If you're looking for new employment opportunities, you may find yourself wondering, "Where are all the jobs in my area?"
Jobs in My Area: Finding Local Employment Listings
When searching for employment listings within your local community, you have several available options:
- Local newspapers: Your local newspaper is an excellent resource for learning more about which companies are hiring in your area. If you don't have a current subscription to the paper, see if you can view the classified ads for free online.
- Local job search engines: An increasing number of communities are creating special Web sites for local job seekers. For example, Iowa residents looking for jobs in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area can turn to the Corridor Careers Web site for position listings.
- National job search engines: Prominent job search sites such as Career Builder and Monster will let you use location as a job search criteria.
- Craig's List: Depending upon where you live, Craig's List can be a good way to find employment opportunities. However, you'll want to research all opportunities carefully to avoid any scams.
If you're curious about whether or not your salary expectations are realistic, Payscale has an online tool that provides information for the average salary of a particular occupation according to location and experience level.
Tapping into the Hidden Job Market
Did you know that employment research indicates only 20 percent of all available positions are ever advertised? This means that 80 percent of openings are filled by someone who took advantage of their knowledge of the hidden job market.
The Power of Networking
It's not what you know, it's who you know. This expression is a great way to illustrate the importance of networking when you're looking for a new job.
Looking for a new job can be a very frustrating experience, especially if you're currently unemployed. However, it's important to avoid isolating yourself. Reaching out to others can be the perfect way to find your next job. Networking is a very powerful tool for job hunters. For this reason, many communities hold regular events designed to connect local employers with those in search of new jobs.
While formal networking opportunities can be quite helpful, don't forget to take advantage of informal connections as well. If you're looking for work, remember to tap into the following resources:
- Family: Even if your family members don't work in the same industry as you, they might have connections at companies of interest.
- Friends: Friends can be a valuable resource for learning about potential employment opportunities, since they are likely to be well aware of your strengths, weaknesses, and future career goals.
- Previous colleagues and business associates: Make a list of all the people you've come in contact with during your previous employment, then contact each person individually to let them know that you are looking for work. While you shouldn't ask them to get you a job, it's perfectly acceptable to say, "Please let me know if you hear of any available jobs in my area."
- Prominent community members: Members of your community who work with the public on a regular basis, such as hairdressers or insurance agents, are often the first to know when local companies are hiring.
Informational Interviews
If you're a recent college graduate, interested in changing careers, or a stay at home mom planning to return to the workforce, informational interviews can be a good tool to answer the question, "Where are the jobs in my area?"
Unlike a job interview, an informational interview is not related to a specific employment opportunity. The purpose of an informational interview is simply to help you learn more about the jobs which are available within a particular industry and to make connections that can help you find further career development opportunities.
To learn more about the role of informational interviews in finding a job, visit the iseek Web site.
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