Whether you are a college graduate or a career professional on the job hunt, finding a job in today’s crowded workspace can sometimes seem like a tough task. With job boards like Monster and Hired.com, it can be hard to sift through the many options available to find the job that is truly right for you.
Make the job-hunt simpler with these eight ways to find a job!
1. Link up on LinkedIn.
Take the time to craft a résumé that is social media-worthy, and upload it to LinkedIn. Start requesting connections with respectable professionals in your desired job field in your local area, and you may be able to score an interview with a connection. You can also ask mutual connections for introductions.
2. Ask around in person.
Taking advantage of the Internet is definitely a useful resource for job seekers, but there’s nothing wrong with a little good old-fashioned human interaction. Ask your instructors, your friends or any other professional connections you may have if they have a lead for you — and be sure to return the favor if you can!
3. Seek out an internship.
Dip your toes into the career field of your choice by scoring an internship. Internships are great opportunities to determine if a career field is right for you. Internships can also turn into job opportunities if you perform well and the employer has an available opening.
4. Use your school’s career services.
If you are a student or alumni of a school, consider contacting the career services department. Advisors there will be able to point you toward jobs that are in your career field. They may also have connections with employers in your local community and nationally.
5. Take advantage of your city’s economic development resources.
Many cities have economic development resources specifically designed to help business owners and professionals find and retain employees. Visit your city’s Chamber of Commerce or Economic Development Corporation to learn more about job opportunities in your area.
6. Visit Craigslist or other non-traditional job boards.
Just because job boards are often oversaturated, that doesn’t mean positions can’t be found anywhere on the Internet. Try non-traditional resources like Craigslist to search for opportunities. Some small businesses start there — and it might just be a perfect match for you.
7. Visit coffee shops and check out listings on an actual job board
It may seem like an outdated idea, but there are still plenty of employers who post job listings on actual, physical job boards. Try heading to a few local coffee shops and see if there are any job listings that catch your eye.
8. Start your own business!
Last but not least, for the enterprising entrepreneur who can’t find the perfect position, there’s always the option of starting your own business. This will give you the opportunity to have complete control over your hours and income and allow you to build something from the ground up. Just make sure that you have a great idea and a solid business plan in place.