Beyond Job Boards: Alternative Job Search Strategies
by
Deanna Ratnikova, American Physical Society
In my position at the American Physical Society (APS), I come across many job seekers looking for help and advice on how to find a job. I often promote the Physics Career Network (a collection of online job boards), but when I’m asked how I got my current and past positions, I have to admit that online job boards were not the best route for me. Nearly 70% of the positions I’ve held since starting college were found using alternative strategies like networking.
So, if you’re struggling to find a position using online job boards, read on for alternative job search strategies that have proven successful for me.
1) Navigate your network for opportunities.
I came upon my current position by way of my husband’s intramural basketball teammates who were physics graduate students. I told them I was searching for a job at the intersection of science and the community and they said I should check out APS. I took a look at the current job openings, applied, and here I am today.
I would have never known about the opening at APS, however, if I didn’t let people know that I was searching for a job and what type of position/field I was interested in. But it is important to distinguish networking for a job from asking for one. I never asked my friends, family, and colleagues to give me a job or help me secure one; rather, I just communicated to others that I was in the market for a job, provided details on my background and what type of positions I was interested in, and requested that they send information my way if they came upon a suitable position.
2) Contact your target employer (even if there are no openings advertised).
In my position at the American Physical Society (APS), I come across many job seekers looking for help and advice on how to find a job. I often promote the Physics Career Network (a collection of online job boards), but when I’m asked how I got my current and past positions, I have to admit that online job boards were not the best route for me. Nearly 70% of the positions I’ve held since starting college were found using alternative strategies like networking.
So, if you’re struggling to find a position using online job boards, read on for alternative job search strategies that have proven successful for me.
1) Navigate your network for opportunities.
I came upon my current position by way of my husband’s intramural basketball teammates who were physics graduate students. I told them I was searching for a job at the intersection of science and the community and they said I should check out APS. I took a look at the current job openings, applied, and here I am today.
I would have never known about the opening at APS, however, if I didn’t let people know that I was searching for a job and what type of position/field I was interested in. But it is important to distinguish networking for a job from asking for one. I never asked my friends, family, and colleagues to give me a job or help me secure one; rather, I just communicated to others that I was in the market for a job, provided details on my background and what type of positions I was interested in, and requested that they send information my way if they came upon a suitable position.
2) Contact your target employer (even if there are no openings advertised).
Since
graduating college, I have had to relocate two times. In both cases, I had a very specific idea of
what type of job I wanted to pursue in my new city. Instead of searching job boards or even
asking my network for leads, I went straight to the employers I wanted to work
for. Although none of those I contacted
had advertised openings, I found job opportunities.
Here’s
how I did it:
a) I
knew what I wanted to do and I was specific with my skill set.*
b) I
started with a handful of targets, researched them very well, and developed a
pitch designed specifically for each target.
c) I
found the person with the authority to make a decision or influence others
about my employment and arranged a meeting to learn more about the company.
d)
During the meetings I listened as much as I talked—showing true interest and
appreciation—and I showcased my strengths and how I could benefit the company
when given the opportunity.
*Contrary
to common belief, narrowing my skill set to a specific area did not narrow my employment
options. Employers who were interested
in someone with those skills were happy that I reached out to them, and those
who didn’t need someone with those skills knew of someone who did and pointed
me in the right direction.
This job
search strategy may be difficult for shy/introverted people or for those who
are not comfortable boasting their abilities, but I have found it’s one of the
best routes to gaining employment. If
you’re nervous about trying this job search strategy, ask a friend or colleague
if you can role-play with them pretending they are the target employer you want
to contact and meet. Practice telling
them about yourself and you’ll gain the confidence and poise you need to
impress potential employers.
3) Ask about alternative employment options.
3) Ask about alternative employment options.
Nearly
every job seeker I know is searching for a full-time position. If you are one of them and you’re reaching
the desperation point, it may be time to consider alternative employment
options like independent contracting or part-time work. For me and several of my colleagues,
alternative employment led to our first full-time positions.**
- My first full-time job came by route of a
part-time position that started out as a one-time project.
- My best friend interned with a company and
received an offer of full-time employment following the internship.
- Another friend did freelance work for a company who later hired her full-time after the company received several new government contracts.
**I
should provide the disclaimer that we were all young adults at the time and had
little financial and family responsibilities—factors that may prevent older job
seekers from exploring such opportunities.
If you are open to temporary or part-time employment, you may be able to find an employer who could use the extra help for a time-sensitive project or while an employee is on extended leave. I wouldn’t lead with this, however, during your job search, but if your dream company claims to be interested in you but doesn’t have a full-time position available at the time, you could try letting them know you’re open to alternative employment options to see if that opens a door.
If you are open to temporary or part-time employment, you may be able to find an employer who could use the extra help for a time-sensitive project or while an employee is on extended leave. I wouldn’t lead with this, however, during your job search, but if your dream company claims to be interested in you but doesn’t have a full-time position available at the time, you could try letting them know you’re open to alternative employment options to see if that opens a door.
(Note
that I do not consider unpaid internships or volunteer work alternative
employment options. While they do
provide exposure to a company and work experience, I do not know anyone whose
unpaid work has evolved into a paid position.)
If you
have an alternative job search strategy that’s proven successful, please share
it with the community in the comments section of this post. Let’s work together to advance our colleagues’
careers!
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