5 Job Search Strategies You Need to Know was originally published on Ivy Exec.
A recent study found that 80% of executives are open to new opportunities, but only 26% of them are actually successful in finding one. So what’s the problem?
What Are the 5 Ways to Find a Job in 2022?
With the internet having revolutionized many aspects of our lives, it is no surprise that finding jobs has changed too and has left many people confused.
Once dominated by newspaper classified sections and “help wanted” window signs in towns across America, today’s job search relies on a sophisticated mix of online resources with social media, portable technology, and digital self-promotion.
The best way to land a position has always been and probably will continue being through face-to-face interactions with decision-makers, working your personal networks (family members or friends), performing well in interviews, etc.
Those who recognize that new digital tools are available while still maintaining an interpersonal aspect of job searching succeed more than others do when it comes down to the hiring process – so don’t give up on those old school methods just yet!
Here are the top five ways to find a job in 2022:
- Use Your Network to Find Unadvertised Positions
- Grow Your Online Network and Be Found by Recruiters
- Target Influential People at Companies You Want to Work For
- Apply to Postings via Job Boards
- Use Specialized Recruiters
1. Use Your Network to Find Unadvertised Positions
Your network is your best bet when it comes to finding a job in today’s market.
A staggering 85% of jobs are never advertised, which means that the vast majority of opportunities are found through networking.
Reach out to your family and friends, former colleagues, and anyone else you know who might be able to help.
The more people who know that you’re looking for work, the more likely someone will have information about a job that isn’t advertised yet, or that may become available in the near future. You might be able to get the name of a good contact, or even a recommendation or referral.
2. Grow Your Online Network and Be Found by Recruiters
A recent study by the Society for Human Resource Management found that 77% of employers are using social media in their recruitment process, and 94% of recruiters are using LinkedIn as their primary tool for finding candidates.
Why do some job seekers have a lot of LinkedIn traction, while the majority of people struggle?
So, it’s straightforward: the individuals who are obtaining results have what we call Algorithm Intelligence.
As a senior executive, you are likely no stranger to the challenges of finding the perfect job. You have likely been searching for months or years and know that there is more than one way to get your resume in front of hiring managers. But what keywords should you use? How do you know which keywords will actually help your search? Good news! LinkedIn has some great tools that can help you find out just how well your resume matches up with jobs on their site.
These terms are frequently used in job descriptions, and as a result, recruiters will tend to include them in their candidate searches. If you’re having trouble coming up with keywords, check out the Job’s Section on LinkedIn for open positions that are relevant to you. Look through both the candidate requirements and responsibilities to see what phrases are used to describe them. Your next task is to make sure that each of these keywords appears on your profile, so you’ll need to create a list.
The best strategies for finding hidden jobs are to build your professional network and make a targeted position bucket list to pinpoint specific roles at specific companies.
3. Target Influential People at Companies You Want to Work For
Influential people at organizations you want to work for are another excellent approach to find a job. This might include the company’s president, CEO, or other high-level managers, depending on the level of the position sought.
However, simply looking for people on Linkedin and then cold-emailing them isn’t enough. To identify connections who would be able to answer your inquiries, conduct research into their backgrounds, professional paths, and training.
At these beginning stages, it’s a good idea to identify three to six key contacts. These are the folks who are doing exactly what you want to do in the field.
Your goal is to move the conversation offline. Schedule a phone meeting as quickly as possible and when a contact agrees to meet with you, take charge of that meeting. That means that you should know what information you’re seeking; perhaps you want to know about the career ladder they climbed or the job search they conducted. Make it less about yourself and more about them or what you can do for their organization.
It may seem like a long shot, but reaching out to these individuals can make you known as a problem solver with the confidence to take risks!
4. Apply to Postings via Job Boards
While job boards are not as effective as they once were, they can still be a great way to find employment.
The most popular job boards include Indeed, CareerBuilder, and Monster. When searching for jobs on job boards, be sure to use Boolean search techniques to get the most relevant results.
5. Use Specialized Recruiters
If you are having difficulty finding a job on your own, you may want to consider using the services of a specialized recruiter. Recruiters can help you find jobs that are not advertised to the general public.
There are many different types of recruiters, so be sure to find one that specializes in your industry or field. For example, if you are a healthcare professional, you may want to use the services of a healthcare recruiter.
Recruiters can be a great resource, especially if you are targeting a specific industry or company.
The Bottom Line
While the process of finding a job has changed in recent years, the best way to find employment is still by networking and building relationships.
By using your network, growing your online presence, and targeting influential people, you will increase your chances of landing a position. Job boards and specialized recruiters can also be helpful, but should not be relied upon as the sole source for finding a job.
Read Also: Always Say This One Thing When You Network With Someone New