7.1 The Job Search

It is an exciting time as you prepare for your career in Operations Management. Let’s look at what it takes to complete a thorough job search, what sets you apart from your competition, how to tap into your networks, how to utilize social media, and the interview techniques that will help you attain the career you have been working towards.

The Hidden Job Market

Chances are, you’ve tried your hand at job searching at one time or another and (to your dismay) you’ve come to the conclusion that finding a job isn’t an easy task! People want to hire you, but you need an organized and targeted approach. Instead of focusing on the quantity of applications, start focusing on the quality of applications you’re sending out. Without a clear understanding of the hidden job market, the importance of using a variety of job search methods, and a tailored approach, you are at risk for increasing your frustrations and decreasing your motivation to find work.

The hidden job market accounts for 65-80% of available jobs, suggesting that an unprecedented number of jobs are no longer being publicly posted. More often than not, positions are being filled internally, by referral or through direct contacts. This is because some employers prefer to fill vacancies by word of mouth, referral programs, and internal job postings.

You need to tap into the hidden job market by diversifying your job search. This means opening the door to a more responsive market and expanding additional opportunities, resulting in a shorter, more successful search. In the following sections, job searching has been divided into two major approaches – your online job search strategy and your networking strategy.

Online Job Search Strategy

Fanshawe Career Centre Job Board

Fanshawe Career Centre offers an online job board exclusive to Fanshawe students and graduates. You can visit this website through FOL – Resources – Career/Co-op/CCR to view a variety of current full-time, part-time, and summer employment opportunities. You can set up alerts to be notified when opportunities in your field are posted. Furthermore, you can also find out about job fairs, networking events, and employer information sessions on your Dashboard.

Employer Websites

Make a list of target employers and visit their websites often. Employers often receive so many resumés that they don’t always need to post their positions to a job board to attract interest. Therefore, by creating a list of employers that you may be interested in working for and frequently visiting their “Careers” section, you will ensure that you are seeing any available positions. If their websites have a resumé bank, be sure to upload your resumé. There are several different resources to help you develop a list:

• Business directories, such as the Yellow Pages
• LinkedIn company directory
• Professional associations

Online Job Boards and Search Engines

Although online postings are among the most highly populated job search methods used by job seekers, they only account for a small percentage of available jobs. Nonetheless, they are still a convenient way to look for employment and for certain companies this may be the only option. Once you have entered a site, you would typically use a search engine to find advertised jobs by inputting a keyword and location. Most of these online sites allow you to post your resumé directly with the idea that an employer or recruiter may match you to a position and contact you directly. Review the following recommendations to improve your response rate:

• While setting up and receiving targeted e-mail alerts may be helpful, ensure that if you’ve posted your resumé, you are updating your information regularly, as many recruiters are looking at resumés according to how recently they were posted.
• Jobs are often listed by a range of different titles; remember to change your search criteria frequently to maximize your search results.
• Lastly, don’t wait until the closing date to apply; the early bird catches the worm. If looking to fill an opening immediately, employers may start reviewing applications before the position closes.
• For an up-to-date list of common websites visit Job Search found on FOL – Career/Co-op/CCR site.

Professional Association Websites

Many industries and occupations have professional associations, and these can be a valuable resource in your job search. Becoming a member of a professional association links you to members who have similar interests and qualifications. Typically, on a professional association website, you will find information about relevant job listings, upcoming conferences and events, career development opportunities, industry trends, publications, and newsletters. Attending conferences and events may lend favour to potential networking opportunities. Learning industry trends could prove useful in your next job interview and accessing member directories may assist you in setting up an informational interview to gain valuable industry-specific career advice.

Managing Your Job Search

The job search process can certainly feel like you are riding an emotional rollercoaster. While there may be times when you receive a positive response and feel excited, it is more common and normal that you will experience frustration, anxiety, or general disappointment. These feelings can result from a lack of responses, failing to meet the expectations you had for yourself or the expectations that you feel others had for you, or the weight of being continually rejected. When you experience negative feelings associated with your job search, not only do you tend to become less productive, but your negativity can seep into your interactions with employers. Fortunately, there are some useful strategies you can employ to maintain your motivation and better manage your stress throughout your search.

Job Search Tips

• Set goals.It can be difficult to maintain momentum in your job search. To ensure that you stay motivated, consider setting daily and weekly goals. Set goals for different job searching efforts, for example, “I will aim to submit two online job applications per day” or “I will make two to four new connections on LinkedIn each week.” Setting and meeting daily goals will help you to believe that you are capable of finding a job and breaking down tasks will help you feel less overwhelmed.
• Create structure.Additionally, it can also be helpful to create a job search routine by scheduling specific times during your day or week that are dedicated specifically to searching for work. You should focus on hours of the day that you have the most energy and the least distractions. While you do want to commit yourself to a reasonable block of time, avoid staring at the computer for too long or you may notice your productivity declining.
• Stay organized. Document your job search efforts as you go. Write down the jobs you’ve applied to, the dates in which you applied, and save a print or electronic copy of the job postings in case you need to refer to them in the future. Similarly, when attending job fairs or networking events, gather the names and contact information of those you spoke with. It is often helpful to use a spreadsheet to track the details of all of the information so that you can follow up. Not only is it good for a point of reference, but it creates a level of accountability. By tracking your efforts, you will notice that you’ve done a lot of work and this will make you feel proud and fuel your motivation. On the other hand, it might also give you an indication that you haven’t been doing as much as you should and make you more responsible in getting back on track.
• Figure out what’s not working and seek help.People often spend months job searching and wonder why they aren’t receiving a response. If you’re not generating responses, there is probably something about your current strategy that isn’t working. Evaluating your strategy and trying something different might be the answer you are looking for. Ask those around you for constructive criticism, identify where you are struggling, and improve it. Take advantage of your resources; book an appointment with the Employment Support Centre to discuss and evaluate your current approach.
• Take care of yourself.Looking for a job can be draining. Make sure you maintain a healthy diet and get enough rest to maintain your drive. You will reduce your stress and increase your positivity by making time for things you like to do, whether this is playing sports, reading a book, watching a movie, or anything else that keeps you motivated.
• Reach out to your support network.When you’re feeling really defeated, don’t bottle up your job search stress. Instead, share your experiences with a close friend or family member. Chances are they have been in a position where they can relate to your experience. Sometimes a trusted friend can help you challenge your negative beliefs by offering encouragement and support, which can boost your confidence in yourself and the job search process.

Online Job Search Safety 

The Canadian Competition Bureau reports that “thousands of Canadians of all ages and from all walks of life are defrauded each year.”^[1] Learn to recognize employment scams to protect yourself from financial loss, wasted time, and energy.

Working in Play: Planning for a Career in the Recreation and Leisure Industry in Canada (sections 6.1-6.5) by Linda Whitehead, BA, M Ed, MBA is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.