Looking for a job can feel frustrating and overwhelming at times. However, there are many resources available that can make a job search easier and help you successfully navigate through this challenging process. Here are six of the best career support resources to help you find your next job.
1. Corporate Websites
One of the best ways to find open positions in an organization you’d like to work for is from the company’s website. Review the site to get a feel for its values and company culture. Then, look for the careers or job openings section on the site. Most company websites have an easy-to-find careers page listing open positions and employee benefits. For the companies you’d most like to work for, applying directly through the corporate website can get your resume in front of a hiring manager immediately.
Additionally, by utilizing an email lookup tool, you can streamline the process of contacting hiring managers or talent recruiters directly, increasing your chances of standing out among other applicants.
Progressive organizations might have a talent network available, which candidates interested in working for the company can join. The network keeps interested parties up-to-date on company news and informs them of job openings matching their skills and position. If the company has a talent pool, make sure to sign up.
2. Career Service Centers
Many colleges have a career service center available for alumni. Networking with previous classmates and fellow graduates helps make your job search easier by building on the bond of your shared educational experience. The university career center might also offer additional career resources and guidance. If you’re not a college graduate, a community college might also have a career resource center that provides support to the local community
3. Job Fairs
Job fairs gather together several hiring companies so job candidates can learn about multiple job opportunities and organizations in one place. An online search can inform you of job fairs in your locality. Create a strategy before you attend a career fair and bring multiple copies of your resume to leave with hiring managers. You’ll also want to pre-register, which gives you a chance to get noticed by hiring managers before you even attend the event.
4. Professional Organizations and Industry Publications
Many industries have professional organizations that provide members with networking opportunities, continuing education, and career resources. You’ll be able to network, stay current in your field, and learn about job openings in the industry. You might even find a mentor or experienced professional willing to offer you professional guidance during your job search.
Here are some examples of industries that have member organizations for professional development and networking:
- Business and management.
- Accounting.
- Construction.
- Customer service.
- Education.
- Engineering.
- Arts.
- Counseling.
- Legal.
- Information technology.
- Sales.
- Writing.
You can also find trade publications relevant to your industry. Industry journals and articles will inform you of current industry trends, which is more important than ever when searching for a job. Some publications have job listings for subscribers, which can help you find your next position.
5. Online Job Boards
Online job boards allow you to get your resume in front of thousands of hiring managers in any professional field. You can create a profile and upload your resume. Once you’ve created your account, you can search for jobs by title, skills, location, and similar options. Many job boards, like CareerBuilder, allow users to create job alerts to notify them when new jobs that meet specific search criteria are posted. Job alerts are especially beneficial because you can be among the first to apply when a new job meeting your criteria gets posted.
Depending on your skill set, you might consider applying for a position at an employment website like CareerBuilder. The CareerBuilder company culture fosters diversity, work-life balance, and professional growth opportunities within a supportive work environment. Many employment sites know the value of employee appreciation and offer competitive wages, benefits, and job perks. If you have well-developed technical skills and enjoy working in the field of employment, a job recruitment and professional development company might be a great fit.
6. Self-Development Resources
Being between jobs can give you more time to focus on personal development. You can read books, listen to podcasts, take an online course, join a program, or attend a workshop. You can work on developing areas of yourself that can help you both personally and professionally, like confidence, creativity, public speaking, or writing skills.
Countless resources are available to help you when conducting a job search. Choose one resource to start with, such as finding a local career center or job fair to attend, and commit to taking action immediately. If you take daily action, stay optimistic, and keep moving forward, you’ll soon find yourself interviewing for your next job.
