Employment search strategies
We have all heard about job applicants who send out hundreds of resumes with very little success, while others get several offers. What are the differences between these two groups? The answer usually im'olves an ability to expand one' s experiences and use job search techniques effectively.
Obtaining Employment Experience
A common concern among people seeking employment is a lack of work experience. Many oppOltunities are available to obtain work-related training.
Part-time Employment
Summer and part-time work can provide expelience along with the chance to see if you enjoy a particular career field. The increased use of temporary employees has opened up opportunities to obtain experience in many career areas. Part-time work may also be of value for people who are changing careers and need experience in a different career field.
More and more workers are taking advantage of temporary job assignments as a channel to a full-time position. The number of temporary employment services and "interim" workers continues to increase. Working as a "temp" can give you valuable experience as well as contacts in various fields of employment.
Volunteer Work
Involvement in community organizations and government agencies can provide excellent opp0l1unities to acquire skills. establish good work habits. and make contacts. Volunteeling to work at the gift shop of a museum, for example. gives you experience in retailing. You may participate in a recycling project, assist at a senior citizens' center. or help supervise youth activities at a park district. These activities will help you develop skills applicable to other types of work situations.
Internships
In very competitive fields. an internship will give you the experience you need to obtain employment. During an internship, you can make contacts about available jobs. Applying for an intemship is similar to applying for a job. Most colleges and universities offer cooperative education and internships as part of their academic programs.
Campus Projects Class assignments and campus activities are frequently overlooked as work-related experience. You can obtain valuable career skills on campus from experience in
- Managing, organizing, and coordinating people and activities as an officer or a committee chairperson of a campus organization.
- Public speaking in class, campus, and community presentations.
- Goal setting. planning. supervising. and delegating responsibility in community service and class projects.
- Financial planning and budgeting gained from organizing fund-raising projects, managing personal finances. and handling funds for campus organizations.
- Conducting research for class projects. community organizations, and campus activities.
Using Career Information Sources
Career planning and advancement, like other financial decisions, are enhanced by the use of cunent and relevant information.
Library Materials Most school and community libraries have extensive career information sources. The Occupational Outlook Handbook covers all aspects of career planillng and job search and provides detailed information on jobs in various career clusters. Other helpful govemment resources related to careers are the Dictional} of Occupational Titles and the Occupational Outlook Quarterly.
Mass Media Career Information Most newspapers offer articles and columns about job searches and career trends. Newspapers, television reports, and radio reports also provide useful information about economic and social influences on careers. Changes in interest rates. consumer demand. and foreign trade are good indicators of job availability in various career areas.
World Wide Web The Internet offers a variety of information sources related to job opportunities. preparing a resume. interviewing. and other career planning topics.
Campus Placement Office Your school probably has a career planning and placement service. This office is likely to have materials on various career planning topics and can assist you in creating a resume and preparing for an interview.
Community Orgaizations Every community has business and civic groups you can use in your career search. Public meetings featuring industry leaders and business owners provide opportunities to become acquainted with local businesspeople.
Professional Associations
Various professions have organizations to promote their career areas. These organizations include the American Marketing Association, the Independent Insurance Agents of America. the American Society of Women Accountants, and the National Association of Real Estate Brokers. The Enevclopedia of A.ssociations can help you identify organizations representing careers that interest you.
Business Contacts
Professional contacts can advise you about career preparation and job oPP0l1unities. Friends. relatives. people you meet through community and professional organizations. and people you meet through school. work. church, or other activities are all potential business contacts. Networking is the process of makg and using contacts to obtain and update career information. Campus programs such - organizations, sports. and lectures can provide yaluable contacts. Every person you talk to is a potential career contact who may provide career information or assistance. Although the contacts you make may not be able to hire you. if jobs are available .hey can refer you to the right person. They can also help you get an informational terview, a meeting at which you gather information about a career or an organizan. When planning and using informational interviews. consider the following:
- Prepare a list of industries and organizations for which you would like to work. Talk to family. friends. coworkers. and others for names of people you might contact.
- Prepare a list of open-ended questions that will help you obtain information about current trends in the industry and potential employment opportunities. Make an appointment for a 20-minute meeting; emphasize to the person that the meeting is for information only.
- Try to interact with the person at his or her place of work to gain better awareness of the work environment.
- Follow up with a thank-you note. and. if possible. send some information (such as an article) that might be of interest to your contact.
Identifying Job Opportunities
Before you apply for employment. you need to identify job openings that match your interests and abilities.
Job Advertisements
Advertisements in newspapers and professional periodicals can be valuable sources of available positions. Newspapers such as The Wall Street Journal, the New York Times. the Chicago Tribune, and the Los Angeles Times have job listings coveIing a wide geographic area. You should also check local and regional newspapers. For opportunities in a specific career field, refer to specialized publications. such as Advertising Age, Marketing News, the Journal of Accountancy and American Banke!: Since 80 to 90 percent of available jobs are not advertised to the general public. other job search techniques are critical.
Career Fairs
Career fairs. commonly held on campuses and at convention centers. offer an opponunity to make contact with several firms in a short time span. Be prepared to quickly communicate your potential contributions to an organization. By making yourself memorable to the recruiter, you are likely to be called for a follow-up interview.
Employment Agencies
Another possible source of job leads is employment agencies. These for-profit organizations match job hunters with prospective employers. Often the hiring company pays the fee charged by the employment agency; however, be careful when you are asked to pay a fee and have no guarantee of a job. Be sure you understand any contracts before signing them.
Government-supported employment serices are also avai.lable. Contact your state employment service or your state depanment of labor for further information.
Job Creation
After researching a particular company or industry, present how your abilities would contribute to that organization. Job creation involves developing an employment position that matches your skills with the needs of an organization.
As you develop skills in areas you enjoy. you may be able to create a demand for your services. For example, a person who enjoyed researching business and economic trends was hired by a major corporation to make presentations for its managers at various company offices. Other people with an ability to design promotions and advertising might be hired by a nonprofit organization that needs to expand its public visibility.
Other Job Search Methods
Your ability to locate existing and potential employment positions is limited only by your imagination and initiative. Commonly overlooked sources of jobs include the following:
- Visit companies where you would like to work. and make face-to-face contacts. Create an impression that you are someone who can contribute. Calling or visiting before 8 a.m. or after 4 p.m. increases your chance of talking to someone who is not busy.
- Successful organizations continually look for quality employees. Telephone and business directories can provide names of organizations that employ people with your qualifications.
- Search the World Wide Web for information about potential jobs and organizations that may be in search of someone with your abilities and skills.
- Talk with alumni who work in your field. Graduates who are familiar with your school and major can help you focus your career search.
