Now is the best time to start looking for a job. You're as qualified as other applicants, so start now before someone else gets your job. Where to Look | Tips | Methods | Contacts Finding work is a full-time job. That means you must: Set your own responsibilities (things you must do everyday to get a job). Wake up early at a set time to start looking for work. Look hard for a job, all day, 40 hours a week. Be your own boss (or appoint a friend) to make sure you carry out your job search responsibilities. Where to look for work direct employer contacts friends and relatives private employment agencies former employers trade associations, unions community service agencies vocational institutions telephone directory yellow pages Online job board and search engines Federal, State, County and local government Employment Development Department Job Service newspapers, major and local, for classified ads, news articles about new plants, company expansions and business trends public library - ask librarian for trade journals, vocational publications and other job information Tips for Planning an Effective Job Search: Make a "to do list" every day. Outline daily activities to look for a job. Apply for jobs early in the day. This will make a good impression and give you time to complete applications, have interviews, take tests, etc. Call employers to find out the best time to apply. Some companies take applications only on certain days and times during the week. Write down all employers you contact, the date of your contacts, people you talk to, and special notes about your contacts. Apply at several companies in the same area when possible. This saves time and money. Be prepared. Have a "master application" and resumes, pens, maps and job information with you all the time. Who knows when a "hot lead" will come your way. Follow up leads immediately. If you find out about a job late in the day, call right then! Don't wait until the next day. Network. Tell everyone you know that you are looking for a job. Stay in touch with friends and contacts. Follow up new leads immediately. Read pamphlets and books on how to get a job. The time you spend reading these materials will save you a lot of time in your job search. Job Search Methods People use a variety of methods to find information about job openings. Some may read the want ads, others ask friends or relatives, and still others may contact employers directly. Successful job seekers use a wide variety of methods but focus most of their time and energy on the more effective methods. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of some of the more common methods used by job seekers. Method Advantages Disadvantages Want Ads Easily accessed, delivered to home or newsstand. Contains only 15% of job openings. Employers use as a last resort. U.S. Employment Service In some areas of the country, 30% of job seekers get job leads. No fee. Average of 5% get jobs here. Staff sees many people each week. Private Employment Agencies Employer may pay a fee. Job Seeker may pay a fee (up to 15% of 1st year's wages). Only one of 20 people get jobs from using an agency. Mass mailing resumes You may get lucky. 5% or lower response rate to resumes sent blind to a company or personnel department. Targeted Resume Sending a resume to a specific person will increase your chances of an interview. Contacting an employer and then sending a resume is most effective. This is time consuming and takes a lot of research. Personal Contacts & Cold Calling 75% of all jobs are found through these two methods of networking. Takes good telephone skills, excellent communication and is time consuming. Network of Contacts Make a list of all the individuals you could possibly contact to research companies and obtain job leads. The list below will help you think of people and organizations you may want to include: A lot of people do not like to do this because they see it as advertising the fact that they are unemployed. If this bothers you, remember, you are not asking these people for a job. Tell them you are looking for work, and that you need information. Most people will not have a job to offer, but they will have valuable information to offer. Try to get at least one piece of information from every person you contact. This way, you keep building your network of contacts and gathering information. Individuals Friends Co-workers Clients/Customers Former Employers Bankers Friends of Friends Merchants Military Contacts Neighbors Other Job Seekers Personnel Departments Professionals Realtors Recruiters Relatives School Contacts Associations Alumni Association Professional Associations Chamber of Commerce Lists Church Convention Rosters Corporate Directories Political Interest Groups Social Clubs Sport Leagues Trade Shows Vendors Veteran Groups