Summer is here, the weather is finally hot and the kids are almost out of school and your job searching?!? Good for you!! It is important to stay focused and dedicated while you job search, actively searching for work increases your chances of success. Below are some strategies on how to job search, and how to keep your spirits up while you search for your next job.
1) Make your online more efficient by registering with online job boards such as; Workpolis, Monster.ca or Job Bank. To make online job search more effective, sign up for career alerts. Emails will be sent to you when a new job posting is advertised and it meets what you are looking for.
2) Begin or continue to network. 60-80% of all jobs are not advertised! Jobs are frequently filled by people who know people. To increase your chances of job search success continue to network and broaden your networking circle. Create a "one minute infomercial" about yourself. This is a brief description of your back ground; try to include your work experience, skills, education and training. This infomercial will be useful when you are meeting new people.
3) Ask your targeted companies for informational interviews. This is an opportunity to learn more about the organization/company that you would like to work for. In this interview, you are not asking for a job, rather you are gaining information about your profession, industry, work environment and/or future employment activities.
4) Cold call the organizations/companies that you would like to work with. Cold calling is a basic technique that is used in selling, but when done properly it can provide new opportunities for you. Cold calling is a technique that the more you do it, the easier it gets! It is important to write a script to use when you call companies, a well drafted script will help you highlight your skills and experience and will assist in you in staying on topic.
5) Consider visiting the companies in person and/or dropping of a resume. This method may prove successful if you are able to talk to the front desk about new opportunities or meet with human resources. Be sure to dress professionally for those occasions where you may get interviewed (even briefly) on the spot.
For more information about cold calling, please join us in June for our cold calling workshop.*