four ways to find a job

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Four Ways to Find a Job

Career Development CentreLa Trobe University

December 2012

2CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTRE | La Trobe University

Four Ways to Find a Job

Networks Canvassing

Advertised vacancies

Social Media Networking


Quiz

What % graduates obtained employment from ...• Advertisement in print media

• Advertisement on internet

• Approached by employer

• Approached employer directly

• Careers fair or info session

• Family or friends

• Other

• Other uni source eg lecturers

• Recruiter/employment agency

• Uni careers service

• Work contacts


Answers

Advertisement on internet 25%

Family or friends 15%

Approached employer directly 10%

Uni careers service 10%

Advertisement in print media 6%

Approached by employer 6%

Other uni source eg lecturers 6%

Work contacts 6%

Careers fair or info session 5%

Recruiter/employment agency 3%

Other 8%

Source: GradStats, Graduate Careers, December 2010

5CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTRE | La Trobe University11 April 2023

Advertised job vacancies

• Newspapers• Company websites• Professional associations• Recruitment agencies

(see www.rcsa.com.au) • Employment websites

(see handout for extensive list)


Australian job advertisements

Job advertisements (total market):• Online - 82%

• Newspapers – 18%

Job ads online (market share):• Seek - 68%

• CareerOne - 20%

• MyCareer - 12%


Tips for job websites

• Register your profile so employers can search for you

• Subscribe to job email alerts

• Check everyday for new listings


Tips for Recruitment Agencies

• They work for the employer, not you

• Register with agencies advertising jobs in your field

• Build relationship with recruiter

• Accept short-term / contract roles

• Ask for feedback on resume, interviews


Networking

• Building two-way, mutually beneficial relationships one person at a time

• Reciprocal

• Long term

• One of the most important professional skills you can develop

• It is not about collecting business cards!


How to network

• Talking about you

• Sharing your knowledge with others

• Talking with a purpose

• What do you want? Names, ideas, introductions?

• Communicate your personal brand


How to network

Actively listen

Ask the right questions

Be interested in the answers

Ask open ended questions


At an event

How might you approach someone at a networking event?


At an event

• Introduce yourself

• Use your ‘elevator pitch’

• Firm handshake, maintain eye contact

• Start a conversation (avoid anything overly personal, politics, religion, asking directly for a job)


Ending a conversation

“I promised I’d circulate the room, but it’s been great meeting you. Do you have a card?”

“I’m sure you want to meet other people, so I’ll let you go. Do you have a card?”

“It’s been great speaking with you. I’ll send you a copy of my proposal tomorrow. Do you have a card?”


Follow up

If you don’t follow up, what was the point going to the networking event?

Send an email after the event

Thank you for meeting

A document or weblink you discussed

Your resume if appropriate

Send an invite to join your Linkedin network


Tips

• Always be polite and friendly

• Be proactive and approach employers

• Have an opening line

• Speak clearly

• Leave a conversation gracefully

• Always behave professionally


Develop your elevator pitch

A brief summary that introduces who you are, your interests, skills and experiences, and states what you are seeking

“Hi my name is ... I have recently graduated with a science degree, majoring in genetics. I’m really interested in how we can use web 2.0 technology to increase people’s awareness of inherited disorders.”


Develop your elevator pitch

Take 5 minutes to draft out your elevator pitch

What do you want to say about yourself?


Networking Activity

Make contact with 2 people in the room you don’t already know

Use your elevator pitch

Ask questions / short conversation

End the conversation gracefully

You’ve got 10 minutes!


Social networking

• Will anything be embarrassing if seen by an employer?

• Make sure privacy settings keep employers separated from friends

Linkedin• Best for professional networking

• Upload your resume

• Have a professional summary

• Keep up to date with referees and ex-colleagues


How to use LinkedIn

• Add people that you meet

• Join a special interest group related to your field

• Engage in conversations in the interest groups

• Update your status regularly ‘seeking opportunities in...’

• Use the resume builder

• Ask former colleagues and employers to complete a recommendation on your account

• Follow up your contacts regularly, use the in built email in LinkedIn or send directly to their email address


Canvassing

Hospitality and retail casual jobs:

• Approach business in person

• Be dressed neatly and appropriately for that industry

• Have your elevator pitch prepared

• Ask to speak with the store manager

• Provide a copy of your resume

• Follow up regularly if no work currently available


Canvassing

For ‘office jobs’

• Identify companies in your industry

• Use your networking technique to meet potential employers (phone call, LinkedIn)

• Arrange an informational interview

• Then, give the employer your resume


Informational interview

• A meeting initiated by yourself to learn more about an employer, career, industry

• Can be conducted over the phone, in person, via email

• Your chance to ask lots of questions about getting into the industry

• Ask for contacts that may be able to offer you employment


Informational interview

• Prepare for the meeting by writing out a list of questions

• Do some research on the company and person you are meeting

• Have a copy of your resume and business card ready to give to the employer

• Follow up the meeting by sending a thank you email


Summary

In searching for work:

• Set some goals for meeting new contacts

• Work out which websites you will use to search for advertised jobs

• Identify networking events to attend

• Get feedback so you know where to make improvements (cover letter, interviews, etc)

• Don’t give up