Finding your Next Job

Before you set out on your job search, you need to be aware of the methods you can use for securing a job. There are four main routes – it is important that you do not rely too much on just one of them, but explore the potential of each route for you.

Replying to job advertisements

Employers and recruitment companies place many thousands of job advertisements every year. Through newspapers, professional magazines and journals, the Internet, and career fairs, applications are constantly sought. This is the most open and accessible market for jobs – and so the most competitive, but at least you know that employers who advertise are committed to recruiting.

Contacting recruitment companies

In general, recruitment companies find people for jobs, not jobs for people. Employers pay them a fee to provide qualified candidates, who can then be shortlisted for final selection. Although they rely on job seekers’ resumés to make money, the service they provide to the job seeker varies enormously. There are two types of recruitment companies. The first type are those that operate databases, and these are often known as recruitment agencies. They range from the well-known general agencies through to firms specializing in professional or functional areas, such as finance or IT. Second, there are the search and selection companies who advertise or headhunt for individual posts. Both are important for the experienced job seeker.

Things to do

Considering routes

Whatever your current experience and ambitions, all four routes should be considered. Any one could yield a job.

Making speculative applications

Personnel departments will receive a steady stream of enquiries for what will be a limited number of vacancies. However, if you have a clear idea of what you want to do and who you want to do it for, contacting employers directly can be effective. The key is to contact the right person with a clear proposition. Although a company may hold you in their database, keep monitoring job advertisements.

Networking

Someone you know knows someone who is recruiting. Through your range of personal and business contacts you can network to find your next job. However, you will have to be open with this route – to network successfully you need to tell people, discreetly, that you are looking for a job. It may be time-consuming, but for those starting out or returning to work, it can be very effective.