10 Things Every Jobseeker Should Be Doing to Find Their Next Position

By Stacy Donovan Zapar

There’s lots of great advice out there for jobseekers, but if I were job seeking, these are the 10 things that I would do.  Hope this info is helpful for you!

1.  Submit your resume directly to the target companies where you’d like to work (via their website, public email address, snail mail and/or drop it off in person).

2.  Send your resume directly to the recruiters or hiring managers at your target companies (via LinkedIn), referencing any specific positions which interest you.  (Feel free to request a formal LinkedIn introduction to any of my connections by clicking “get introduced through a connection” on that person’s profile and I’ll gladly forward it along on your behalf.)

3.  Join some LinkedIn groups that are relevant to your career path.  LinkedIn now has a Groups Search Engine to make this process very simple.  Use the Discussion and Job boards to network with your fellow group members.  They may know of a relevant opening that’s perfect for you.

4.  Network, network, network – LinkedIn is a wonderful resource.  Link up with as many former coworkers as possible and ask them if they know of any relevant openings or contacts who might be able to assist you with your search.  Recent grads, be sure to leverage the power of your alumni network, either through the university or via LinkedIn networking.  Most alums love to help out fellow grads from their alma mater!

5.  Post your resume everywhere possible (Monster, Dice, HotJobs, CareerBuilder, Craig’s List, etc.), confidentially if you prefer.  There’s no shame in it and it gets your info out to your target audience (recruiters and hiring managers).

6.  Consider working with external recruiters – they’re free to you since it’s the company that pays if/when they hire you.  (Don’t know any agency recruiters?  Find them via LinkedIn.)

7.  Leverage Social Media.  In addition to LinkedIn, be sure to use Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Blogger, WordPress, etc. to establish yourself as an expert in your space / profession / industry.  Follow recruiters, hiring managers and employees at your target company.  Build a following and network with your followers.

8.  If you haven’t already done so, be sure to check out the Intuit Careers Page (www.intuitcareers.com).  We have hundreds of job openings!

9.  If you’re not local and all else fails, move first and then look for a job.  (That’s what I had to do… Back in the day, no one would seriously consider me until I had a local address on my resume).

10.  And last, but not least…  If we’re not already connected, be sure to link with me on LinkedIn so that we can network together.