A Multi-Pronged Approach to Finding a Job

The 4 Venues for Finding a Job

Copyright 2004-2010 G. A. Puleo

Whether you're entry-level or C-suite, your job search should target four distinct venues to find the job and corporate culture that are most conducive to your professional growth.  Although these venues are well known by most job candidates, few conduct an effective, consistent multi-pronged attack when searching for employment. 

Using Multiple Prongs to Find a Job

Investors know that the key to financial security is a diversified portfolio.  Successful job candidates know the active, consistent use of various venues leads to a more targeted, effective job campaign.  Never rely exclusively on one venue to find a job -- you'll significantly limit your exposure to other current and potential openings. 

By using a multi-pronged approach consisting of want ads, cold calling, networking and agencies, you can geometrically increase the probability of obtaining the career opportunity that you desire. 

Want Ads

Classified employment or want ads are usually the first place that a job candidate begins the search.  Whether found in print or on-line, for every success story in finding a job through the want ads, there are dozens of failures where job seekers have spent months responding to ads that have never materialized into interviews. 

To increase your success in the want ads, infer organizational information and characteristics from the ad copy.  While space is often limited due to budgetary restrictions, the ad will still provide valuable information regarding not only the job but also the organization.  If the company name is mentioned, scour their website for additional insight into their goals and current situation.  If the ad is blind (the company name is not listed), consider the adjectives used -- they were chosen for a reason. 

Job candidate who traditionally fare well with want ads are either experts with a depth of experience in highly specialized fields OR have limited experience and low to mid-range salaries.  Employers seek specific skills through the ad and screen out any candidates whose skills do not immediately match those requirements.  For this reason, career changers and highly compensated executives are usually frustrated with this venue. 

Aside from generating potential job leads, want ads also serve a second valuable purpose:  an analysis of a variety of ads can provide a pulse of your targeted industry.  By analyzing specific industries, jobs or even a single company, job candidates can determine who is hiring, competitive salary ranges and trends in the scope of responsibilities sought by employers. 

Review want ads in print, on-line and in the "Careers" or "Employment Opportunities" sections of targeted companies' websites. 

Cold Calling

Cold calling is rarely viewed with enthusiasm but it is an important component of an effective job search.  While a non-referred cold call is usually not as effective when targeting large companies, cold calling can be an excellent tactic to find employment with smaller, less bureaucratic organizations where you may be able to speak directly with a hiring manager. 

Overcome the fear of rejection by developing assertiveness, tenacity and a thick skin.  Timing is crucial and determined by an insider's knowledge of the industry, field and/or corporation.  If you can identify an overlooked need or opportunity that you can help the organization fulfill, cold calling is a great way to generate at least an informational interview. 

Cold calling is an excellent strategy for aggressive job candidates who possess a unique combination of skills, experience and competencies. 

Networking

The #1 most powerful strategy for finding employment is networking.  An estimated 85% of jobs are not posted in want ads -- entree into this unadvertised job market is only accessed by networking.  Not only does networking put a human face on a faceless resume, but it also transforms cold calls into warm calls through the use of a referral. 

Successful networking is not simply meeting someone and tell them that you're looking for a job.  Instead, it requires strong professional and personal self-awareness combined with a realistic appraisal of your abilities and unique strengths.  Planning and preparation are crucial when networking into a targeted company; it is essential that you understand the company's industry, targeted market and corporate culture. 

Don't limit your network to people in your field.  Include others outside of your field or industry to broaden your visibility by increasing others' awareness of you.  Recruiters use networking to find potential candidates who are recommended by people with whom they network.  Networking transforms you from an unknown commodity to a known entity. 

Agencies

Employment agencies and recruiters are hired by organizations to search for and screen candidates for job openings.  Fee paid positions are those in which the client corporation pays the recruiter's fee.  Beware:  some agencies will post fictional jobs in order to generate potential candidates for other jobs.  Don't let your resume be disseminated for a job unless you know what the job is and you are interested in it. 

Executive recruiters or headhunters are always fee paid.  Over the years, they have become more aggressive in soliciting qualified candidates, but they still rely heavily on networking to identify potential candidates. 

Temporary agencies have expanded beyond administrative and secretarial positions.  Accountants, physicians, nurses and attorneys are now being marketed to employers through temporary agencies.  Temping allows an employer to judge your skills and competencies on-the-job and many temp assignments lead to full-time employment.  Not only are your kept fresh, but your visibility and network are also expanded -- plus you get to 'try out' the employer before committing to a full-time employment offer. 

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