Job Searching 101

Class Location: Anywhere with an Internet connection.

Description: In this course you will learn a lot on landing a nice, full-time job.

Prerequisites: None.

Required Text:  None.

Objective: Find that full-time job you've always wanted. 

If you know you’ll be leaving your job soon, it’s smart to start your job search while you’re still employed. The trick is to be discreet as you begin putting out feelers. Several tips can help you lay the groundwork before beginning your all-out job search.

• Increase your visibility through social-networking sites that work through referrals. Recruiters often use these sites, such as Linkedin.com or Zoominfo.com, as a starting point for their searches. Just a small amount of work can make it easy for potential employers to find you. These sites allow you to connect with colleagues in your industry and keep in touch with what’s going on in the job market. And you can do so without exposing your identity unless you want to.

• Network within your industry. No one will raise an eyebrow if you attend functions or meetings of business organizations connected to your company. And you can mingle with people inside your industry and make connections for the future. Taking on leadership roles in these organizations will also increase your visibility.

• Use some of the networking techniques that head hunters use. For instance, you can identify potential companies where you might like to work. Then use the Internet to find their former employees. Contact them to ask questions about the company, the department and the individuals you might work for.

• Reconnect with your old network. When you have a steady job, it’s easy to let your former connections fall by the wayside. Start contacting those people you’ve known for years but haven’t talked to. Remind them who you are and what you do. Re-cultivating those relationships now will put them in place for when you need them.

• Think hard about where you want to go next. This time is a great opportunity to reassess what parts of your career you enjoy the most and what you really want to do more and less of. Think about your strengths and weaknesses and channel your interests to decide what you want your next job to be.