Job search strategies

These 10 tips should help you find the job that you've been looking for.

1. Identify the type of job that you prefer.

Think about your skills, experience, and education. Identify what type of job you would like to have. Create a list of keywords to use when searching online job listings.

2. Research potential employers and industries.

• Use ReferenceUSA [1] (Library card required from home) to create a list of companies you want to target. Look up these companies on Career Insider [2] (Library card required from home) to get the inside scoop on what it's like to work for them.
• Visit the company websites to learn about how many employees they have, their products and services, locations, and other information that might apply to your job search. Check their job listings. If a company doesn't list job openings on their website, call them and ask if they have any opportunities.

3. Network.

Use your network to learn about jobs. Contact people you know from previous jobs, professional associations, volunteer work, alumni associations, friends, and family.

• If you aren't on LinkedIn [3], set up an account, fill out your profile, and start networking. Check out these articles for more tips: "Ten Ways to Use LinkedIn to Find a Job [4]" and "Ten tips to enhance your job search on LinkedIn [5]."
• Consider using Twitter [6] for networking and job searching as well. Check out these articles for more tips: "Leverage Twitter for Your Job Search [7]" and "Using Twitter for Job Search [8]."
• Join the Kansas City Networking Group [9].
• For still more help with networking, look over these books available at the Kansas City Public Library. Search the Library's catalog [10] under the subject heading "Business networks."
• Highly Effective Networking: Meet the Right People and Get a Great Job [11]
• How to Succeed in Business Using LinkedIn [12]

4. Search for jobs.

Search for jobs on job listing sites. In the Kansas City area, these sites are a great place to start, but don't forget more targeted job listings available through professional associations, schools, and other sources.

• The Kansas City Star [13]
• KC Career Link [14]
• Kansas City Business Journal [15]
• Simply Hired—Kansas City [16]
• See more searching resources [17]

Keep these things in mind as you use online job banks such as the Kansas City Star, Simply Hired, etc.:

1. Do an advanced search whenever possible. This will allow you to input more specific information into the search engine so that you get better results!
2. Most job bank websites organize job postings into Categories. Take the time to look through these categories to determine which you should use for the type of job you are seeking. Some jobs will fall into several different categories. Ask a librarian if you need assistance determining which category to use.
3. Many job board websites also allow you to attach your resume to their system. This can make applying for jobs you see on the job board easier. Ask a librarian if you need assistance with this.

5. Work as a temp or volunteer.

Consider working as a temp or volunteer. Many temporary positions can lead to full-time work. While volunteering won't net you a paycheck, you will get your name "out there" and demonstrate that you're reliable, have a positive attitude, and are sincerely interested in a particular organization. Volunteers often receive special benefits, and many organizations draw from their volunteer pool when seeking new paid employees. Visit VolunteerMatch [18] to identify volunteer opportunities for hundreds of organizations across our area.

6. Check out local job and career fairs.

Job and career fairs provide the opportunity to meet many potential employers at one time. Ask a staffperson in the Business & Career Center for information about current job fairs in the Kansas City area.

7. Consider an internship.

If you're a recent graduate, an internship is a great way to get work experience in your field.

8. Use an executive recruiter.

If you have several years of work experience, consider using an executive recruiter. They can notify you about job leads that might not be posted elsewhere.

9. Get your online presence in professional order.

Whether it's MySpace [19], Facebook [20], Twitter [6], or any other site, you need to get your online presence in professional order. Adjust your privacy settings if needed and think about what a potential employer could see and how that might affect your job application.

10. Stay organized.

As you apply for jobs, stay organized. Keep a list of the potential employers you contact, including when you contacted them, who you contacted, how you contacted them, and any result from the interaction.

For additional information, contact an H&R Block Business & Career Center librarian by phone, 816.701.3717, or by e-mail, bcc@kclibrary.org [21].