It’s no secret that the U.S. economy is just barely recovering and the labor market is still highly competitive. As a matter of fact, experts agree that the labor market will still take years to fully recover.
Under these circumstances, it can be immensely helpful to look for alternative avenues to search and apply for jobs. Being creative can open numerous doors in areas where you may not have thought to look. It also shows possible employers how creative and resilient you are. (Tweet this thought.)
This doesn’t only apply to creative careers like graphic design, marketing or film. Even individuals interested in pursuing a career in more traditional industries, like healthcare or law, don’t have to rely on the common, ordinary ways of job hunting on the Internet. Social media, professional forums, podcasts and personal websites offer a plethora of opportunities for everyone from aspiring pharmaceutical technicians to forensic assistants.
Here are just a few ways you can find your next new job outside of traditional job boards:
Social Media Culture
Find companies in your field on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. Their social media profiles can give you a good idea of what these organizations are looking for. Moreover, companies who are active on social media typically pride themselves on having a positive relationship with the community. Employees and corporate professionals who have liked the page can be added as friends. By associating with individuals already established in the field, you create a functioning network of reliable contacts.
Twitter is fast becoming a popular posting site for companies when they need to hire top-quality personnel. Companies can post on a variety of topics on Twitter, from employee achievements to recognition the company receives for philanthropic efforts to future job qualifications and notifications — all the while reaching individuals throughout the entire industry.
Professional Forums
Become familiar with professional forums associated with your area of expertise. You can learn quite a bit about the industry as well as establish a valuable list of contacts. Online communities that are designed to bring people within an industry together can be a great place to find information about possible job openings. Professionals often use forums to compare situations and advise each other in order to succeed in their job hunt.
Unlike Monster.com and CareerBuilder, a professional forum normally focuses on one specific industry such as healthcare, law, construction or accounting. In some cases, professional forums are closed to the public and you must be invited or send a request to the moderator to be able to join.
Stay In Tune With Podcasts
Use podcasts to stay up-to-date on new concepts and ideas within your field. Companies often release podcasts on sites such as YouTube or their company website to help keep their staff current on trends relative to the industry. Keeping up with podcasts as they’re released and learning as much as possible about upcoming changes in the industry can keep you prepared if a job becomes open within the company. (This is also great way for current employees to advance within a company.)
Podcasts are used to keep employees in the know about management changes, product updates, job descriptions and local news. Many companies believe that using podcasts is a more effective way to reach a multitude of employees that otherwise would miss important meetings or messages. They can be viewed over cell phones, tablets, laptops or personal computers wherever there is an Internet connection. Students studying for postgraduate degrees can also use podcasts to remain sharp and in touch with current trends.
Advertise Yourself
The best way to make yourself visible is to advertise yourself. Create a personal website that includes all of your important qualifications:
- A copy of your resume
- A detailed cover letter
- A list of references (both personal and professional)
- A professional photograph
- A complete list of achievements and awards
Update your blog daily with rich content and include topics related to your chosen field of expertise. Encourage people to respond or ask questions in an attempt to keep the content fresh and up-to-date. Always remember that using popular search keywords and phrases can help your page rank higher when companies or headhunters search the Internet for qualified applicants.
What other places have you used to job hunt, beyond job boards?
This post originally appeared as a guest post by Sandra Mills on A Better Interview. Sandra Mills is a freelance career writer, and she enjoys helping people improve their lives and careers.
Image: Flickr
