Job Search
Introduction:
Let’s have a look at the most popular job search method and see how
effective it is at getting you a job
Using the Internet to look for job-postings,
or posting your own resume on line.
This method is anywhere from 1 to 7% effective.
So the most popular method will only bring you
about a 7% likelihood of finding work.
Job Search
Ways to Look for Work
There are many ways to look for work.
Which of these methods would you use most?
Which method are you least likely to use?
Apply directly to companies on their website
Ask friends, neighbours, relatives, past employers for job leads
Research companies to find out how my background
might be of benefit to them
Use an employment agency
Look for job ads on the Internet
Attend career fairs and trade shows
Send my resume directly to companies I want to work for,
even if they don’t advertise an opening
Look for job ads in newspapers, journals or bulletin boards
Contact companies directly to learn about the types of jobs they have,
Job Search
Is this similar to your list?
The majority of job seekers start by checking out job postings on the internet and in newspapers/journals, in other words, reacting to positions that are posted. Proactive ways such as networking and cold calling are the least used.
Job postings on the internet
Job ads in newspapers, journals, binders,
bulletin boards, etc.
Send resumes to companies/organizations
they are interested in
Use employment
agencies/headhunters
Network,
cold call
ProactiveJob Search
Maximize Chances
So how can you maximize your job search results? Here’s how: use the Creative
Approach to Job Seeking, proven to be around 80-85% effective
First of all, do check out CareerVault (www.ryerson.ca/career/ryecareervault) for jobs specific to Ryerson students/alumni
Attend Career Fairs and employer networking events
(www.ryerson.ca/career click on Events) – (networking, information interview)
Identify companies that are of interest to you (company research, information interview) - some popular guides to get started include “The Canada Student Employment Guide”, “Who’s Hiring 2009”, “The Career Directory”, “The Canadian Hidden Job Market Directory”, etc.
Talk to people doing the type of work and/or working in organizations that interest you; find out why they like their job and how they got their position (information interview)
Then choose organizations that you would like to work for, not just those that have vacancies – (cold calling); research the organization before you approach them (information interview and/or company research)
Seek out the person who has the authority to hire you (information interview and/or company research); if available, use personal or professional contacts, friends, neighbours and/or acquaintances to get in to see the people who have the authority to hire you (networking) Show the employer how you can help them solve their work related problems/challenges
Job Search
Employers Views
Let’s look at how employers tend to find applicants – you’ll see that it’s almost
opposite to the ways most of us tend to look for work!
Post employment ads on the Internet, in newspapers, journals, etc. Refer to unsolicited resumes or those identified
by ASP technology
Use employment
agencies/recruiters
Seek recommendations from
trusted friends/colleagues
Look for internal/known
candidates
Most
Job Search
Conclusion
So what are all these techniques called networking, and information interviews and cold calling, and self-marketing, and how do I use them?
To learn how to use different job search techniques, such as networking, cold calling, information interviews, and company research, you may click here
Or attend one of our workshops which provides more detailed information on each of the techniques. For dates, times and locations of sessions, you may click here
At any given time about 80% of jobs available are never advertised, so to find this ‘hidden labour market’ it is beneficial to learn alternative job search methods
Does that mean that you shouldn’t use internet job posting sites or newspaper ads? Absolutely not. If you find a position that you are interested in, apply for it and get the job, you can save using other methods until your next job search.
