Out of the box job search strategies

Been rejected over and over? Maybe you’re looking in the wrong places

Not everyone who began a job search last January has a job now, and chances are, if you’re reading this article, you’ve been rejected, or want to find a better job than the one you have. we looked over the Classifieds’ archives over the past two years and picked out the best strategies for you that go beyong the usual job search strategies.

1. Don’t let panic overwhelm you. If you allow yourself to develop a negative mindset – no one will hire me, I’m not qualified, I’m not good enough – then you condition yourself as a failure. YOu need to prepare yourself for success, mentally and physically.

2. Use your head! Too many jobseekers blindly set resmes everywhere without any thought for what they’re doing or any aim in mind; we’ve received our fair share of misdirected mail at the Classifieds, resumes from people who think we can find them jobs. No one will find a job for you; do it yourself.

Also, do an intelligent job search: read jobs in the Classifieds, online, in flyers, and in brochures carefully. Nothings gets your resume tossed out faster than not following directions; in fact, some companies give complicated directions to weed out those with poor reading comprehension.

3. Leave no stone unturned. Jobs won’t come to you. Search everywhere, use your network, advertise yourself.

Make your Facebook or Multiply work for you; let people know you’re looking for a job. Scour the Classifieds (naturally), haunt Internet job listing sites, look at trade websites for your chosen career field, and check out the “careers” section of the websites of the companies you want to work for. Just look for that hyperlinked word usuallu seen at the top or bottom part of the website that says “jobs” or “career” and click away.

If you don’t know how to use the internet, you should learn now, because that’s crucial skill if you want a good job. Just be careful as to what you post; if your Facebool has racy photos or questionable comments, open a ‘clean’account for jobseeking.

sometimes, it’s only the people you already know but the people you get to know. Public transportation is a good place to find opportunities. Weird as it may seem but you might be sitting next to your future employer. All those long journeys can lead to conversations and those conversations may lead to job offerings.

Plus, some employers post job ads in the MRT, in jeeps and in buses; be sure to be ready to take these down.

4. Put out the word. Tell these people about your job search or ask them if they know of available jobs: online social networks (Facebook, Friendster, etc.); your school career counselor and alumni office (even if you are a graduate!); parents, friends, and relatives; “orgmates,” fraternity brothers or sorority sisters; former teachers; and the company you did an internship for.

5. You want a job? Get more aggressive. There are hundreds of fresh graduates, thousands who were laid off, and those looking to change careers competing with you. Revise your resume; visit companies personally; do your research.

6. Be prepared to walk a lot and move. Attend job fairs; there’s usuallu one going on in malls and schools everyweek. Some companies prefer to see the people who apply for them and can be better inclined towards those who’ve taken the time to apply in person. Be sure that while your clothes are comfortable, they are also preventable enough just in case you’re interviewed on the spot. Be sure to bring a towel and a change of shirt/blouse.

7. Keep an open mind. Be flexible enough to accept a job offer outside your chosen field; sau, if you want to be a call center employee, and you get an offer from a small firm, remember that your chances of upward mobility are higher in a small firm even though the pay may be smaller. YOu can use the job as a stepping stone to what you really want, or create your dream job from there.

8. Be polite. A lot of jobseekers get their resumes tossed out when they act like prima donnas (“You be careful with my resume ha?” said in a condescending tone to a recruiter) or are just plain rude (“Hoy, dito ba ang HR? [Hey you, is this the HR department?”] asked of the HR receptionist).

First impressions last, and there is mo excuse for behaving like a brat at any point in your career – whether jobseeking or when you’re already in a job. Say “please” “po” and “thank you” whenever necessary – those simple words go a long way.

9. Make sure you are available. Keep your phone on; check your email daily. If you ignore a text message or an email from an employer, remember that there is always someone more eager than you won’t.

10. Look in the places people don’t normallu look for jobs. These include your barangay hall and church bulletin boards. Even if jobs are not posted there, they often have free seminars you can take advantage of to improve your skills. (Compiled and edited by C.F. Bobis, Manila Bulletin)