your job search. Many will share your information with their friends and family, and greatly expand the number of people in your network.
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Check individual company website - Many companies are avoiding the cost of classified or job-board ads and simply posting job openings on their own websites. Make a habit of regularly checking the websites of the company that you would like to work for, and you may be first in line for a job interview.
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Read your trade magazines - There are trade magazines for almost every type of job. Many companies make it a practice to advertise open job positions to a qualified audience, rather than open the position to the public. You might also learn of industry or profession trends that will be helpful in your job search.
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Attend professional convention - Conventions are prime spots to network and pursue possible job leads. Depending on the type of convention, you can ask attendees and business representatives if they know of an opening in their company. Be sure to get their name and number to follow-up on any tips. Also, pass out your business card with current contact information in case they hear of anything in the future.
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Join a professional organization - Even if you are not working in the profession, join the professional organization for your industry. Many times such organizations have online forums where members post new job leads. They may also have a newsletter that includes classifieds by companies or organizations, as well as meetings that offer networking opportunities.
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Stay connected to your college - Colleges often provide job search help for students and alumni. Many keep databases of current jobs and offer career counseling to help find a position.
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Ask department managers for a job - Human resource departments are usually the last ones in a company to know about future job openings. Get ahead of the pack by calling the department manager and asking if there are any open positions in the department. Even if the manager says no, you will at least have gotten their attention and may be called in the future for a job opening.
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Let someone else look for you - Recruiters make their living by matching people with companies. Companies pay large fees to recruiters to find employees for highly qualified positions or specialties. You may send in your resume and cover letter to these types of agencies and let them do the job search for you.
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Sign-up with the unemployment office - You do not have to be unemployed to get job help from the government. NYS has the entire process online, so you can search from home for openings in your area. (See Workforce1 Career Center)
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Don't forget your own company - If you are looking for a higher paid position or new challenge, consider looking at your current company. You can easily find job leads through the human resources department, and often you will be first to be considered for a position since you already have a history with the company.
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Labor unions - Labor unions provide various employment services to members and potential members, including apprenticeship programs that teach a specific trade or skill. Contact the appropriate labor union or State apprenticeship council for more information.
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Federal Government - Information on obtaining a position with the Federal Government is available from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) through USAJOBS, the Federal Government's official employment information system. This resource for locating and applying for job opportunities can be accessed through the Internet at www.usajobs.gov or through an interactive voice response telephone system at (866) 204-2858, or TDD (978) 461-8404. These numbers are not all toll free, and telephone charges may result.
More Sources of Help & Information
If you don't have access to a computer at home, your local library has free computer and internet access.
New York City's Workforce1 Career Centers provide job seekers with a full array of free employment services, including job placement, career counseling, professional development, and access to training opportunities. Help is available both online, and in person
Services include: Workshops, Career Counseling, & Job Search Resources.
Tel: (718) 246-5219
Brooklyn Central Library's Education & Job Information Center (EJIC)
The EJIC is a free service for job hunters, career changers, and students of all ages. The center is open whenever the Central Library is open. Telephone: (718) 230-2177. Address: 10 Grand Army Plaza.
Additional Sources of Information:
The NYS Department of Labor's website offers help with resume writing, interview techniques as well as apprenticeship opportunities, training grants, on-line job listings, and job fair opportunities: www.labor.ny.gov/lookingforajob.shtm
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics offers interview tips at: www.bls.gov/oco/oco20045.htm
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I have informed my network about my job search ____
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I regularly check company websites for job openings ____
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I read trade magazines to keep myself informed on relevant professional/industry trends as well as posted job openings ____
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I have attended professional conventions and used the opportunity to expand my network ____
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I have joined a professional organization relating to my industry, taking advantage of online forum job postings, newsletters classifieds, and meetings advertised by the organization ____
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I have checked with my college, taking advantage of college database job postings as well as job counseling programs ____
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I have contacted the department manager of the company I would like to apply for regarding job openings ____
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I have sent copies of my resume and cover letter to recruiting agencies ____
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I have looked into NYS programs that can aid me in my job search (see Workforce1) ____
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I have spoken to the human resources department at my current job ____
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I have contacted labor unions and/or appropriate apprenticeship councils regarding possible job openings ____
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I have looked into job openings available with the Federal Government ____