Are you struggling to find your dream job?
Most types of job vacancies tend to attract a large number of applicants when they are advertised. This means that your chances of being offered the job or even the interview are significantly reduced.
As a result, trying to find one can take a lot of time, patience, and energy. Fortunately, there are alternative ways of finding a job that can significantly increase your chances of success.
So, let’s take a look at some of the best ways to find jobs online and offline.
Contents
Best Alternatives To Finding A Job
Send Letters of Interest
Instead of waiting for the job you want to be advertised, try being proactive. Make a list of between ten and twenty companies that you would like to work for. Take the time to research each of the companies, including the name and email address of the hiring manager.
Write a short letter of interest to the hiring manager to introduce yourself. You should include the position at the company you are interested in, your key skills, and what makes you perfect for the company. Even if there is not a vacancy at the time, the hiring manager may still call you in for an interview.
Work Your Connections
There is a good chance that you already know someone working at the company you have set your sights on. Reach out to that person and see if you can meet them for coffee. They may be able to recommend you to the hiring manager or give you tips on the best way to apply.
Take on an Internship
If you have little or no work experience, signing up for an internship could be a great option. Many companies offer paid internships to college students and people who have recently completed formal education. These internships teach you valuable skills and experience, while they can often lead to long-term employment with the company.
Tell People What You are Looking For
There is a good chance that you have a connection that you never considered. Letting everyone know that you are searching for a job increases your chances of finding one. Make this your status on your social media pages and be as clear as possible about what you are looking for.
Sign Up For Company Newsletters
Signing up for the newsletters of the companies you are interested in working at gets you ahead of the competition. You will be one of the first people to be notified when the company posts a new vacancy. Some companies also allow you to create accounts and upload your resume to be reviewed by the hiring manager.
Enhance Your LinkedIn Presence
LinkedIn is the largest networking site in the world and is a great place to make connections. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, this is the perfect time to create one. Make sure you highlight all of your strongest skills and upload your resume so that hiring managers can contact you.
You can also make connections with other LinkedIn users, which could lead to employment. You are likely to find several people who are working for the company that you have set your sights on. Establishing and maintaining a connection may result in a referral or even a direct job offer.
Contact Professional Recruiters
Professional recruiters are experts in helping their clients to maximize their hiring potential. They receive a commission from employers when their clients are hired. Therefore, they go the extra mile to make sure their clients are provided with high-paying jobs.
Professional recruiters work closely with their clients to make sure their interview skills are up to scratch. They usually have a large database of employers who are looking for new recruits. Although you still need to ace the interview yourself, a recommendation from the recruiter goes a long way.
Attend Job Fairs
Job fairs are great places to meet hiring managers and find out about different companies. These special events allow you to meet a large number of people and find out about different career options. You can introduce yourself in person and find out more about the company’s application process.
This is a good way of making contact and making sure that the hiring manager remembers you. Don’t forget to collect business cards so that you can contact them directly. This will help you to skip the long hiring process while increasing your chances of success.
Check Out Job Boards
While job boards attract a large number of job hunters, it is still worth checking them out. Even if a lot of people have applied for the job, you may be the perfect candidate. If you do not at least apply for the job you want, your chances of getting it are going to be non-existent.
Try Craigslist
This popular website boasts a large careers section with jobs divided into a range of different categories. While jobs are regularly posted on Craigslist, most people tend to overlook it as a valuable resource. Therefore, the competition for jobs is lower, making your chances of success significantly higher.
It is also possible to create a post on Craigslist advertising your skills and availability. This is a particularly good option if you are searching for freelance work. It is free to create a post on Craigslist offering your services, so you have nothing to lose.
Attend Networking Events
A large number of industries regularly hold networking events where members can make valuable connections. Many of these are open to the public and are either free of charge or involve a small fee. Attending them is a great way to meet other people in the industry and even find employment.
Before attending a networking event, make sure you have business cards to give to people. The business cards should include your phone number, email address, and your job title. Make sure you dress right for the occasion to create a lasting impression.
Increasing Your Chances of Success
Once you have sent out a series of applications or attended several interviews, you have to play the waiting game. However, there are several ways to put this time to good use and make sure you maintain momentum. Here are some things you can do while you are waiting for that callback.
Work on Your Resume
Make sure that your resume is formatted and edited properly, and up to date. It should include full details of your most recent employment position and the skills that you gained. Your resume should be simple to read and be clear about what type of employment you are looking for.
Update Your Skills
Use the time to brush up on your skills and even consider learning some new ones. For example, speaking at least two languages can be very valuable in the hospitality industry. Devote some of your free time to improving your language or other valuable skills.
Pay Attention to Your Cover Letter
A cover letter is just as important as a resume and is the perfect way to introduce yourself to a hiring manager. Ideally, it should consist of three or four short paragraphs. It should briefly explain your reason for writing, who you are, and what you do. You should also include details of your most valuable skills and invite the recipient to contact you.
Keep Doing Research
If you are still searching for work, keep doing your research. This could include searching for additional companies to contact or finding out more about them. Make a list of all your potential connections and make a plan to contact each of them.
Looking For More Resume Tips?
Well, your first hurdle is timing and staying motivated, so take a look at my Best Times Of Year To Apply For Jobs as well as What Motivates You? in 2023.
Next, let’s get you noticed with an outstanding CV or resume, and these online books I’ve found are a great read! So, check out CVs, Resumes, and LinkedIn: A Guide to Professional English, Marketing Yourself in the Age of Digital: CVs, Applications, Interviews, Social Media, LinkedIn, the English for Academic CVs, Resumes, and Online Profiles, as well as Land Your Dream Job: Join the 2% Who Make it Past Resumé Screening.
And for the more professional, the Expert Resumes and Linkedin Profiles for Managers & Executives.
Online profiles are essential in our modern-day and age; our Best Linkedin Profile Tips and Best Linkedin Recommendation Examples can get you started.
But, I also recommend you read up on LinkedIn Riches: How To Use LinkedIn For Business, Sales and Marketing!, LinkedIn For Dummies, LinkedIn Profile Optimization For Dummies, how to Ignite Your LinkedIn Profile, or even How to Write a KILLER LinkedIn Profile… And 18 Mistakes to Avoid, which are all excellent books available online today.
Final Thoughts
The secret to finding a rewarding job that will pay the bills is persistence. Think of applying for a job as a law of numbers. The more job applications you send out, the higher your chances will be of scoring an interview and job offer.
It can be difficult to maintain momentum if you have sent a lot of applications without success. So, set yourself a target each day that you work into your routine. This could be an hour a day finding companies to apply to, another hour researching those companies, as well as an extra hour applying.
All the best with finding your perfect job!
