In 2010, the average unemployed American spent 41 minutes searching for a job on weekdays, outpacing their European counterparts. Online job searching in 2013 yielded a success rate of just 8%, even though only 29.9% of job openings were searched online.
Despite her decision to change careers, fueled by an intimidating resume and impressive skill set, her next dream job begins with a search. To stand out in a competitive marketplace and differentiate yourself, here are five ways to a new job search that you probably haven’t tried and your competitors have probably underutilized:
1. Follow your passion:
Organizations like to recruit people who have intimate connections and can passionately identify with their brands and services. This emotional attachment to a brand can make you stand out in interviews. You can start by looking at the products and services in your home. You obviously love those products to spend so much on them each month. The culture behind the organizations that produce these products likely resonates with your values. Use this as an alternative job search strategy by connecting with people and their lifestyle.
2. Join a Network of Professionals:
Almost every industry has an association where you can network with professionals in your target industry. These associations provide industry and market tools such as newsletters, career fairs, trade shows, job boards, and trade magazines as launching pads for potential careers. These associations enhance the exchange of talents and ideas in networks in mutually beneficial ways. It doesn’t stop at who you know, but who knows you too. ‘Give and take’ is a fundamental tenet of all long-term relationships, including networking and job hunting.
3. Recruit Recruiter:
Refuse to be completely relaxed during interviews. Be technically and intellectually offensive with an undulating vision, questions, and insights into the company from his personal research, even if you went through multiple interview sessions and were rejected at the last minute. Thank the panel for spending so much time and resources asking you questions many times. Ask for feedback and recommendations, be specific and deliberate in your strategy. Find out about the availability of similar positions or openings while you see how to build a relationship with some panel members by asking for their business cards.
4. Wait for commercial events:
Conferences, exhibitions and job fairs provide ample opportunities for recruiters and potential employees to distill and make a memorable impression. You will convince potential employers of your passion for their company by attending industry events. You will enrich your knowledge about the culture, values and brands of the organization. When asked; How did you hear about us? Simply say that you researched the company both online and offline. It signifies great intention and focus.
5. Interact with social networks:
Job hunting and dream work are becoming more and more social. For example, you can take advantage of the search tools available on most social networking sites to search for former employees who used to work at your prospective company. On LinkedIn, you can write “Former employees of such, such company”, “Former accountants of company XYZ”. This will undoubtedly provide information and new clues about the career progression of previous employees, the company culture, the job hiring preferences of employers, and how you can leverage this to differentiate yourself.
Good luck in your job search!