Looking at the classified section of the newspaper and online job portals are not the only ways you can find work. Another job hunting strategy is to network with people. Networking is just approaching people and letting them know that you are looking for job. You may be surprised that there are a lot of people around you who are more than willing to help.
Don’t overlook your family. Talk to your parents and older siblings. You can also talk to your older cousins, aunts and uncles. Even if they are not working in the field that you want; they may know of people who are working in that field. Give them a copy of your resume so that when they encounter someone who is working in the field that you want, they can just pull out your resume and give it to them personally.
There is a better chance for your resume to be noticed by the HR if it is handed by someone who is working in the same company rather than being stacked with hundreds of other resumes from other applicants.
You can also get in touch with your classmates from college or from high school. Ask them if they have work. Let them know that you are looking for a job. When they know that you are looking for a job, they can inform you of a job opening when they see one. If they are employed, they can give you inside information if their company has vacancy that is related to your field.
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You can also network with people who may help you find job by letting everyone you meet know that you are looking for work, the people in your gym, your badminton partners, your Bible study group, your socio-civic group. If you don’t belong to any group and has been planning to join one, this is the right time to join now. You’ll not only join the group that you want, you’ll also have the opportunity to meet people who may help you find a job.
Do you have a particular person whom you look up to and want to do whatever he or she is doing? Why not send him/her an e-mail? Check if he or she has a blog. Research him/her in the internet. Find out his/her email address. Send him/her an email and ask how to get inside the industry. Successful people are flattered when people look up to them and most of them will help you.
Job hunting can be very hard especially since these are trying times in the Philippines. But you have to exhaust all your assets so that you’ll find the work that best suits your skills and interests. Don’t settle for a work that you know you’ll not be happy with. With a little people skills and patience, you,ll finally find that work.
