Beating Stress

By Kevin Donlin, CollegeRecruiter.com

All around you, there are jobs waiting to be filled. According to figures in the book, Who's Hiring Who? by Richard Lathrop, there are anywhere from one to three million new job openings in the U.S. every month. Every MONTH. So, where in the world do you find those jobs?

Want ads. While this is a popular job search technique, don't rely solely upon the Sunday classifieds to find work. Statistics show that a mere five percent of all job openings are filled this way. To avoid wasting your time, respond only to those ads you closely fit.

Ads in professional journals. Check your local library for journals related to your industry or profession. While there are fewer employment ads in such magazines than in a typical Sunday newspaper, they are more specialized, allowing you to focus your search.

Trade associations. Professional or trade associations can be a valuable source of job leads. Conventions, both national and local, are excellent places to build a network of people who may know of openings. Check your local yellow pages, or go to the library and consult the Encyclopedia of Associations for more information.

Other job hunters. There's always safety in numbers. Sometimes there's a job there, too. Many cities have job clubs or support groups where people can meet, network and share tips with others seeking work. You'll find out about who's hiring locally and who isn't. You may even get a referral from someone, which may lead to another referral . . . or a job interview. To find a job club near you, call your local library.

Networks. This is the most effective (and under-used) job search technique. Tell everyone you know that you are looking for a job. Call every friend, relative and acquaintance in your address book. Perhaps one of them may be able to put you in touch with a decision maker in your line of work. Even your former employers can help. If you parted on good terms with your last boss, he or she might be able to refer you to other supervisors who can help.

Your goal is to get on the phone with someone who can hire you, schedule an interview, then meet to discuss their needs. An information interview such as this may lead to a job, if one is available. If your talents are impressive enough, a position may be created for you. Or, you may be referred to someone at another company. In any case, expanding your network circulates your name among people who can hire you, greatly increasing the odds that somebody will.

Best of luck to you!

-- Kevin Donlin is the author of "Resume and Cover Letter Secrets Revealed," a do-it-yourself manual that will help you find a job in 30 days ... or your money back. For more information, please visit CollegeRecruiter.com