How to Search for Jobs

Co-authored by Adrian Klaphaak, CPCC

Last Updated: July 15, 2024 Approved

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Before you begin hunting for a new job, it can help to know what options you have available to you to facilitate your search. Once you’ve taken some time to polish your resume, try searching for openings online by visiting the “Careers” page on various companies’ web pages, browsing various job search sites, or going through the job board hosted by your university. Attending job fairs, working with a recruiting service, and networking with other professionals can also better your chances of breaking into a new field.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Looking for Jobs Online

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Visit the “Careers” page of a particular company you want to work for. If you have your eye on a job with a certain employer, head to their website and look for a link titled “Careers” or “Jobs” at the bottom of the page. Many companies will allow prospective employees to apply for a position online—sometimes even if they aren’t currently hiring.
- Submitting an application online lets the company know that you sought them out directly, which could give you an edge over other applicants.^{[1]
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- Working for a company whose values you share can be a very rewarding experience. If you’re fond of a particular company, you’ll likely have an appreciation for the energy and culture found in your new workplace.
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Use a job search website to get a broad overview of available positions. These sites allow you to search by title, category, keyword, location, and even salary. Some even offer career counseling articles with advice on how to find or change jobs. Thousands of jobs are posted to these sites every day, so be sure to check back frequently.^{[2]
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- Resources like Monster (https://www.monster.com/ https://www.monster.com/), Indeed (https://www.indeed.com/ https://www.indeed.com/), CareerBuilder (https://www.careerbuilder.com/ https://www.careerbuilder.com/), and Craigslist (https://www.craigslist.org/about/sites https://www.craigslist.org/about/sites) can be extremely useful when it comes to finding employment.
- Post your resume to the different job search sites you visit so employers will have an easier time tracking you down.
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Search for specific jobs in your area to narrow down your results. Type the title of your ideal position and the name of your city or town into a search engine and see what comes up. In addition to a few of the more prominent job search resources, you may also be presented with a list of websites and postings you haven’t looked into yet.^{[3]
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- If you’re looking for a nursing job, for example, you might put in “Registered Nurse jobs Dallas, TX.”
- Try refining your search by using more specific keywords to find turn up even more promising hits.
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Log onto your university’s job board if you're a college student. Many universities and community colleges host their own industry-specific job boards. Check your school's student website to see if a job board you can take advantage of. Once you join, you'll be able to create a profile where you can upload your resume, outline your skillset and relevant experience, and interact with interested employers.^{[4]
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- One of the biggest benefits of using a college job board is that prospective employers already know that you’ve received an education in your chosen field.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Leveraging Your Connections

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Start networking to expand your professional circle. Networking is one of the best ways to lock down a job in a highly competitive field. Put yourself on friendly terms with any existing connections you may have, such as your regional supervisor, prominent industry figures, and friends who do what you want to be doing. You never know where a casual connection might lead.
- As your professional network grows, you’ll get acquainted with hiring managers, human resources directors, and other professionals with the influence to help you get your foot in the door.
- Sign up for a LinkedIn account to take your networking skills online. Recruiters are more likely to take notice if you have associates in common, even if you’ve never actually met.^{[5]
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Work with a recruiting service to cover more ground in your search. Research reputable agencies in your area and pay them a visit or register an account online. During the correspondence that follows, be sure to communicate your exact goals and preferences so the recruiter will be able to find a good fit for you.^{[6]
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- A recruiter can help you secure opportunities that you couldn’t have come by on your own.
- Even if you decide to seek the aid of recruiting service, keep putting your resume out there. A good recruiter can increase your chances of finding a job (especially if you haven’t had much luck in the past), but you shouldn’t rely on them entirely.
- Keep in mind that recruiters get paid to get others hired. This can work in your favor if you’re willing to take any position right away, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that they have your best interest at heart.^{[7]
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Contact alumni from your university if you're a job-seeking graduate. Touch base with old professors, advisers, and even classmates from your college days. It’s possible that these people could supply you with new leads, or even be in a position to give you a job themselves. If nothing else, they may have some advice to offer you as you continue your search.^{[8]
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- Look faculty members up by name on the school website to acquire their contact info. If you're trying to track down a former classmate, try using Facebook or LinkedIn.
- Many universities also have career centers designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to enter the workforce. A trip to your college’s career center could prove advantageous, assuming you’re still currently enrolled.^{[9]
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- After your initial introduction, cut to the chase by saying something like "I see that you're working for Dalton Electronics. I submitted my resume to the company a few weeks ago. Do you know how I might get the right people to look at it?"
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Appeal to a friend or relative to provide you with an in. Keep your loved ones updated about the progress of your job search. There’s a chance that they might personally know someone who’s hiring, in which case they can put in a good word for you. If you have a friend or family member who owns their own business, they may even be able to get you a job themselves.^{[10]
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- Recommendations from family tend to go a long way as character references.
- Don’t expect someone you know to get you on with a company just because you’re related. Many workplaces have nepotism policies in place that prevent employees from hiring family members.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Following Other Leads

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Attend career fairs in your community to vie for jobs firsthand. Large companies, universities, and other organizations frequently host events designed to hook hopeful professionals up with potential employers. Find out when the next one is taking place near you and make it a point to be there. Try to speak with at least 2 or 3 different company representatives to improve your chances of landing a coveted position.
- Prowl the Events section of Facebook or your local news station for information about upcoming career fairs.
- Have some inexpensive business cards printed and hand them out to the employers you interact with. If you make a good impression, there’s a chance they’ll remember you when it comes time to make a hiring decision.^{[11]
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Keep an eye on the classifieds to discover offline openings. Get in the habit of reading the classifieds section of your local newspaper every day. While it’s not as common as it used to be, many employers still take out space to advertise jobs. Some employers even prefer listing opening the old-fashioned way, meaning it's possible you could come across an exciting opportunity before anyone else.
- Make sure you follow the employer’s instructions to a ‘T’ when answering a listing. Some might ask that you follow up by email, while others might prefer you to call or even drop by.
- Newspaper classifieds tend to be most useful in less populated areas where small and local businesses rule the job market.
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Try going door-to-door to sell yourself in person. Simply show up at the store, factory, or headquarters of the company you have your eye on and express your desire to work for them. Despite being somewhat unorthodox, this approach can be surprisingly successful, as it gives you a chance to wow your prospective employer face to face without first having to be selected for an interview.^{[12]
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- To avoid confusion, be sure to explain the purpose of your visit—"I read that you're looking for a new software developer and I happened to be in the area. Do you have a minute to discuss the details of the positions?"
- Asking for a job directly works as much as 47% of the time, which is almost 7 times as effective as sending out your resume alone!^{[13]
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Consider using a temp agency if you're not having any luck. Like for-profit recruiters, temp agencies do their best to match you with a suitable position based on your experience. The biggest downside to these placements is that they have expiration dates. They’re also typically based on availability, which means you can’t be too choosy about what you end up with.^{[14]
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- To find out whether there’s a temporary employment agency near you that might be of assistance, search for “employment agency” plus the name of your city, town, or territory.
- Common temp jobs include home health aid, substitute teacher, construction laborer, daycare assistant, and retail salesperson.^{[15]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

How to find a career change?

Adrian Klaphaak, CPCC
Career Coach
Adrian Klaphaak is a career coach and founder of A Path That Fits, a mindfulness-based boutique career and life coaching company in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is also an accredited Co-Active Professional Coach (CPCC). Klaphaak has used his training with the Coaches Training Institute, Hakomi Somatic Psychology, and Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) to help thousands of people build successful careers and live more purposeful lives.

Adrian Klaphaak, CPCC

Career Coach

Expert Answer

Think about what you really want to achieve when you're looking for a new career. Changing careers can allow you to become more of who you are. It's a chance for you to discover your gifts and purposes and how to use them.

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How can I get experience?

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Try volunteering, or if you are in high school or college, try doing an internship.

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How do I search for jobs as a freshman?

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You search for jobs in the very same way.

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Tips

Make sure all the information you provide in your resume, applications, and emails is accurate, up-to-date, and free of spelling and grammatical errors. Oversights can reflect poorly on your professional skills.

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If your goal is to advance your career, you should be willing to treat your search for employment like its own job. You might spend 20-30 hours a week perusing listings, sending out your resume, and corresponding with interested employers.

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Finding a job can be a daunting and even discouraging task if you’ve been out of work for a while, but don’t give up. If you’re persistent and maintain a positive attitude, the odds are in your favor.

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