Once you complete your resume, you can start sending out your marketing document. There are many ways to look for jobs and market your self. Use AS MANY as are appropriate for you.
Remember you have a product to sell – yourself! The best way to do that is to use every available method that is right for you to distribute your resume. What methods will be best for you will be based on your career objectives, the position you want, the industry you’re targeting, the geographic location and your salary requirements.
Networking:
Networking is the key to a successful job search and the number one method that people get jobs. Talk with anyone who may know of an opportunity that would be right for you: friends, colleagues, neighbors, relatives, etc. You may also want to join a professional association that is related to the career field you wish to work in. Many times these associations have regional meetings specifically for networking.
Personal Referrals:
Personal referrals are another great marketing strategy. Personal referrals open doors that may not be accessible to everyone. So, if you know an individual who is employed in a company that you wish to work for, ask them to talk to the appropriate hiring manager and submit your resume.
Job Fairs:
Job Fairs are a great way to meet potential employers. Instead of cold calling or surfing the Internet, job fairs offer the chance to chat with hiring managers in person and pass around your resume.
Targeted job search campaigns:
This is where you send your resume directly to recruiters or hiring managers working in the industry or company you want to work for. You must be careful to select the right recruiters, which can be done through networking or research online.
Professional Associations:
There are hundreds of professional associations for a variety of industries and career specialties. Do your research and find out the professional associations in your field. Many have websites and publications that post available jobs. Many hold national conferences and local “chapter” meetings which are great networking venues.
Newspaper Ads:
Responding to job ads in print advertisements is another method. If you see a job ad in a newspaper, professional association journal or other job announcement publications that you are qualified for, send them your resume. These ads are usually time sensitive so don’t wait.
Posting your Resume Online:
Many sites such as monster.com and careerbuilder.com (there are a multitude) allow you to post your resume on their sites for free. Employers then search for suitable candidates who meet their job qualifications. Many jobs sites give you several options how to post your resume.
Responding to Online Job Postings:
Responding to online job postings is another option, especially with the explosion of online job posting sites such as monster.com and careerbuilder.com. Remember that networking and personal referrals are the number one way that most people find jobs, so only use this as one of your job search methods.
Corporate Web Sites:
Employers are using the internet more than ever to direct applicant flow. Many companies accept resumes and/or have resume builders directly on their own employment sites.
In Person Cold Calls:
This is where you go door to door to companies to look for work. This method depends mainly on luck and being in the right place at the right time. Very time consuming; it is not considered a very effective or productive method, but it does work from time to time.
In Summary…
Resumes:
Speak for you when you’re not there
Serve as a marketing tool
Must highlight your ability to do the job
Should result in you getting an interview