| The new realities of securing employment in today's | | | | need to be even more prepared to sell yourself. |
| changing world require a new belief. Finding a new job | | | | 4. Headhunters (search and selection firms) |
| is not always easy, whether you are an executive or | | | | Headhunters are also recruiters. The difference, |
| just starting out in your career. Designing and planning | | | | however, is that headhunters are much more specific |
| your career, and taking a proactive, self-directed | | | | in their recruitment. Rather than simply finding a pool |
| approach is the success formula. | | | | of the most talented people, they focus on finding |
| Making the wrong move can cost you time and | | | | candidates who exactly match the qualifications |
| money. With the stakes so high, before finding or | | | | specified by their clients. To this end, headhunters |
| looking for a new job, you should clarify your career | | | | select candidates whether they are in the job market |
| path to ensure you are headed in the right direction. | | | | or not. If you are at a senior level in your career, you |
| Once you have completed the preliminary work such | | | | have probably already received calls from |
| as identifying your career path, creating a | | | | headhunters. As you look at the many paths available |
| well-constructed resume and detailed cover letter; | | | | to you to attain your ideal position, getting an |
| how do you find your ideal job? | | | | interview with a headhunter is the least likely to get |
| Here are some ideas: | | | | you closer to your goal. Headhunters fill many of the |
| 1. Networking | | | | world's most prestigious positions. |
| Networking is the most powerful way of finding a | | | | 5. Cold Calling |
| job. Many jobs are never advertised because they | | | | Cold calling means initiating an approach to companies; |
| have gone to someone's friend or colleague. 62% of | | | | telling them about your skills and interest in working |
| hiring managers found word of mouth referrals to be | | | | for them. Research shows a 69% success rate - |
| the most effective. Contact people and let them | | | | even better than networking! Surveyed job hunters |
| know you are in the job market. Attend professional | | | | spent 24% of their time making these kinds of cold |
| association events where you can meet as many | | | | calls, which yielded 27% of their meetings. In |
| new people as possible. | | | | contrast, the 45% of their time spent networking |
| 2. Internet Jobsites | | | | produced only 35% of their meetings (as reported |
| The internet is a very useful job search tool, but not | | | | by the Five O'Clock Club, a career-counselling |
| an effective self-marketing tool. Although you will find | | | | network based in New York City). Why is cold calling |
| job sites (monster.com, careerbuilder.com, | | | | so effective? Because it gives you the opportunity |
| workopolis.com, etc.) where you can post your | | | | to make contact and penetrate the marketplace |
| resume, you must update your posting daily. New job | | | | before positions are advertised to the general public. |
| hunters post their resume every day, pushing your | | | | 6. Newspaper |
| resume down the list. Surveys have shown only a | | | | Answering ads in local newspaper has a 5%- 24% |
| 4% success rate for being contacted for a job from | | | | success rate. The higher the salary, the smaller the |
| an Internet posting. | | | | chance of finding a job using that method. Trying to |
| 3. Recruitment Agencies | | | | find a job requires the same dedicated time, energy, |
| Recruitment agencies serve as intermediaries | | | | and effort to succeed as you put into the position |
| between worker and applicant to ensure a match | | | | you eventually find through your perseverance. |
| between the company's needs and the applicant's | | | | Staying focused, and finding ways to deal with |
| skills and interests. While this may get you an | | | | rejection (and use the information gained to help |
| interview, you are often one of many applicants the | | | | move you forward) will help you to be successful. |
| agency has recruited for the same position, so you | | | | Copyright 2006, Cecile Peterkin. |