Here are two powerful ways to network your way to a new position -- job fairs and job clubs. You'll see advertisements for job fairs in almost every Sunday paper. They're often held at local hotels or convention centers. Even if you don't see an ad for a job you seek, if an employer you'd like to work for will be at a job fair, go there with your résumé and start meeting people.
Chat with potential employers to discuss what you'd like to be doing for them -- they might offer to create a position just for you to take advantage of your skills. Or at least agree to let you interview. You'll never know what good things might happen unless you go and find out!
In addition to meeting employers, try to exchange business cards with at least five other job seekers. Why? They might be leaving a company that's looking for someone just like you. At the very least, you'll be practicing your networking skills, which can help you in a job club.
Job clubs -- what are they and how can they help you? Here's the inside scoop.
Because the vast majority of jobs are filled through personal contacts, a job club can be very effective in your job search. And you'll find them all around you. Contact your local library, church, community groups and state employment agency for help in contacting one or more that suit your needs.
If your city publishes a free employment weekly newspaper, be sure to check the announcements section to find job clubs. You may also find them listed in the phone book.
In a good job club, you'll meet regularly with 10-30 other people to share leads, provide support and practice such skills as interviewing and negotiating for salary. Job clubs are often free, so don't worry about high membership costs.
I highly recommend you consider adding job fairs and job clubs to your arsenal of job search weapons.
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Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995,
his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search
assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries.
Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal,
Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among
others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment
Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly,
the cnet online magazine and others.
Kevin can be reached through his Web site Guaranteed Resumes.
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