Mastering the Local Job Search

Most of the good jobs you will find won’t be listed in the classifieds. Of course, you should definitely look in your local newspaper's classifies for work and do a local job search online. However, you should know that some of the best jobs are not listed in either place. You may have to send your resume out to every company that you might want to work for, even though the company is not listing any employment opportunities online or in the paper. Often the good jobs are not advertised at all. You have to do the leg work, but it may well be worth it.

A big part of your local job search should include networking with those in your line of work. This can be a source of the best local jobs. Those who work in your field often know of job openings before they even open, and they might be able to give you a lead or even recommend you. Networking can be hard to do when you are new in town, but you have to make it a part of your local job search if you hope to find the job of your dreams.

Another key to a good local job search is to be persistent but not overbearing. You can’t just send out resumes and sit back and wait for the phone to ring. There might be ten other people with a resume that looks just as good as yours. You increase your chances of getting an interview if you do a follow up call. There are always people with your qualifications doing a local job search, so make sure you stay one step ahead by selling yourself effectively without going overboard. This might take some practice, but you have to learn how to do it for the very best jobs out there.

"Mastering the Local Job Search" contributed by Cathy Johnson