Where should I actually look for a job?
Applying to advertised roles alone puts you in the largest possible pile at the worst possible moment. A working search runs on three channels at once.
- Session length
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Matched on
- Your field
Three things worth knowing.
Channel one is applications, done narrowly. Twelve strong, tailored applications beat a hundred sent in an afternoon.
Channel two is people. Most roles are filled by somebody who was already on a hiring manager's mind. Conversations put you there.
Channel three is visibility: writing, projects or work anybody can see. It turns you from a name into evidence.
A sequence that works.
- 01
Define the target
Two role types, a small list of companies. A vague search produces vague results.
- 02
Set a weekly rhythm
A fixed number of applications and a fixed number of conversations each week.
- 03
Ask for information, not jobs
People say yes to a fifteen-minute conversation far more often than to a request for work.
- 04
Track and review
Note what earns replies. After thirty attempts the pattern is usually obvious.
What to avoid.
Only ever applying through job boards
Waiting until the CV is perfect before starting
Applying to anything to keep the numbers up
Never following up on an application
Treating silence as a verdict on your ability
The things people ask first.
How long should a search take?
Longer than you would like. Months is normal, and it is not a measure of your worth.
Should I use recruiters?
Yes, alongside the other channels. They work for the employer, so treat their advice with that in mind.
Is it worth applying without every requirement?
Yes, if you meet most of them. Job adverts are wish lists, not thresholds.
Get this answered for your situation.
A mentor who does the job you are aiming at can tell you which of this applies to you.