7 Traditional Ways to Look for a Job

Job hunting methods will often times be the determining factor in how and when a job seeker finds gainful employment. Understanding the various ways to look for a job will effectively will increase your chances of getting hired quickly. The following is a list of some traditional ways you can look for a job.

           1. Job Board Sites: Job boards are a centralized digital location that give a jobseeker an idea of all the roles that are currently available in their area. Initially, job boards used to be just a solid surface on a wall where vacancies were advertised for everyone to see. Job boards have now developed into a digital form, and that's good news for everyone because their reach is far greater. Many state governments provide job boards and job banks that are easily accessible to all. You can also use job search engines or any of a vast number of career-related websites that post job openings, such as, InterviewProfessionals.com, Indeed.com, Google for Jobs, CareerBuilder, and Hound. A lot of other databases specialize in freelance and contract work, including People per Hour, Up work, Simply Hired, Fiverr and Crowded. There also are specialized job sites for particular fields, like Dice.com for tech and engineering professionals and ArtsThread.com for artists. These websites function in a similar way to traditional ads, but they have a much more targeted reach and a much quicker turnaround time too. There are even job boards that cater to specific ages. Sites like www.seniorjobbank.org specialize in positions for jobseekers over the age of 50 and sites like https://readyjob.org/companies-hire-teens/ for jobseekers in their teens.

2. Company Websites: If you already have your dream employer in mind, then go directly to the career section of that company's website. Be systematic and create a list of employers that you would like to work for and visit their websites often. If someone is really set on working for a specific company, it may take some time to find just the opportunity that fits their unique skillset or experience. Many company website sites have a job alert feature which will notify you after you’ve selected certain keywords that signify your interests and qualifications. Be sure to sign-up and more importantly, remember to use an email address that you check and use often in case they call you for a phone screening. 

3. Networking: Networking, both online and in-person, is one of the best ways to stay on top of what's happening in your field, including what jobs are open and where. It's known as the hidden job market. Many of the best jobs are never advertised. They are filled by candidates who learn about them by word of mouth from family, friends, former colleagues, and even ex-bosses. Networking is another word for socializing. You can freely join professional associations, attend events for graduates of your school, connect with professionals who work in your line of work and take every chance you can get to connect with people either in-person or online. Various online sites, such as LinkedIn, allow you to broaden your network to include friends of friends. The bigger your network is, the more likely you’ll find out about new opportunities.

4. Employment Agencies: Employment agencies or staffing firms work for large organizations on a contract basis for sourcing assignments. These consultants work for many companies at the same time as external recruiters or headhunters. Recruiters are often in touch with companies and up to date on current job openings and industry requirements and changes. Their job is to search for the ideal candidate for a particular role. Consultants use job sites, social networking sites and other headhunting techniques to identify the right candidate. Approaching these consultants on or offline can help you identify interesting openings and available opportunities in your area of interest.

5. Social Networking Sites: Nowadays, companies are using social networking sites to check prospective candidates to fill the job vacancies. The rise of technology has made that possible. Social networking sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are immensely popular for this. Using social media as a job searching method can open up a whole new world of job opportunities you didn’t even know existed because that company didn’t advertise a job in the other places you looked.

6. Referrals: Some employers offer incentives to their employees for referring a successful candidate to a company. It's a win-win situation for everyone. The applicant lands himself a great job and their contact gets a finder's fee for referring a top-notch employee. That's relatively rare, but there's nothing stopping someone from asking a valued friend who works in a similar field to let them know about any openings. The working relationships you create at every job may open other doors for them in the future years to come.

7. Temping/Internships/Volunteering: A new trend that companies are starting to implement more is the use of temp-to-hire labor. Companies will hire a person on a temporary basis with no promises of direct hire for a few months then offer full-time employment after a certain period of time. These opportunities are often great ones to take. It's a way to get a foot in the door or, at the very least, provide one with useful business contacts to call upon in the near future. Tons of recruitment agencies can assist with locating temporary roles and contract work. Internships are also a great choice for students who are just graduating from college. The job placement services of many schools connect their students with various internship opportunities. If one is just starting and can afford it, then volunteering can be a fantastic way to gain valuable industry contacts. Sites like www.internships.org, www.volunteeringinamerica.gov, www.volunteermatch.org and www.LAworks.com are all great resources to start with.

While on the job hunt, it's important to utilize all of the resources you have at your disposal. A combination of these methods will increase you rate of getting hired by giving you more exposure as a job seeker. For more traditional ways to look for a job visit www.TheArtOfInterviewing.com/blog/ and learn how to effectively sell yourself when it comes time to interview.