The best places to look for jobs are often overlooked by most job hunters. Find out were you should be looking for your next job.

Top 10 best places to look for a new job

The best places to look for jobs are often overlooked by most job hunters. Find out were you should be looking for your next job.

The best places to look for a new job are not in the classifieds of your local paper or

even the major Internet job boards. Those jobs are so competitive that it is

virtually impossible to get an interview, and they are not always the most lucrative

offers in your sector.

 

Instead, try these not so commonly thought of places to get started on your new career.

 

1. Network with everyone. - A friend of a friend of a friend can give you the inside track

on a position not yet advertised, so keep those lines of communication open by telling all

your friends and family about your job search. Most of them will share your information

with their friends and family, and greatly expand the number of people in your network.

 

2. Check individual company websites. -

Many companies are avoiding the cost of classified

or job board ads and simply posting job openings on their own websites.

Make a habit of regularly checking company websites that you would like to work for,

and you may be first in line for a job interview.

 

3. Read your trade magazines. -

There are trade magazines for almost every type of job.

Many companies make it a practice to advertise open job positions

to a qualified audience, rather than open the position to the public.

 

4. Attend professional conventions. -

Conventions are prime spots to network and pursue

 possible job leads. Depending on the type of convention, you can ask attendees and

business representatives if they know of an opening in their company.

Be sure to get their name and number to follow-up on any tips.

Also, pass out your business card with current contact information in case

they hear of anything in the future.

 

5. Join a professional organization. - Even if you are not working in the profession,

join the professional organization for your industry anyway.

Many times such organizations have online forums where members

post new job leads. They may also have a newsletter that includes

classifieds by companies or organizations.

 

6. Stay connected to your college. -

Colleges often provide help for students and alumni

in their job searches. Many of them keep databases for current jobs.

Some colleges also have career counseling to help you find a position.

 

7. Ask department managers for a job. -

Human resource departments are usually the last

ones in a company to know about future job openings. Get ahead of the pack by calling

the department manager and asking if there are any open positions in the department.

Even if the manager says no, you will at least have gotten their attention

and may be called in the future for a job opening.

 

8. Let someone else look for you. - Recruiters make their living by matching people

and companies together. Companies pay large fees to recruiters find employees for

highly qualified fields or specialties. You can send in your resume and cover letter to these

types of agencies and let them do the job search for you.

 

9. Sign-up with the unemployment office. -

You do not have to be unemployed to get help from the government with your job

search. Many states will allow you to fill out an application in consideration

for unemployment. This will give you access to listings of jobs and possibly

other job search resources. Some states are even putting the entire process online,

so you can search from home for openings in your area.

 

10. Don't forget your own company. - If you are looking for a higher paid position or

new challenge, consider looking at your current company.

You can easily find job leads through the human resources department,

and often you will be first considered for a position since you already

have a history with the company.

 

Remember, the popular job search venues are not necessarily

where the best jobs are located.