Job Search Strategies (Just ASK!)
What Do You Want To Do?
As the title of this section suggests, we are moving into the "Searching" phase of Just ASK! But before you can effectively begin a job search, you first need to identify what you want to do and what related job titles are specific to someone with similar interests. This information can result from the assessment phase of the Just ASK! methodology.
It’s okay if your assessment phase has yielded more than one position that you may find interesting. The key is to clearly define what you are interested in. This clarity will drive everything else you do in the "Searching" and "Knocking" phases of Just ASK!, from résumé writing (in the next section) to giving your job search direction and momentum.
Additional assessment resources for researching job titles and positions related to your major include:
If you are unsure as to what you may want to pursue, spend some time in the Assessment section assessing various occupations that may be of particular interest to you given your personality, interests, skills, and values. It will be time well spent and will ultimately save you time and frustration as you look at possible career options.
As you move into the “Searching” phase, it is important to understand two basic forms of job hunting: applying through the internet and attending jobs fairs. The first strategy consists of applying for jobs via the Internet, whether through job boards like Monster.com, or individual employers’ websites. The second strategy consists of attending job and career fairs. Both of these are the most common methods used by people to find jobs; usually, the first approach is the one that most people take first.
It is estimated that somewhere between 15% - 35% of all jobs each year are filled through these methods.
Unfortunately, the irony is that while most job seekers first turn to online job postings and job fairs, it is the last place that most private sector employers turn to for prospective employees for openings within their organizations.
Does this mean you should abandon traditional forms of job searching? Not at all. But it does mean that you should consider alternative forms of searching other than chasing advertised or posted job positions.
Why spend all of your time utilizing a strategy that will, at best, yield a 35% chance of success? Consider that by applying for jobs online and going to job fairs you are using a strategy where you will:
- Face the largest and stiffest competition; most of your competition is applying for the same positions you are.
- Extend the time it will take to find a job
- Limit your options by not tapping into the other 65% - 85% of jobs that are never advertised.
To explore effective online job hunting strategies, go to the Online Job Hunting section.