Career Paths

The Beginning: The Best Way to Find a Job

If you’re looking for a new challenge, or want to climb the career ladder, you’ll be on the look-out for a new job. But if you think you’ll land one just by scanning the wanted ads, you’re likely to be wrong.

Your chances of clinching a job via jobs advertised in the newspapers is actually close to zero, so what should you do to find a job? Start off by updating your resume and your LinkedIn profile. Then make job-hunting your priority by following these tips.

Use Social

If you don’t already have a social profile, make that a priority. It’s a powerful way of connecting with people who can help you land your dream job. Search and connect with people who are in the industry you’re targeting, and who perhaps have similar qualifications, or went to the same university or college.

If you work in marketing, try to connect with all potential employers and human resources departments in the industry. Set yourself a deadline for doing this.

Connect with your own network

We all know more people than we think we do, and any one of these people could be the key to landing the right job. List the people you know and identify three or four people you haven’t spoken to for a year or longer.

Arrange to meet one or more of them. You never know what doors they might be able to open for you. Identify 20 people in your network and think of ways in which you can strengthen your connection with them.

Go to events

Whether it’s an event organised by a professional body or by a charity, attend as many events as you can. Talk to one or more people there that you haven’t met before. They could refer you to someone who could help.

Contact fellow alumni

Attend alumni events in your area and aim to strengthen your network. Connect with alumni on LinkedIn, especially if they are in the same industry or profession as you.

Contact headhunters

If you are a senior-level professional, it’s likely your next job will come about as a result of a recommendation or via a headhunter. Many jobs are never advertised, and headhunters are in the best position to know what vacancies are open or coming up. Identify a maximum of three headhunters, preferably those who specialise in your industry.

Be perfectly prepared for your meetings with them and be convincing but honest. Headhunters can help you with how to explain difficult things on your resume to an interviewer and prepare you for meeting a potential employer. Expect plenty of feedback.

Search job websites

There are many job websites on which you can post your resume. Be sure not to divulge your personal details for all to see. Consider setting up a separate email address for contact from these sites so that your personal information stays private. Take down your resume when you get a job.