Whether you’re hunting for your first job or your tenth, it’s vital to know how to find jobs in the most efficient manner possible. The good news is that modern communications technology provides more job hunting options than previous generations could have ever imagined possible. The bad news is that some are far more effective than others.
To ensure your job search success, you need to know how to look for jobs in 2020. Here are the 6 best ways to find that job you need, followed by 7 places you might not be looking yet.
How to find a job in 2020
1. Look online
If you’re like many of today’s job seekers, you might think that the internet is the best way to get a new job. Many of today’s job seekers spend hours each day searching online job boards and posting your resume everywhere you can.
You might be surprised to learn, however, that this is far from the most effective way to locate a new job. If you choose this option, be sure to bolster your online search with some other job search methods.
Why? According to some estimates, only about 4% of job seekers find employment through the internet alone. However, keep reading for 6 tips to look for jobs more effectively.
2. Network on LinkedIn
LinkedIn is one of the best ways to network and land a job today. Over 90% of hiring managers and recruiters utilize LinkedIn to search for and vet candidates.
Here are some tips for your LinkedIn:
- Have a professional image
- Have a good amount of connections (250+)
- Get recommendations
- Have a solid career summary
Make sure you stay active on LinkedIn and reach out to colleagues and friends who may be able to refer you to an open position.
3. Contact hiring managers directly
Reaching out directly to a hiring manager at a company you want to work for is a good strategy for two reasons.
- Companies spend a ton of money on recruiting fees which they could save if you they were to hire you directly. This could give you a leg up on other candidates.
- It shows the hiring manager that you have a genuine interest in working for the company which is always a plus.
You can check out some of our tips here on emailing a resume.
4. Respond to ads
You already know that ads can be a great way to find out who’s hiring in your area – or elsewhere in the country. Employers may advertise new jobs online, in shop windows, or in print publications.
The good news is that this can be a great way to find low to moderate-income positions. In fact, nearly a quarter of people who use this method for those lower-paying jobs successfully find employment. Don’t rely on this option if you’re seeking a higher-income position, however.
5. Seek out government offices for help
Government job placement offices are another option when you’re trying to find a job. There are government employment offices that can provide you with assistance. Many offer training programs to teach you how to find jobs, and staff can often provide you with hot leads on job openings. If you’re struggling to come up with the leads you need, this is an option that may work for you.
6. Ask for referrals
By now, you should have some semblance of a network in place. You can use that network of friends, family members, former co-workers, educators, and LinkedIn contacts to generate job leads. According to some estimates, about one-third of serious referrals can result in job placement. You just need to maintain contact with your network and continue to ask about potential job openings.
We have 5 templates you can use here: How To Ask for A Job Referral
The best places to look for jobs in 2020
In addition to knowing how to look for jobs, it can be helpful to know where to find jobs in 2020. We’ve compiled a brief list of the top information sources you should be using to identify available jobs in your area:
1. Classified Ads
Classified ads can still be a great way to find out about job openings. That includes ads in your local paper, of course … but you’ll likely find even more opportunities online on sites like Craigslist. In fact, many small companies rely on affordable, online job postings to locate new hires these days, rather than the traditional newspaper “help wanted” ads of yesteryear.
Many of the best opportunities will be in a local publication of some kind. Look for job search resources in your city–you might be surprised at the jobs that aren’t posted anywhere else!
2. Job Boards
There are several job boards online. Your success in finding a potential opening will depend on your profession, of course. Here are some examples of industry-specific job search sites we’ve researched for you:
3. Google
Is there anything Google doesn’t do these days? Yes, you can use Google to find job openings in your area. You can also use it to research those firms and learn more about them to help you tailor your resume to meet their needs.
4. Social Media
Whether it’s LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter, today’s social media can be a great way to learn about job openings. Your LinkedIn network should provide you with plenty of insight into companies that might be hiring. Meanwhile, you can often locate choice job postings on those other social media sites as well. There are many Facebook groups based on location or industry which you should also check out.
5. Company Websites
If you’ve ever searched through a company’s website, chances are that you noticed that many post open positions online. Many companies have started to rely on these postings, as they provide a way to help screen potential applicants. If there’s a company that you really want to join, the firm’s website can be an ideal place to start that process.
6. Job Aggregators
Indeed and other job aggregators collect job postings from a variety of different sites on the internet. You can use these aggregators to learn about jobs in your area, and follow posting links to start the application process.
You should know that this is what millions of other people are doing as well. To really stand out, you need to support your job aggregator efforts with networking, cold outreach, and making connections with people.
7. Your Network
You can use your network to keep abreast of job openings in your industry. However, you’ll be missing out if you don’t also use it to help you obtain a job. The fact is that you can dramatically increase your chances of getting hired if you can tell a potential employer that you were referred by one of their employees. Those chances get even better if that employee has recommended you for the job.
Summary
The job market is more competitive than ever before, but you can still find a great job if you know what you’re doing. By learning how to look for a job, and identifying the best places to find the job you need, you’ll dramatically improve your job seeking success. Until then, keep using these techniques to look for jobs and find out about new opportunities.
Of course, once you’ve found a job to apply to, you need a resume that will wow the employer. Till the Soil’s team of professional resume writers are here to help!
Original Article Written by Caitlin Proctor
