How to find a job?

Discover the ways to find employment.

Many of my individual clients, with whom I collaborate, express frustration due to difficulties in quickly finding a job, as well as apprehension about starting their search due to the belief in potential difficulties in securing employment. During discussions about their experiences, I noticed that in most cases, they rely on one method of job searching - applying to advertisements. However, there are more employment acquisition strategies that can increase the effectiveness of the search. While their number is not huge, introducing diversity into application methods can be valuable, especially when the dominant strategy often fails.

There are several ways to find a job:

Networking

Direct application

Recruiters/headhunters Advertisements

The order is intentional. Why? Read a short story about the recruitment process:

(Networking) "Our team will need to hire an additional sales specialist," announced Luk, the team leader, to his coworkers. "Could any of you recommend someone?" "I know the right person," quickly responded Anna. "Robert is someone my acquaintance met at the Sales Performance conference." "Good, send me his CV. I'll invite him for an interview." The story ended successfully - the recommended candidate turned out to be the right choice and received a job offer. Anna, who recommended him, was rewarded by the company with a financial bonus (1500 EUR + a store voucher), unaware that the company operates a candidate referral system that rewards employees for effective recommendations. In this scenario, everyone benefited: the team leader quickly solved the recruitment problem almost cost-free, the HR department saved time and resources, Anna gained extra funds for a weekend at the spa, and the friend of a friend secured a new job. The position was not widely published, exemplifying the so-called hidden job market.

An alternative scenario of the same situation: (Networking/Direct Application) In the absence of recommendations (applications) from his subordinates,Luk turned to the HR department. The job description was developed and initially published on the company's intranet (Networking), allowing employees from other departments to submit potential candidates and receive a bonus for successful referrals. The next step for HR was to review their own candidate database, who actively sent their CVs or applied for similar positions in the past (Direct Application). These methods often end successfully, again showcasing the efficiency of the so-called hidden job market.

(Recruitment through Agencies/Job Portals) When the above methods do not yield the expected results, the recruitment process moves to a more formal stage. The organization may decide to use the services of recruitment firms (large corporations often have contracts with selected recruitment service providers) or, as a lower-cost alternative, publish advertisements on online job portals.

If recruitment is a priority, the organization may simultaneously apply various strategies to increase the number of applications received.

Recruiters and headhunters use both their own databases (Direct Application), contact networks (Networking), and do not always decide to publish offers on job portals. Advertisements are often available directly on the agencies' websites, unless the recruitment process is confidential. When both the contact network and the recruiters' database are limited, they actively search for candidates, mainly through professional networks like LinkedIn, and also publish advertisements on job portals.

To increase your chances of finding a job, do not limit yourself to one strategy:

• Regularly develop your network of contacts, also virtually.
• Identify companies or institutions where you would like to work, and initiate contact by proactively sending your application (specifying your career goals, strengths, and the value you can bring to the organization).
• Identify and collaborate with headhunters specializing in your industry. Regularly follow job advertisements. How long can you search for a job?

The time it takes to find a job can significantly vary depending on many factors, such as the industry, location, the candidate's level of experience and qualifications, and the state of the economy. Based on available data and studies, the average job search time can range from a few weeks to even several months.

For instance, data from the USA indicates that the average job search time is about 5 months, but this period can be shorter for people with high qualifications and experience in sought-after industries, or longer in the case of an economic recession. In Poland, statistics may show a similar trend, with certain deviations due to local labor market conditions.

It's important to actively use various application methods during the job search, such as networking, direct contact with employers, using job portals, and collaborating with recruitment agencies. Also, adapting to the changing market and continuously improving skills can shorten the time to find new employment.