FISHING FOR A NEW JOB:
Throw a Lot of Lines in the Water

By Louise Kursmark, CPRW, JCTC

In your job search, increase your chances of landing a big fish by casting out many lines and constantly trolling a variety of waters.

ONLINE AND PUBLISHED WANT ADS: These widely published positions are very competitive, so the closer you come to fitting all the criteria, the better your chances of getting a response.

RESUME POSTING: It's fast, easy, and usually free to post your resume at career sites where employers and recruiters look for candidates.

RECRUITERS: Keep in mind that recruiters work not for you, but for the hiring company, so they're interested in you only if you're a perfect fit.

RESEARCH AND COLD-CALLING: Identify companies that are a good fit for your interests and expertise and then approach them with a letter and resume. Be sure to follow up with a phone call. This approach may turn up jobs that are not yet advertised.

NETWORKING: People hire people, so the more people you can make aware of your search, the greater your chances of being found at the right time. Learn how to network effectively so you make the most of this valuable strategy.

When job seekers ask me, "What is the very best way to find my next job," I can honestly tell them that there is no "one" way. Rather, they should pursue many different avenues, all at the same time, because you can never tell where a lead will come from, or which lead will turn into the perfect opportunity.

About the author: Louise Kursmark