The Hunt

Once you have prepared your CV you are ready to start looking for a new job in earnest. But how are you going to find that new job you want? There are essentially four ways to find a job these days: advertised vacancies, recruitment agencies/head-hunters, speculative applications, and networking (using your own personal contacts/making new contacts).

You should devote time to all of these various methods. How much time you devote to each method is very much a matter of personal choice. To start with you might spend some time contacting the various recruitment agencies. Once you have contacted them they will normally contact you if anything suitable comes up. Replying to advertisements is a weekly task which definitely merits some time spent on it. Networking should definitely pay dividends (especially if you are at a senior level). If one method seems to work better for you in terms of obtaining interviews then you should devote more time to it.

Other job searching ideas

The following ideas can be used as a part of your normal job searching activities:

	Join any local business clubs especially your local chamber of commerce (there is often a junior chamber for people under 40). The address for your local branch can be found in The Phone Book under Chamber of Commerce in the Business Section. This may give you local business contacts and directly assist you in your job search.
	If you have been unemployed for a while (usually six months) you may be invited to go along to a job club. You should attend (as there is no charge) and you will receive help and encouragement.
	Joining professional associations - this may provide you with leads from your professional colleagues.
	Joining local clubs of any description - this will give you contacts in the local area and may give you a new interest in life.
	Attending training courses run by your local college/university - these will teach you additional skills and give you a chance to meet new people. The courses may also be free if you are unemployed. If particular emphasis is put on computer skills in the job advertisements for your profession make sure your skills are up to date - day or evening courses (reduced rate if you are unemployed) are a good way of updating your skills.
	Contract/temporary/part-time consultancy work will put some money in your pocket and if it is with a suitable company it may lead to an offer of a permanent position.
	If you are highly qualified/experienced in your field you might want to consider organising and running training courses. As well as providing you with a source of income this can be a good way of meeting people from the sort of companies you want to work for.
	Look out for companies who are experiencing difficulties which you may be able to solve. Offering your services on a part-time/consultancy basis may lead to a permanent job offer.

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This page was last updated on 02-Sep-2000 00:08.