Job Finding Activities – Here’s what you should be working on

What are the job finding activities that will provide you with knowledge and experience and enable you to compete in today’s job search?

All of the job finding activities listed below are important for different reasons. 

Personal growth

Expanding your network (people you know)

Creating awareness of you and your talents

I frequently hear people say they are doing everything they know how to do to look for a job.

What I think that really means is that they are just looking at the job boards. 

And these job seekers spend a lot of time doing this too- sometimes 20+ hours a week.  

If you ever run out of job finding activities, just refer to this list. (In no particular order)

Job Finding Activities

• Roleplay for interviews
• Attend seminars and workshops
• Enroll in online training classes
• Create a personal marketing plan
• Explore new career opportunities
• Read newspaper/publications
• Set up networking meetings
• Use local One-Stop
• Contact your college/university for job search resources and alumni groups
• Contact people in target jobs and at target companies
• Online networking (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
• Create interviewing preparation folder
• Draft templates for Thank You letters and Cover letters
• Attend a Job Club or networking group for job seekers
• Check all “job posting boards,” and create alerts (use Indeed, etc.)
• Conduct research on companies
• Arrange informational meetings
• Contact search firms, contract houses, agencies
• Look for new companies to add to target list
• Research industry and occupation information
• Read industry publications and newsletters
• Attend job fairs
• Attend networking events
• Blog or comment on blogs
• Join professional association groups and attend meetings
• Volunteer
• Participate in church or religious groups
• Apply for jobs online

I hope you will carve time into your week to be proactive in finding job opportunities, rather than reacting to the slim and dismal opportunities posted on job boards. 

Here are suggestions on how to structure your week.

Get out of your house. (You will never find a job in your house unless it’s filled with hiring managers.) Work in a library or coffee shop where you can potentially meet new people.