How to Find a Job

Use your contacts and skills to get the job you want.

Even if a year or more has passed since you worked, you can still find a job. Several steps such as attending professional events, filling out job applications and working with employment agencies are similar to what they were years ago. Others steps have changed with the advent of the Internet. Today you can also use social networks, online job boards and company websites to find a job.

Instructions

1. Create a personal website and list your resume, work experience and educational background on it. Since millions of people can view your website, consider leaving contact information such as your street address and telephone number off the online resume. Upload samples of your work onto the website. For example, if you're looking for a Web design job, upload samples of Web pages, graphics or backgrounds you have created for previous clients. Design your website so prospective hiring managers can contact you via email with the click of a button.

2. Register for an account at social networks like Facebook and Twitter. You can also create accounts at social networks that target companies and business leaders who work in the industries in which you would like to find employment. When you create your profile at social networks, provide a link to your website so hiring managers can learn more about your skills, even review the samples that you provide at your website. Limit your social network posts to professional topics. Also use keywords in your posts that connect with the type of work you're looking for so hiring managers and human resources recruiters can locate you when they perform online candidate searches using search engine keywords. For example, if you're looking for an engineering job, use keywords like engineer, mechanical engineering and technical engineer in your posts.

3. Pay for an ad in your local newspaper. To increase the chances of your ad getting viewed by a larger number of hiring managers, you can post an ad in the online and print versions of your local newspaper. List your skills and talents in the ad. Run your ad for a week and measure the results. If hiring managers telephone or email you in response to your ad consider running the ad for another week or until you find a job.

4. Post your resume at Internet job boards like Monster, Indeed, Simply Hired and Career Builder. By using keywords in your ad that are related to the type of jobs you're looking for you can increase your chances of your resume getting found by recruiters who perform keyword searches at job boards to find employment candidates. For example, if you're looking for an accounting or finance job include keywords such as accounting, finance and budgets in your resume.

5. Visit websites of companies for which you would like to work. Some companies list job openings on their websites and not on Internet job boards. Generally, you can do a keyword search by location and job (e.g. writer, engineer) to pull up a listing of available job openings. You might have to create a login and password to upload your resume and apply for jobs. Follow up via email or telephone with human resources recruiters at companies where you apply for jobs if you don't hear from someone about the jobs you applied for within approximately two to three weeks.

6. Attend events hosted by professional associations that operate in industries in which you would like to work. While at the events pass out your business card and let attendees know that you are looking for a job. Follow up with new contacts one to two weeks after the event, letting them know if you're stilling seeking employment. Additionally, some professional networks post job openings at their websites for their members. If you join professional associations you can get access to their available job openings.

References

• "Psychology Today": 20 Ways to Get the Job You Want
• CNN Money: How to Get a Job