A successful job hunt requires more than scouring through open positions on Monster.com. Though replying to traditional ads is part of the process, tapping into the “hidden” job market can be an even more effective way to land a job you’ll love when you graduate.
Here are 4 tips for hunting a successful job.
1. Make a List of Current and Potential Professional Connections
Building a professional network can seem intimidating. But the more people who know you’re looking for a job, and who can vouch for your unique mix of skills and experience, the better.
Create a list of all the people you might potentially set up time with to get job tips, either in person or over the internet, and see what they did to get to where they are. Ideally they’ll work in industries you ‘re involved in, recruit workers you ‘d like to apply for, or have a large network of their own in the industry you ‘d like to enter in.
2. Schedule Informational Interviews
It’s best to meet with your connections before you graduate and start actively looking for jobs, says Jane Matthews, assistant director of employer relations at Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina.
“That way you’ve already got the network in place,” she says. “People already know you, and kind of know your personal brand and what you’re about.”
3. ‘Cold-call’ Hiring Managers You Want to Work for
You can also network with people you’ve never met. When you’re on the job hunt, search LinkedIn or company websites for managers who may be in the position to hire junior-level employees like you.
“The goal here is to get an informational meeting, just to get in front of them,” Robert Hellmann says. Once you meet or speak over the phone, even if there aren’t any positions currently available, the hiring manager might keep you in mind for the future.
4. Follow up with Hiring Managers and Keep in Touch with Connections
You can also choose to reach out after you’ve sent in an application through the company’s online hiring portal, Hellmann says. Since it’s hard to stand out when you’re one of hundreds of applicants, sending a well-written email directly to a manager in addition to the basic cover letter and resume shows you’re serious about the position.
Follow and join us on Youtube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to be part of the trader community in Asia
