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Job Search StrategiesAlcian Lindo2024-06-26T10:08:49-07:00
Job Search Strategies
Tri-Valley Career Center is a full-service resource for job seekers, offering access to resources that help you identify where to focus your efforts, and opportunities to fine tune or adopt new strategies for finding your next job. Here is a range of resources, including Tip Sheets to help you start your search today. (Click on each for them to expand and explain.)
Likely, the first place you will start your search is the internet, specifically online job boards like Indeed, Zip Recruiter, corporate websites or the TVCC board. These are good places to start your research and checking them regularly and signing up for alerts are important steps. Take a look at our Job Search Resources tip sheet where we list well-respected sites. (We caution you, however, to not rely too heavily on these job boards as they are famously the least effective way to find work.)
Completing online applications may be easy, but they are the least effective way to find a job. Often your application goes into “the system” and never comes out – not because you are unqualified, but because your resume was not formatted to be read by Applicant Tracking Software (ATS), that enables computers to read and understand it. There are specific strategies to help get your resume through the ATS. Take a look at our Online Application and ATS-Formatted Resume tip sheets for strategies. Even better, take our “Beating the Applicant Tracking System” workshop offered at the Career Center.
As a social media platform, LinkedIn is now a critical piece of any job search. It isn’t just a place to find posted jobs, it’s a place to connect, network, brand yourself, demonstrate your expertise, research companies, people and occupations, and much more. For help, check out our LinkedIn Checklist and 7 things to Avoid on LinkedIn tip sheets.
Wondering where you and your skillset fit in today’s market? Unclear about your next career direction? Taking a quick career or skills assessment test can provide the answers. There are many to choose from and we offer assessments online and in person. The results can be enlightening and help identify a career direction that is meaningful to you. Take a look at our Career Assessment tip sheet for some more information.
Also, try out Career Coach on Las Positas College’s website. There are different assessments to take to help determine an industry and occupation that fits you, information about them, and labor market information, including how many jobs are open in the field right now and how much you can expect to earn in our region. Career Coach then connects you to the College’s programs so you can explore starting right now.
As a job seeker, you want to understand the labor market you are entering. LMI provides information on employment trends, growing industries, hot occupations, and competitive salaries for local, county, state and national levels. Read our LMI tip sheets for job seekers and employers to launch your research or talk to one of our Career Center staff for guidance.
Potential employers “meet” your resume before they meet you in person, so you want it to represent you well. It outlines your knowledge, skills, proficiencies and education and identifies where you match the job for which you are applying. TVCC offers several “Dynamic Resumes & Cover Letters” workshops every month at the Career Center. To begin, download one of our series of resume-related tip sheets, including action verbs, accomplishment statements and Word templates.
Other third-party online resume builders are also an option. Here are a few:
In today’s job market, it is common to submit applications for a number of positions simultaneously and it can take weeks or even months for a company to respond. Staying organized and tracking your efforts helps you juggle company outreach, interviews, and positions. Keep your search under control by downloading our Organize Your Job Search tip sheet today.
Your technical skills may be current, but how about your soft skills? More and more, hiring managers look for job applicants with a set of personal attributes that mirror their values and know how to work as effective employees. These are personal characteristics and work habits that can’t be measured, but enable you to interact effectively and harmoniously with others. Every person at every level in every industry needs to demonstrate these skills every day. Find out more about soft skills on our Common Soft Skills tip sheet, or sign up at the Prologis Learning Academy to take online modules and receive certificates in Soft Skills.
Researching companies, people and occupations takes up significant time throughout a job search, allowing you to become familiar with the companies and people you will meet at interviews, networking events, and informational interviews. Time spent learning insights you can share will help you stand out from competition and make you a desirable candidate. Online research resources include LinkedIn, corporate sites, news sites, and industry specific sites. Check out our Researching Companies tip sheet to get started today.
Interviews come in all shapes and sizes. They take place via Skype, by phone and in person. And while your resume and networking lands you the interview, it’s up to you to use that time wisely to sell your skills and abilities and gauge whether you think you and the company is a good fit. Preparation is your best friend and downloading our Successful Interview tip sheet and attending our “Ace the Interview” workshop at the Career Center is a great start.
Earning a certificate indicating recent training in a technical skill or field helps level the playing field in today’s competitive market. Certificates are especially helpful for those who are changing careers. There are many short-term training programs available locally at community colleges and adult schools, and many can be completed online. TVCC has a limited budget to help pay for some trainings. Attend one of our Orientations or our “Career Pivoting and WIOA-Funded Training” workshop to learn more.
Also, Chabot and Las Positas colleges offer a number of certificates that can be earned in a year or less. The district’s Year to Career initiative highlights those programs, along with our own OSHA Training Center’s to provide easy information on how to upskill and/or change careers completely through continued education. Find out more here: Year to Career
Apprenticeships are an “Earn & Learn” opportunity in a variety of industries and no longer limited to traditional trades. Optometry, cyber security, civil services and many other fields offer opportunities to earn money while learning a skill. There are union and nonunion opportunities, and special programs designed for women entering the trades. Apprentices earn regular raises and have the potential to earn college credit and a six- figure salary. Find out more information at our affiliate Apprenticeship website or the California Department of Industrial Relations website.
Attending job fairs and hiring events allow you to meet employers, learn more about a company, talk one-on-one with company representatives, and make that critical first impression. In today’s world where online applications and keyword searches have turned the job search into a number’s game, this face-to-face opportunity is vitally important. At TVCC, we host a number of hiring events throughout the Tri-Valley. There are also many events held throughout the East Bay and wider Bay Area. Check Eventbrite for upcoming events and review our Job Fair Success and Job Fair Do’s and Don’ts tip sheets prior to attending.
Job Clubs are formal and informal groups of people who wish to network and share experiences with other job seekers. Participation in a Job Club can shorten your job search by making invaluable contacts and gaining perspective on a person’s job search. Members of a job club meet regularly to network with each other, share job leads and connections, and to learn from each other and the facilitator.
TVCC’s Job Club meets weekly, on Thursdays from 10:00-11:30am. See our calendar for more information.
One job search strategy is to pick 10-15 companies that operate in your target industries and learn as much as you can about them. Through your research and networking, you can identify people affiliated with the company who may be able to refer you to an employee if they aren’t one. Your knowledge of the company’s products and services, recent news and organizational structure demonstrates more than a passing interest the company, giving you a competitive edge over other applicants. Learn more about targeted research on our Researching Companies tip sheet.
Networking is a critical career development practice. In fact, networking and employee referrals are the top source for new hires. Meeting new people and connecting with them on a personal level can be overwhelming for some people, but it doesn’t have to be. Sometimes all it takes is a brief comment at Job Club or a Chamber mixer to lead to a deeper conversation about your career interests. Take a look at our Networking & Informational Interviews tip sheet for strategies and sign up for our next “Networking & the Hidden Job Market” workshop at the Career Center. In addition, plan to attend our Job Club or others in the region to meet other job seekers who not only share your experiences, but can widen your network.
Beyond the resources at the TVCC that offer job search trends and proven strategies, it is always good to get advice from a variety of sources. Fortunately, there are many trusted blogs and websites written by experts with advice on career-related subjects. Ask the Career Center staff for their suggestions.
Taking the initiative and setting up an informational interview in your target industry or at a target company is a great way to get in the door. In this case, you’re the interviewer and a job is not the goal, but learning more about the company is. Informational interviews last 20-30 minutes and take place by phone or in-person. These non-threatening, fact-gathering opportunities help get you in front of someone who can connect you with others while offering insight on career paths, industries and companies. Once you make contact, that person becomes a new member of your personal network and you can easily maximize your effort by keeping the connection alive through email updates on how you’re doing. Download our Networking & Informational Interviews tip sheet for ideas and sample questions.
The job search process has changed and adapted over the past few years thanks to social media, video interviews, and personal branding efforts. One thing that hasn’t changed is the importance of sending a thank you note. A personalized thank you note is an opportunity to make a positive impression, and reiterate your strengths and interest in the job. As marketing tools, they add tremendous value in moving your candidacy forward. Download our Writing Thank You Notes tip sheet for great suggestions.
A service of the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District and a partner of EastBay Works
