Top 5 Ways People Find Their Jobs

 

1. Network

Building up a strong and sizable network of friends, associates and professionals you can go to in a job hunt is a major advantage in finding a job. According to a 2010 survey by the Right Management Manpower Group, 62 percent of North American job seekers found work through networking. A starting point in a job search is to let your network know that you're looking for work and to inquire about opportunities.

2. Get Temporary Work

As you search, taking temporary employment can fill an income need while also providing access to potential employers. Companies often evaluate their temporary workers' performances for full-time, permanent opportunities. Even if the employer isn't hiring at that moment, you may get a recommendation or referral to another company or job if you perform well. The Right Management survey indicated that 11 percent of North Americans found work through placement agencies in 2010, making them a top job source.

3. Show Off Socially

The Internet and social media tools provide new platforms for personal branding and job searching. The online social media company LinkedIn is one major resource for job searches. You can maintain contact with people in your network and find new contacts by searching the site's professional profiles for hiring managers and recruiters. When used properly, Facebook is another social media tool you can use to build and maintain personal and professional networks. Facebook is sometimes criticized as a deterrent to job searches if misused. However, if you use your Facebook profile to showcase your professional side instead of your party side with work experiences and talents, you might attract positive attention from prospective employers.

4. Send Interest Letters

A letter of interest is similar to a cover letter. The difference is you send the letter to express interest in potential opportunities at a company rather than in response to a specific job posting. Research and develop a list of several companies where you would like to work. Send a customized letter to a specific hiring manager at the company. Note your familiarity with the company, your interests in working for it and how your skills and experiences can help the company operate more effectively.

5. Search Job Postings

Job postings are one of the most common ways people search for jobs. Though not often as successful as personal networking, people do find jobs through help wanted listings. Internet job boards were the second leading job source for North Americans in 2010 at 25 percent and job ads were the fourth leading source in the Right Management survey at 2 percent. An October 2012 article in "The Wall Street Journal" noted that employers are increasingly using help wanted ads to convey the profile of a desired candidate rather than the detailed functions of the position. Success with this search technique normally depends on finding the right job description to match your interests and abilities.

SOURCE:work.chron.com