The best tools for your job search aren’t job search sites and LinkedIn. Here are our top 5 secrets for how successful people find the best places to grow their career.
1. Focus on company growth
It makes sense when you think about it. Get in on a startup that’s on the way up. Be one of the first. Pioneer, innovate and contribute to the organisation’s growth. This is one of the biggest things that can impact how you grow your career. If you’re an integral part of a company that’s rapidly expanding, the only way is up. So when you’re doing your research on potential roles, pay close attention to the company’s growth. Look for teams that are growing quickly. Look for a place where you know you can have a lot of impact. You don’t even need to worry about the title or the salary too much. If you’re driven and ambitious, there’s no limit to what you can accomplish in a startup on its way to success.
2. Network
Ever heard of the “hidden job market”? This terms refers to all of the jobs that are never actually advertised. They go to people who have already been earmarked for the role. To land these kind of jobs, you need to get a foot in the door. This is where networking comes in. Networking can be done in a number of ways, in person and online. You can attend events for graduates of your school or university, join professional associations or start engaging with influential people in your field on Twitter. LinkedIn’s a no brainer. It’s the perfect place to network with other professionals in your field. Even if no one you know directly is aware of a job opening, they might know someone who is.
3. Cold call
Let’s say there’s an organisation you are particularly interested in working for. No job listings? Consider making a cold call or sending an email to HR. Find the right person to speak to by finding their contact details on the company website or by politely asking the receptionist. Be ready with a polished and up to date version of your resume. Prepare a 30 second elevator pitch outlining what you have to offer. You can also ask for information about what skills or qualities the company looks for in its candidates. Bear in mind that this kind of contact may not always be welcome, so be prepared for rejection, or to be directed to the recruitment page of the company website. But you never know, there’s always a chance the right person will see something in what you have to offer, and who knows where things could go from there..
4. Headhunters and recruitment agencies
If you want to be a step ahead of the competition, make sure you utilise the services of recruitment agencies and headhunters where appropriate. A number of organisations rely on these agencies to streamline the lengthy and expensive process of finding, interviewing and hiring candidates. You’ll have to be pretty damn good at what you do to catch the eye of a headhunter. They actively seek out people to fill very specific vacancies. If you can get yourself noticed by them, do it. You can even hire them (for a price) to find a position for you. Don’t forget about the job placement services you can usually find in high schools and universities. They often help both current students and alumni to perfect their resumes and find appropriate positions.
5. Temping or Internships
Some people turn up their noses at the idea of temping or doing an unpaid internship. However, these roles can often lead to permanent positions. Finding a temp role with a great organisation and then impressing them with your skills and work ethic is a great way to get a foot in the door. At the very least, you’ll probably make some useful business contacts you can call on in the future. Internships can be great. They can give you the opportunity to experience working with organisations you could have only dreamed of. Again, if you can demonstrate your value as an employee, who knows where it could take you. Even volunteering can be a great way to make valuable industry contacts and demonstrate your abilities.