Michiana is filled with great career opportunities, but finding the best jobs often requires a little digging. Top employers don’t want to hire just anyone, so they often rely on recommendations from people they trust.
Consequently, you’re probably not going to find your dream job from an online posting. Instead, you’ll need to network your way into the company. Find out how to build valuable job search connections that will get you hired.
Join a Professional Association
Filled with career-focused individuals, professional associations bring ample networking opportunities. These groups come in many different forms, but are often industry specific. Membership typically involves invitations to events like happy hours and seminars, allowing you to make new contacts and keep your skills polished.
Seek Informational Interviews
One of the best-kept secrets of savvy job seekers, informational interviews allow you to gain valuable career advice and make new contacts. Simply search LinkedIn for professionals in your local area who have your target job or work at a company you’re interested in and message them to request a meeting.
Unlike a traditional job interview, you’re not actually vying for a position with the company, but if you make a good impression, you might be invited back when the company is looking to fill a role that meets your needs. The person might also know of a job at another company that would interest you, so these meetings can open all kinds of doors.
Partner With a Recruiter
The best staffing professionals have expansive networks, and when you partner with one, their contact list is at your disposal. Many leading employers hire exclusively through staffing agencies, so if you’re not on the recruiter’s radar, you won’t even know the job is available. The best part is working with a recruiter is completely free for job seekers, so you won’t pay a dime for their services.
Reach Out to Your Network
Your contacts want to help you get ahead, so let them know you’re ready to make a career move. Even if they don’t have any leads themselves, they can spread the word to their own contact list. Just be cautious with this, because you don’t want your current employer to find out about your impending exit.
Ready to jumpstart your job search? Wood Staffing is here to help you find light industrial, office, accounting, finance and other professional opportunities with top employers in the Northern Indiana and Southwestern Michigan area. Let’s get started today!
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