"If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail." - Abraham Maslow
So what tools are you using for your job search? I ask this question all of the time and I'm constantly amazed at how many people leverage so few of the tools available to them. Now this is not to be confused with my Job Search Marketing Toolkit (which we can revisit some other time), the tools I'm talking about are your lists of recruiters, job search sites, company career sites, friends and family. So, if you're not using a full range of tools, now's the time to get a bigger toolbox.
Recruiters - Where to find them:
- Online Recruiters Directory - This is a really neat site, offered by Online Recruiters Directory. There are a number of approaches you can take. Click Job Seeker from the tab at the top of the page, this will take you directly to the recruiters search box. Three steps - select your category (industry), job type (temp, perm, etc.) and state. Click "search recruiters" and you have your list with all of the contact information you need. You can also click the links on the right hand side of the page under "I am a Job Seeker".
- Find a Recruiter - From findarecruiter.com, provides another search engine for you. You can select from the featured recruiters on the left-center side of the page or the search box from the right hand side. Simply select you field of interest followed by the region and then click "go find a recruiter". This will return a list of recruiters. Click on any recruiter for the contact information.
- The 20 Best Job Search Web Sites - A small list, but a good start. There is an overview, followed by a list of job search sites. Follow through with these and you will have an excellent start on your list of job search sites. Don't forget to set-up search agents (with automated emails if you want), this will save time when you revisit the sites. If you set-up the search agents correctly, this may help minimizing how often you need to return to the website. One more word of advice, update your resume on a periodic basis so that you appear as a "new" user - this will attract more attention to you (otherwise you appear as "stale").
- Large Job Banks & Recruiting Sites - A very large list from The Riley Guide, start working your way through the list and you will expand your coverage. Don't use every site (who has the time), focus on the largest sites which appear to cover your industry and functional role. Each listing has a brief overview (read this first). Add one of these a day and you will be amazed at the number of leads you get over an extended period.
- Company Career Sites - What better place to start than my list of company career sites. Click on any of the companies and you will be led to their career site. Once there, search first for where they are located and what types of jobs they have. Once you narrow down the list, start your search. On each site, register, upload your resume and cover letter and fill in any forms which may help in identifying you as a prime candidate.
- Job Listing Sites - All of the credit goes to Berkeley University of California for putting up this post. This is more like a variety center for various types of job resources (rather than a specific list). Top of the site has links by field (accounting, chemistry, etc.). This is followed by a list of searchable databases and then the individual resources by each of the functional categories.