How to Find a Job: Tips to Expand Your Search

A job search typically refers to finding employment by looking for open roles and applying to those who feel like a possible fit. While online job boards like LinkedIn and Indeed remain popular tools for finding work, you have many other avenues worth exploring.

Explore various ways you can conduct and expand your job search to increase your odds of finding your next position.

4 ways to find your next job 

You have various options for finding a job—each potentially expanding the number and types of roles you discover. Let’s go over four main ways to find your next job.  

1. Online searches  

Searching for job postings online is a common way to find a new role. While many potential candidates rely on job boards, that’s not the only possibility. Check out three other places you might look for appropriate openings:

Company websites  

If you know certain companies you’d like to work for, monitor the “Careers” section on their website to see when relevant postings open up. Many companies offer you the option of subscribing to alerts, so you’re among the first to know about new postings.  

Social media

Employers, recruiters, and employees sometimes post about job openings on social media platforms in the hopes of connecting with followers. According to a survey by Stand Out CV, 91 percent of recruiters use social media as part of their hiring process [1]. Monitor platforms such as X or Facebook for announcements—or use them to search for any relevant openings in a particular line of work. You may also want to explore relevant industry groups on Facebook to hear about openings and connect with others. 

Job boards

Job boards or career sites like LinkedIn and Indeed post many new job openings daily. They remain a popular way to find out about open roles. You can use these platforms to refine your search by filtering location, employment status, seniority, salary, and other factors you’re looking for. 

Companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to collect, parse, and categorise CVs. Getting past an ATS can help you optimise your CV, synthesise your formatting, and tailor your materials. 

2. Networking 

Building a professional network can be an excellent way to find—and get—a new job. Connecting with other professionals, employees, or employers usually requires being proactive and developing your network in advance. That way, when you come across an exciting job opening, your connection can alert the hiring manager about your application or even refer you directly.  

Informational interviews

Whether you want to learn more about a job and what it entails or hope to expand your professional network, informational interviews can be an excellent opportunity to learn more about an industry, job, or person. Before researching the best people to contact, clearly understand what you want to gain from an informational interview. Be respectful of their time by limiting your conversation length and remaining focused throughout your time together.  

Recruiters 

Recruiters often spend their time identifying talent to fill open roles. Reaching out to relevant company recruiters can be a way to alert them about your interest and experience. Before doing so, it’s best to make sure your professional profile is up to date and that you’ve researched the company to explain your interest in working there. 

Referrals 

Companies typically like referrals because they tend to lead to high-quality candidates who get hired faster and stay longer, according to a study from LinkedIn [2]. If you’d like to apply to an available job and know someone at the company, ask if they’d feel comfortable referring you. If you don’t know anyone, take time to expand your network. Use LinkedIn or other professional networking platforms to find and connect with relevant employees for informational interviews.   

3. Career prep 

Beyond applying online and networking, consider taking advantage of opportunities to hone your skill set and help you gain professional experience. Preparing for your career can take several forms, including the following.

Internships 

An internship can be an excellent way to try different jobs, gain relevant experience, meet new people in an industry, and even transition into an entry-level job. Whether you’re still working on your degree or recently graduated, look for internships in a field that interests you or at a company where you’d like to work. 

Job fairs 

Job fairs bring together many companies that are currently hiring. They offer you an opportunity to explore industries, companies, and jobs and meet with recruiters or representatives who can discuss your experience.  

Mentors

A mentor can help you at any stage of your career, whether you’ve just graduated or been working for some time. They are people who offer valuable feedback aimed at helping you grow in your professional efforts. A good mentor has information that can help you develop and is willing to invest time in a professional relationship. Seek out a mentor, but as with informational interviews, be clear about your goals in working together. 

4. Career counselling

You may need extra guidance about your career path from time to time. Career counselling is an opportunity to meet with a professional, reflect on your needs and goals, and align your search to meet those larger endeavours. They may be able to offer insight into the types of jobs you should explore or the kinds of industries that value your skill set. 

Refine your job search

As part of your job search, it may be helpful first to identify your career goals or develop a career development plan. Both can focus your search efforts by clarifying what you’re looking for and what you want to achieve out of your next job so you can tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect those larger aims. 

Once you have a better idea of what you’re looking for, it can also be beneficial to work on your application materials before you search for available jobs. 

If you’re looking for your very first job, you may want to spend time formatting your initial CV and listing out valuable transferable skills you have to offer. You can also enhance your CV by adding key action words to describe your experience and highlighting critical skills employers value. 

Lastly, if you want to change careers, you may want to work on your CV objective or begin outlining your career change cover letter. Focusing on your CV and cover letter before applying can help you develop baseline documents you’ll eventually alter for each application.

The job search process is an opportunity to figure out what you want. Use our Job Search Guide to walk you through each step, beginning with picking a career and locating in-demand jobs by area. 

Explore further  

Now that you know more about how to find a job, you can begin exploring various avenues, such as online searches, networking, career preparation, and career counselling. Casting a broad net can help increase your chances of finding one that aligns with your career goals. Remember, your job search journey is also an opportunity to discover what you want from your professional life.

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