WIP #3: Job Hunting is Different Now, This is How to Win the Game


We keep on hearing the job market is bad, retail is dying, financial industry is cutting costs.. it’s hard to find job these days. It’s true, but I also believe that regardless of the market condition, if we are capable enough we would be able to secure a job.

If you are ready for a new career, before even get started to search for jobs, answer these 2 questions:

Bear in mind there is no one perfect job, my own rule is as long as I enjoy working 70% of the time, I can stay on. Now if you have answered them and still want to go on, whether you want to work for yourself or work for someone else this is how you can get started:

 

  1. Slim chance: Hiring Portals

 

  1. Slim chance: Company Websites
  • Some companies post job openings on their internal websites, search through them
  • But again, they might not even update that regularly

 

  1. Better chance: Networking Events

 

  1. Better chance: LinkedIn
  • First you need to update your LinkedIn profile (OMG no account yet? Setup now!)
  • Search jobs posted on LinkedIn
  • Connect with recruiters, people working in the companies that you are interested in
  • I think this has a slightly higher chance because you make a real connection and there are really a lot of head hunters recruiting people on LinkedIn

 

  1. Highest chance: Referrals
  • Network = net worth, especially in job hunting!
  • Gentle reminder that most companies don’t even post their openings on job portals, some statistics show that about 80% of the openings are not posted
  • If you have friends in companies that you are interested in, ask them to refer you. It’s a win-win! Most big companies give referral bonus (upon successful recruitment)
  • I genuinely think this is the most effective job search method, definitely a higher success rate if you apply for a job which people already know you. Yeap it’s not so much about who you know, but who knows you
  • Therefore, a very important tip here: never burn a bridge. The world is small especially in the same industry, your reputation is gold

 

Note: This post is part of the series Work In Progress (WIP).

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