Methods of Job Hunting

Methods of job hunting have changed immeasurably in the past decade, a situation which offers both advantages and disadvantages to those seeking employment. On the one hand job hunters have more avenues to explore than ever before, but on the other they must devote more time and energy to checking all of their sources and keeping the resulting applications in order. Don’t let the fear of hard work scare you. As a job hunter, utilise all of the methods open to you including tapping into support networks, reading the job ads, surfing the ‘Net and dropping into job centres and/or employment agencies.

Tap Into Your Support Network

Sure you like to socialise with your friends and family, but when you are job hunting you should be using these support networks for professional gain as well. In addition to finding out about the contacts that your friends and family may have, also consider getting in touch with:

• Teachers or professors
• Former co-workers or bosses
• Professional contacts you have made on your own
• Fellow volunteers
• Services offered by your school or university (even if you were a student years ago)
• Local community centres, groups or charities

Read the Job Ads

A tried and true method of job hunting is to read the job ads in the newspapers. Most papers have a designated day that they run employment advertisements, so become familiar with these patterns. In addition to national papers (which will no doubt attract thousands of applications), also read your regional or local newspapers. Perusing notices on local notice boards may also net you a few leads. Be sure to check out the boards at your church, college or university, community/leisure centre and/or local library.

Surf the ‘Net

Online job advertisements usually bring with them a host of benefits including timely releases, links for accompanying information (on the job, company, etc.), contact information for queries and email addresses so that you can apply for jobs without bothering with paper and postage. Types of sites to consider include:

• General job sites (for example, Monster.co.uk)
• Industry specific sites (for example HERO – Higher Education and Research Opportunities in the UK)
• Sites from specific companies or employers (for example, NHS Jobs)
• Sites devoted to jobs based on geographic location (for example, London Jobs)

Drop Into Centres and Agencies

Jobcentres are government funded agencies dedicated to helping people of working age to move from welfare to work. Contact your local authorities to find out about the centres serving your areas, or search for jobs online at JobCentre Plus.

Alternatively, for-profit employment and recruitment agencies generally help graduates and professionals find new jobs. Agency Central offers a comprehensive list of such service in the United Kingdom. Job seekers using such agencies do not need to pay for these services (the employer who is recruiting will pay a fee when the position is filled), but they should be ready to take typing tests, supply their agents with CVs and letters of reference, and be able to articulate the type of position and pay range for which they are looking.

In this day and age, methods of job hunting are limited only by one’s imagination. If you are on the hunt for a new job be sure to use every avenue you can think of, and don’t be shy about enlisting the aid of others. No doubt your dream job is just a few calls - or clicks - away.