Sometimes knowing where to start is the hardest part of any task. Identifying your job-search resources is a crucial step in this process. There are a number of ways to find new opportunities, but the most common ones are job boards, company career pages, working with a recruiter, and networking.

Let’s take a closer look at each:

1. Job Boards

These are websites or apps that feature a variety of current job postings. There are more generic job boards that cater for most skillsets and experiences and some more nice, specialist ones that may be more suitable to your search. A bit of research online should be able to unearth both for you. 

2. Company Career Pages

Making a list of companies you’d like to work for and going directly to their websites is another great way to find new opportunities. It is time consuming but if you have your heart set on a few select companies, it might be worth the effort. 

3. Recruiters

These are independent firms that try to find candidates on behalf of their clients. They may not be for everyone, but they usually have the inside scoop on what the job market looks like and can provide helpful tips on your resume and interview skills. If you work with a good one, they will also likely have a number of roles that aren’t known to the wider market. The really good ones may even be happy to have proactive conversations on your behalf. 

4. Networking

Your network is probably the most valuable resource that you’ll have at your disposal. This includes your friends, family, former colleagues, and professional connections.

Once you’ve identified all of your resources, you’ll want to spend some time evaluating which will be most useful. 

Diversifying them will be crucial to your success - don’t rely on just one! It’s easy to lose track of multiple applications and conversations so make sure to keep a track of which jobs you apply for, and with who. And don’t duplicate applications. 

A few extra tips

1. Work With Your Network 

Nobody likes asking for help. But most of the time, people you know will be very happy to try and do what they can. The key is untapping this invaluable resource. 

The first question is, who do I know that works in the space I want to work in? To work this out you first need to understand;

• specifically what type of job you are looking for

• the specific industry / industries you are targeting

Then you need to decide how you want to ask your network to help. Do you want them to them to introduce you to connections at a target company or refer me to a job with their employer.

Try and be smart about who you reach out to. You may not want to let your current colleagues know that you’re looking, so being selective will be important.

2. Outsmart the Applicant Tracking System

Applicant Tracking Systems are the bane of many job seekers’ existences. If your CV doesn’t have the right formatting or keywords, you may be screened out before an actual person even lays eyes on your application. 

3. Make Time For Your Follow-up

Recruiters often receive a lot (we can be talking hundreds a week) of applications, so having the right skill set for a particular job may not be enough to get you noticed. Getting on their radar will greatly increase your chances of getting an interview. 

Ty and utilise LinkedIn - search for any connections who work for the company you’d like to apply to, the recruiter or hiring manager. Once you’ve identified who you’re going to follow up with, it’s time to craft your message. 

Don’t forget to make these messages stand out by infusing your personality and demonstrating your genuine interest in the company and how you can help to solve their most pressing pain points.

*make sure you have an updated LinkedIn profile before you start reaching out to perspective employers and recruiters – please see our separate guide with tips about how to make this stand out rom the crowd and ensure it raises the right questions.