Where to Find a Job: Search for Employment and a Career Path

So you have your resume perfected. You are well-prepared for an interview. Everything is all set. Now, you must decide where to look for jobs. Employment agencies, online job search engines, company websites, your networking group, and job fairs can be excellent sources in finding the right job. However, even if you work ten hours a day at job searching, you need to be organized; you must know which of these outlets to work with first. Some outlets are more helpful than others. Starting at the bottom of the list will only delay your chance at finding employment.

Employment Agencies are recruiters who work with companies who are looking for employees. Often, the employment agencies pre-screen candidates by testing them, interviewing them, calling their references, and examining their resumes. This makes employment agencies more appealing to companies searching for employees, because the company knows that the employment agency has already screened the candidate. Companies also know that these recruiters will match up qualified candidates with their open positions, so they do not have to worry about wasting time with untrained, uneducated, unqualified candidates.

When meeting with an employment agency for the first time, you must treat the meeting as if it were an official interview. Dress and act very professionally. Have any and all documentation they may need with you. Explain your eagerness to find a position and when you are looking to start. After the interview, send them a thank you note or email, following up with the conversation you had. Ask them if they have anything that meets your criteria. If they offer you a job, take it. It’s better to take a job that you are not crazy about, and make some money. Then, you can search for a better job in the meantime. Taking on temporary or part-time work with a recruiter may give you more of a chance to interview and job search. Continue to follow up with your recruiter weekly to find out about any new job openings. They also may be able to help you edit your resume or offer other recommendations that will help you ace your next interview.

If you are unsure which employment agency to contact first, you may want to call them to see what their requirements are in order to be listed as one of their candidates. Often, you can tell by how professional they are if they are the best or not. Here is a list of nationwide employment agencies that you may want to check out. Also, go through the phone book, but when you call a recruiter to ask them questions, be sure to ask if they staff your type of job. For example, some recruiters only staff manufacturing employees. Other employment agencies fill office positions only. Find out what their purpose is when you talk to them, so you don’t waste your time. A final resource or recruiter you could use is your status as alumni. Often colleges post listings and help alumni get jobs.

Bullhorn Reach - has a recruiter search tool you can use to locate a recruiter by location and industry. There are approximately 35,000 recruiters listed on that site.

Search companies on Linkedin using "recruiter" or "recruiting" as a keyword. You will get a list of recruiting agencies.

Jobirn.com provides applicants with real time chat with recruiters and employers.

Search for a staffing agency on www.recruitersonline.com.

Search the NAPS directory by specialty or state to find a recruiter.

Riley Guide has a list of free directories of recruiting firms.

Don’t forget about your networking contacts. Keep in touch with recruiters, previous employers and co-workers, business associates, and other professionals. Create a Linkedin account, and add those associates to your Linkedin account. Make sure it is very professional. Post your resume on the Linkedin website, and contact associates you are close to for advice on your resume or job search. Also, you can view your “friends” in your Linkedin account, and see their friends. Their friends may be excellent potential employers or great resources. You can introduce yourself by discussing your qualifications and asking them about any openings they may know of or have available.

Job Search Engine Websites are often the easiest and most convenient way of applying for work. Instead of going through the third party of a recruiter, you can gain access to employers directly. You can often apply directly on their website, or you can follow the instructions in the advertisement. Many just ask for you to mail or email your resume. If you do it quickly and find a lot of openings you are interested in, you can quickly submit your resume to a large number of employers. Often, this can lead to an interview or two a day.

On these websites, you can also post your resume for employers to view, and contact you. It is recommended that you put your best resume on each website. Not only can you search for jobs, upload your resume, but you can also receive job search advice and support. Also, on some websites, such as the local newspaper, you can post an advertisement stating you are looking for a job. Any employer looking for job seekers will find you, and contact you if you meet what they are looking for. The most popular job search engine websites are:

Once you know your industry or field, you can contact the companies in that field to see if they have any openings. You can drive around, and stop there in person to find out if there is an opening and to pick up an application. You can also go to corporate websites, post your resume for any future openings, and apply for anything interesting to you. Finally, you can call the Human Resource department of the company you are interested in to ask about any openings and express your interest.

• Auto manufacturers or auto dealerships
• Newspapers
• Apartment Complexes
• Bookstores
• Dry Cleaners
• Restaurants, Bars, or Tea Rooms
• CPA Firms
• Job Fairs
• Storage Facilities
• Places to be a cashier at
• Coffee Shops
• Cleaning companies or Janitorial Services
• Job Recruitment Agencies
• Photo Shops
• The Convention Center
• Computer Companies

• Airports
• Real Estate Agencies
• Volunteer Societies
• Hotels
• Internet Companies
• Television Stations
• Delivery Companies
• Furniture Stores
• Retirement Homes
• Electricity and Water Companies
• Call Centers
• Dentist and Eye Doctors

• Schools
• Craft Stores
• Christian Book and Supply Stores
• Gas Stations
• Waste Companies
• Security Services
• Airport Services
• All-Purpose Stores (Target, Walmart, etc.)
• Grocery Stores
• Life Insurance Companies
• State Capitol
• News and Radio Stations
• Country clubs
• Auto Rental Car Agencies
• Oil and Gas Companies
• Testing Centers
• Roofing Companies

• Pest Control Companies
• Contractors
• Accounting firms
• Law firms
• Manufacturing companies
• Nursing homes
• Churches
• Colleges and Universities
• Health Care groups and Medical Centers
• Utilities Companies
• Technology Companies
• Marketing Companies
• Electronic Stores
• Major headquarters in your state
• Hospitals
• Any military base

• Banks
• Construction Companies
• Information Systems Companies
• Malls
• Department Stores

Ideally, you want to visit your local employment agencies first. Put your best foot forward, so that they will want to place you with the companies they represent. They have the most connections and can usually get you the highest paying job. They also can examine both yours and the employers' criteria, and make a perfect match.

Online job search websites are much faster and easier. You can apply for more jobs that way, but you must keep up with who you have applied with and who you have not applied with. Also, do not forget to tailor each resume to the company and the position.

If you are interested in a particular company, contact them to see if they have any openings. Also, use your networking skills to reach out to others for help. The list provided of places to look for gives you a good idea of what fields you may want to start with.