New ways to get your dream job
Tom O’Neil
It’s 10.35am and you have trawled through all the job boards searching and applying for your next dream position. All done right? Not quite… There are so many alternate ways to effectively job hunt, getting yourself out and being seen by employers and key decision makers.
Leverage your social network
Letting as many people as possible know that you are seeking work is vital. Chances are your next employer is already known by a couple of degrees through your network. Therefore, leverage your friends and contacts by reaching out through your social media accounts. Sometimes a brief social media status update can do the trick, giving your friends, family and colleagues the heads up when they come across a role that’s just perfect for you.
Network in the real world
If you have an industry group that represents your trade (for example HRINZ for HR Professionals or Engineering New Zealand for Engineers), you have a group of people regularly meeting in your area who are all specialists in the field. Joining the group then allows you to meet professionals and generate relationships that may just turn into your next job offer.
Job fairs
Job fairs usually focus toward specific industries, however some may be more general in nature. Here you can meet professionals across a wide range of businesses, with their recruitment team ready and willing to answer questions. Always go armed with plenty of copies of your CV and be ready to talk about your skills and expertise when appropriate. That short conversation you have with a random hiring manager, could then lead to a real-world interview very soon after.
Just ask
Working closely with the highly successful Youth Engagement Plan (YEP!) for the Ministry of Social Development , we encouraged participants to not be afraid to get out there and just ask for an opportunity. During the following morning tea break, one of our attendees strolled out the front of the building and asked a scaffolding company across the street for a job. Immediately they said yes.
Having a great LinkedIn profile
Too many LinkedIn profiles are terrible and say almost nothing about the individual. Of the remainder that are well written, many then let themselves down with a terrible photo that is out of focus, in a nightclub or widely inappropriate in an employment setting. A strong and professional LinkedIn profile (and CV of course) will ensure you are taken seriously by employers, allowing you to be more searchable when recruiters start trawling the net for talent.
Do it all
No one method is foolproof, so make sure you use a combination of approaches to ensure you are positioned well in the job market. Remember that if an employer does not know you exist, they can’t offer you your dream role. Don’t be afraid to get out there and let them know you are ready and willing to get started!