How To Find A Job

Beginning your job search can feel overwhelming. Where do you even begin? There are a variety of places to look for your next job. This article will describe different strategies that you can take to find your perfect position.

Career Igniter

If you are on this website you’ve already found a great place to find jobs. To begin your search just click on Job Search at the top of the page. On this page you can type in keywords and or location to begin your search. Your results will show and you can sort the results by relevance, date, or distance.

When you see a job you are interested in click on the link and you will be taken to a website to read the full description and apply for the position. When choosing keywords keep in mind that they can be job titles or words that might be found in the job description such as forklift, logistics or even warehouse.

Company Websites

If you have companies in mind that you might want to work for it is best to go check out their websites to see if they have any jobs posted. This can be the fastest way to learn about openings and you know you are applying directly to the company. Also, there are going to be less people applying directly on the website then might be looking at another general job search engine.

General Job Search Sites

There are other job search engines that allow you to search for any type of job. While these websites include thousands of job listings, unlike CareerIgniter.com they are not all going to be ones you are interested in or that match your industry. While it can be helpful to bring back many results it also takes more time to read through them. Many sites also ask or require you to upload your resume and complete a profile.

While it may seem helpful be careful not to provide personal information because the public or people you don’t know may be able to see it. Also, at times you may be contacted by employers for job opportunities that do not match your interests.

Want Ads

Want ads include job advertisements and postings in newspapers and trade journals. You will often find these listings in the classified or employment sections in newspapers. Newspaper ads can be a good way to find local positions since the employer is posting with a paper in your region.

Examples of trade journals might be Manufacture Magazine, Heavy Equipment News, Industrial Machine Trader, Manufacturers Showcase, Industryweek, American Machinist, etc. These journals are also great for keeping up with trends and news in your industry. While these are helpful if you are looking nationwide, it can be challenging to find positions in your area through these journals.

Job Fairs

Job fairs can be another way to learn about opportunities and openings directly from employers. These events offer a great way to get to connect and network with employers face to face. This can help you to make connections and stand out more than you might be able to from just your application.

Job fairs can definitely feel overwhelming. It is important to prepare ahead of time and know what to expect during a fair. Do your research to know who might be attending. Dress professionally, bring multiple copies of your resume and remember how important first impressions are. Make sure to take a look at the job fairs listed on Career Igniter to find fairs in your area.

Professional Organizations

Professional organizations for your field can be another great way to learn about job opportunities. These organizations allow you to narrow your search to positions in your specific field. Because these postings are only for your industry, you are also avoiding some of the competition that comes with using general job search sites. Professional associations also provide news and current trends in your field and may offer opportunities to network with other professionals in your field.

Networking

Networking is the number one way that people find jobs. However, many people hear the word networking and think of it as something negative. Networking is simply about building mutually beneficial relationships. So how do you even begin to network and who is in your network? This answer is easy: you are already doing it and everyone you know is in your network! Friends, family, coworkers, past employers, etc. are all a part of your network already. Most of us already use networking without even knowing it.

There are other more direct ways you can network to learn about jobs. Some of the job search strategies already mentioned involve networking. Going to job fairs or events through professional organizations involve networking. You may also want to network virtually. Sites like LinkedIn allow job seekers to interact not only with people that are already a part of your network, but also to connect with those you may not have met otherwise. When networking virtually make sure to always present yourself professionally and be aware of the first impression you make online.

Why is networking so effective? The reason is that it allows the job seeker to learn about potential jobs that may not even be posted. These jobs are a part of what is called the Hidden Job Market. By using your network or reaching out to network with potential employers, you are able to position yourself to learn about and be considered for opportunities that you may not have ever known about.

There are many different job search strategies available. The key is to not rely solely on one of these strategies. By using them together you are more likely to have success. For example, if you are only applying to jobs posted on websites you may be missing out on opportunities in the Hidden Job Market. Make sure you are using your network as well. Job searching takes time and effort. The more you put into it the better your chances of landing that dream job.