Dear Job Seeker,
Looking for a job is like going to an all-you-can-eat buffet on The Hunger Games – the choices are endless but you are competing against others that want to survive just as much as you do. And if they are more resourceful, you won’t survive (Get the Job). The more jobs you find to apply for, the better your chances are of landing something (and surviving) – be resourceful!
How to even begin to find a job? There are 3 main ways on how to find open jobs – Online, through your network, and cold calling companies you want to work for.
Online
- Bnlgroup.ca, LinkedIn.com, your school career centre, etc.
- Most companies have their own online Job Boards on their company websites.
- Internet search engines such as Indeed.com, Wowjobs.com, Monster.ca.com, Workopolis.ca.com, Careerbuilder.ca, HRDC.ca, etc.
Your Network
- Everyone knows someone, who knows someone, who knows someone. Let them all know you are looking for work!
- Ask your teachers, ask your career counselors, ask your past employers, ask your neighbors if they know of any job openings (in your field)
Cold Call Companies
- Do you have a burning desire to work for a particular company? Call them up!
- Call the main line of the company, be professional and courteous and ask to speak to whomever is in charge of hiring for XYZ Department. If you aren’t sure which XYZ Department you are suited for, ask to speak to whoever is in charge of hiring overall.
I got my first Recruiting job by applying to an advertisement in the newspaper (i.e: before Internet Job Boards were even a thing!) After a few years at that job, I moved to a different city. I applied to a Marketing job that I found in the newspaper. I got an interview for the job but wasn’t qualified enough for what they needed. However, the person that interviewed me just happened to know a business owner that was looking for someone with my qualifications. She called him up, he interviewed me a few days later, and I landed that Recruiting job. The job was only going to be for 6 weeks but I took a chance and accepted it. Eight (8) years later I was still with them and ended up being the Division Manager for that company. My network (that I didn’t even know existed!) paid off for me big time.
Moral of the Story?
- Be resourceful (looking for a job is a full time job in itself). Give yourself many options.
- Take every single opportunity to interview for a position – it’s part of networking. Take chances (apply for the jobs that you think you have a shot at, even if you don’t meet every single qualification. If you do get an opportunity to interview, even if it’s not exactly what you are looking for, you just never know where it will take you)
Keep rockin.
Rebecca Summerfield
