What are the best tactics when you are casually looking, or hunting aggressively, for a new job?
Having moved to new cities before, I can appreciate the aches and pains that come with finding a new job. I also speak regularly to candidates who give me plenty of insight into their successes and shortfalls.
Here are 5 tips to help the job hunting process easier on you…
1) Talk to people – break out your Rolodex, connect with old MySpace peeps, find school friends on Facebook, tweet some Instagram buddies, and see if they can assist you? It won’t matter the person, so look as you have a genuine connection and they would be someone that will champion you. If you are genuine in your approach, ask for their insight and support, they will most likely be responsive and put you in touch with other contacts or colleagues of theirs. People like to help. Just remember to show interest in them too and don’t make it one sided.
2) Be creative – ‘The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result’. Do some research before you start applying online, find unique lists of good companies to work for, call them up and ask to speak to HR.
3) Go to meetup groups, lots of them – Go to work related ones, fun ones or artistic ones (related to your career, if possible). People are generally there because they want to meet people and therefore typically sociable and helpful. Nothing wrong with getting their names and stalking them on LinkedIn afterwards.
4) Be relentless and never give – ‘For myself I am an optimist — it does not seem to be much use being anything else’ – Winston Churchill
5) Take a break – why do you think Google has all those break out areas and free food? To give people the chance to step away from the grind, have a welcome distraction and think more clearly. Avoid spending hours doing the same thing, constantly looking at job adverts online etc. do something completely different every now and then, ideally something fun, a favorite hobby or some exercise to get the blood pumping and endorphins flowing.
If you are looking for work in the non profit arena or would like help with your job hunt, please reach out to me – twright@nonprofitstaffing.com