By Rachel Zupek,
Update résumé. Write cover letter. Post résumé online. Apply for jobs. Wait to hear from potential employers. Repeat.
Such
was the process back in the days when job seeking was a simple process
-- simpler than it is now, anyway. Unfortunately, in today's
ultracompetitive job market, job seekers can't afford to be ordinary. As
a result, they are turning to untraditional methods of job searching.
Betsy Richards, director of career resources
at Kaplan University, an online university, says it's important for job
seekers to realize that they shouldn't be using one method or the other
but rather, they should use the two strategies together.
"In
today's market, you need to reach out to people who could give you
access to new networks and employment communities outside of your field
and your normal work group," Richards says. "Even effective job seekers
may have exhausted their network and have to expand it. It could mean
the difference between a successful and unsuccessful job search."
Many
job candidates are finding their job searches are taking longer than
expected, Richards says. In fact, 70 percent of job searches last four
weeks or longer, according to a recent study by CareerBuilder.com. For
these people, traditional strategies won't cut it.
"You have to
use every strategy that is at your disposal. Each person has to find
tactics that are a fit for them," Richards says.
Some job seekers,
however, are afraid to step out of their comfort zones to do something
different to attract an employer's attention. They're afraid
cold-calling a company or standing on the street wearing their résumé as
a billboard will be too bold and turn employers away.
"You can
never be too bold. If you are not bold, you won't get the contact and
you won't be taken seriously," Richards says. "Some people walk a fine
line between being bold and being obnoxious. For most people, the real
issue is that they are shy or uncomfortable. However, some might
misconstrue a low-key approach as laziness."
For job seekers who
have struck out with the traditional routes to find employment, it's
time to take the job search to the streets and use creative ways to get
noticed. Here are five nonprofessional places and events to consider as
career opportunities, according to Richards:
1. Sporting events. Schmoozing with fellow alumni in a relaxed atmosphere can be a great career move. "At a [Miami] Dolphins football
game just last week, a fellow I was sitting next to struck up a
conversation with me and introduced himself. This led to a discussion
about what each of us did for a living and he let me know that he was
looking for a new job. Little did he know that I advised professionals
on their career advancement and could help him plot his strategy,"
Richards says.
2. Social networking sites. Each
day, millions of people make connections through Facebook, MySpace,
BrightFuse and LinkedIn. Consider sending out a note to your "friends"
and "connections" about your job search. "Job seekers should reach out
to their own network to be sure friends and colleagues know what you are
looking for [in a job]," Richards says. "You have to research the
people in the network and the companies and organizations they are
affiliated with. Then, you have to actively ask your contacts to
introduce you to the others and follow through."
3. Local farmers markets.
These community hubs are great places to trade information and chat it
up. "You never know who is picking out peaches next to you! The same is
true at the grocery
store," Richards says. "These are relaxed environments where job
seekers can strike up a conversation with another shopper by talking
about their favorite types of apples or kicking around ideas for recipes
and preparation. All of this can lead up to an introduction and sharing
your career status and experience."
4. Conferences not related to your expertise. For service professionals,
attending industry events and seminars that attract experts outside of
your traditional industry or peer group is a good way to regenerate your
network. "There are a lot of career changers out there. One approach
for those seeking to move into a new industry is to attend a conference
focused on that professional arena," Richards suggests. "To start
building this new network, you may attend conferences about topics
outside of your field. Building a new network of contacts and meeting
professionals with different networks is important."
5. Nail salon, hairdresser, local restaurants or the gym.
The places we frequent can be an oversight when it comes to the job
search. The opportunities to strike up conversations with people you are
already familiar with could be a breeding ground for job opportunities.
"The person providing services to you at a salon
comes in contact with lots of people who share their personal
information," Richards says. "Lots of clients will express frustrations
and be very open. While you are in the chair, the situation may even
inspire a conversation with the person next to you."
Here are four ways Richards says you can pitch yourself to prospective network contacts when in nonprofessional situations.
1. Prepare
an "elevator speech" of three to four sentences that introduces your
most marketable skills. Keep it succinct at no more than 20 seconds.
2. When
networking, introduce yourself and ask the people what they do for
work. After they tell you, you have the opportunity to let them know
that you are searching for a job. Explain what type of position fits
your particular background. You should ask if they have heard of
anything that could be a match for your skills.
3. Always carry business cards no matter what the circumstance. Keep them in your wallet, handbag or cardholder at all times.
4. Make sure your résumé and/or bio and cover letter are prepared so you can quickly send out the information if a contact is made.