You won’t find your next job sitting behind your desk. Just ask any recent successful job hunter. The key to an efficient job search strategy is putting yourself out there.
“It’s really working your network,” said Karin Davies, 52, of Charlotte, North Carolina, who last summer landed her new job as chief human resources officer.
A recent survey of 2,000 Americans by Randstad found the average job search spans five months and includes seven applications, five interviews and four different versions of a resume.
Davies’ job search took five months — three of them pretty intense with several interviews — and the most important part was networking. A personal connection mentioned a job opening that led her to the new role.
“The job boards have never been more plentiful,” said Davies, who heads HR at Passport Inc., a mobility software provider based in Charlotte. “But it’s knowing someone who knows someone who works in the company you want to target, or knowing people in the community who can direct you to new opportunities.”
Here are three ways to put yourself out there and find a new job ASAP.
1. Network like it’s your job
It’s good to be fresh on people’s minds when job hunting. So make this part of your job search strategy. Catch up with past colleagues, managers and others over coffee. Go to networking group lunches.
Share strategically with a few folks that you’re open to new opportunities. Pick those you trust the most and who know you the best, are good at making introductions and have the pulse on the job market. If you think you might want to work with a headhunter, discreetly ask your trusted connections for recommendations.
2. Raise your profile in your community and industry
Consider joining a networking group, attending an industry conference, volunteering on a board or speaking at an event as part of your job search strategy.
In the year before her job search, Davies’ work consumed all of her time and energy. But she had to make time to show up and be more relevant in her industry and community again. She attended Chamber of Commerce events, served as a judge for local tech industry awards and spoke on a panel about best HR practices.
3. Step up your LinkedIn game
You can be just another of the half billion users on LinkedIn. Or you can really work your online professional network.
Check out your news feed a few times a week. It doesn’t take any more time than reading the latest on Facebook, and it could help you find the job of your dreams.
Comment on and “like” the articles your connections post. Congratulate people on their new jobs and promotions.
You could also show off what you know and what you do by writing and publishing an article to LinkedIn. Think of it as a blog post. And, of course, ask your connections for time to reconnect in person.
The bottom line
When job hunting, make getting out there part of your strategy. This approach helps you stay top of mind. In your network. In your community and industry. In the job market. “It’s like being a superstar,” Davies said. “It’s like if you are Taylor Swift and you don’t put out an album, people aren’t going to think about you.”
