Looking for a job can be daunting, especially in today’s competitive job market. While job sites like LinkedIn and Indeed are popular places to search for openings, they aren’t the only options. Here are some tips for finding job opportunities beyond the major job sites.
Leverage Your Network
One of the best ways to find job openings is through people you already know. Let friends, family, former colleagues, and acquaintances know that you’re looking. They may know of openings that haven’t been posted publicly yet. Attend industry events and conferences to meet new people who could connect you with potential employers.
Join industry associations and alumni networks to expand your professional network. Follow up with connections you make to let them know the types of roles you’re interested in. Building genuine relationships is key, not just contacting people when you need something.
Use Social Media
Social platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter can be great for networking and finding job listings. Follow companies you’re interested in and interact with their posts. Company pages sometimes post openings on social media before they make it to the career site.
You can also search hashtags related to your industry and location to find job postings. For example, #bostonjobs, #marketingjobs, #hiring, etc. Check the “Jobs” section of platforms like Facebook and Twitter as well.
Look on Company Websites
Identify companies you’re interested in and search their career/jobs page directly. Oftentimes companies will post openings on their own site first before listing them elsewhere. Creating a list of target companies and checking their sites regularly is a proactive way to find openings.
Set up job alerts on company sites to get notified when new openings are posted. This ensures you see a role early before it gets flooded with applicants from other job boards.
Try Job Search Engines
Job search engines like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and Glassdoor aggregate listings from many different sources. This allows you to search multiple sites at once instead of visiting each one individually.
Create alerts and saved searches on these sites to be notified of new postings that match your criteria. Look beyond the first couple pages of listings to find openings that aren’t as popular.
Leverage Your School’s Resources
Your alumni network can be helpful long after graduation. Many colleges and universities offer job search resources to alumni like access to job databases, career coaching, and alumni mentorship programs.
See what career support your alma mater provides. Attend virtual alumni events to expand your network. College career centers may post openings specifically looking for graduates of your school.
Search Local Classifieds
Local newspapers, magazines, and community sites like Craigslist often have classified listings for jobs in your area. While these sources likely won’t have as many openings as major job boards, they may feature opportunities you won’t find elsewhere.
Browse classifieds regularly to find job ads in your community. Contact the employer directly instead of applying through a site. Make sure any listings come from legitimate employers before applying.
Find Gigs in Your Field
If you work in a creative or skilled trade field, look for specialized job boards that cater to your industry. For example, Mediabistro for media jobs, Idealist for nonprofit openings, Dice for tech jobs.
Search for “[your field] + jobs board” to find the top sites used in your industry. Follow relevant hashtags on social media as well to find gigs and openings.
Attend Industry Events
Industry conferences, networking events, trade shows, and seminars are great for meeting people and learning about job opportunities. Attend events related to your field or role and connect with attendees.
Check event websites ahead of time for a list of vendors/employers who will be there. Follow up with any promising leads you get at events by email or LinkedIn message.
Consider Temporary Agencies
Signing up with a staffing agency provides access to temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct hire openings. Recruiters can match you with roles well-suited to your skills and experience.
Temporary assignments can also help you gain experience in a new industry or role. Working with an agency may open doors to finding full-time work.
Volunteer in Your Field
Volunteering allows you to use your skills, gain experience, and network with professionals in your industry. Many nonprofits need volunteers with specialized expertise like marketing, tech, accounting etc.
Check volunteer sites like VolunteerMatch for opportunities related to your background. Nonprofit professionals you meet may know of paid job openings suited to your experience.
Use Your Existing Contacts
Think through all the people you already know who could potentially help your job search. Former managers, professors, mentors, friends in your industry, etc. Reach out and let them know you’re looking.
Set up informational interviews to get advice and tap into their network. Ask if they know of any openings that would be a good fit. Stay in touch even if they don’t have leads right away.
Conclusion
The job search process can feel overwhelming when you rely solely on major job boards. Leveraging your professional and personal networks, social media, industry resources, and community sites opens up more potential opportunities.
Casting a wide net through multiple channels allows you to find openings that fit your skills and experience. Persistence and creativity in your search methods can definitely pay off.
Method | How it Helps |
---|---|
Networking | Gain inside knowledge of unposted jobs, get referrals |
Social media | See openings posted directly by companies |
Company sites | Apply early before roles are widely advertised |
Job search engines | Access jobs from multiple sites in one place |
School resources | Leverage alumni network and school-specific jobs |
Local classifieds | Find openings not posted on major sites |
Industry job boards | Target opportunities in your specific field |
Industry events | Network and meet employers in person |
Staffing agencies | Get access to unposted openings through recruiters |
Volunteering | Gain experience and connections with nonprofits |
Existing contacts | Leverage your personal and professional network |
Expanding your job search beyond LinkedIn and traditional sites opens up more possibilities. Try implementing some of these creative approaches to increase your chances of finding the perfect job match.