Crafting a Balanced Job Search Approach: Online and Offline Strategies
One of the most common questions I receive is whether job seekers should focus on their online job search strategy or their in-person or “on land” as we call it, job searching strategy. The answer is - focus on both. A balanced job search strategy including both online and offline habits, is crucial for a successful job search.
Leveraging Online Platforms
Online platforms include job boards and professional networking services like LinkedIn or professional association membership websites. For example, utilize LinkedIn to its fullest potential. A successful job search strategy It’s not just about applying for jobs but also about networking and staying visible in your industry. Engage with your connections, join relevant groups and add context by sharing information that is important to you. All of this will help to increase your visibility as a professional who is engaged in your career space.
Find Niche Spaces
You can find niche spaces both online and offline. Specialized job boards, like The HBCU Career Center, can also be part of a strategic online job search. Why? Because these small job boards attract employers who care about outreach to communities of potential job applicants at every professional level. Local chapters of national professional associations are also small communities where you can engage in real life. For those interested in government positions, USAJobs.gov is an essential online resource. However, a local Chamber of Commerce event could help you connect with local municipalities for employment.
Exploring Opportunities Within Your Current Employer
Job searching doesn’t always mean diving into job boards. Sometimes, opportunities are right within your current organization. This is an example of an effective offline or on-land job search strategy. Look around your current employer for openings and opportunities that align with your interests and skills. It might be a matter of transferring to a different department or role within the same company, but it will be giving you the opportunity to get closer to your long term goals.
Former Employers and Alumni Associations
Don’t overlook your former employers and their alumni associations as part of your online and offline job search strategies. These networks can be valuable sources of job leads and industry connections. These networks meet broadly online and also have in real life meeting groups all over the country. Getting engaged this way, gives job seekers opportunities to build virtual and in-person networks.
The Power of Volunteering
Non-job-related events and volunteering can lead to unexpected career opportunities. For instance, I once attended a career development event where I sat next to the VP of HR for a major university. This chance encounter led to me launching a career development program for the employees at that university. Volunteering at local organizations can put you in contact with influential people who can open doors for you.
Staffing Companies
Consider working with staffing firms and local recruiters that specialize in your field. These recruiters often have access to unadvertised positions and can match you with roles that fit your skills and interests. You can do this as part of an online and an offline job search strategy.
The bottomline is that successful career strategies involve both online and offline activities. Using one approach to the exclusion of the other, is to limit how widely you can cast your job search net. Get engaged using both online and offline techniques.
Dr. Marcia F. Robinson, SPHR, SHRM-SCP is the CEO of The HBCU Career Center. She’s an award-winning HR and leadership expert with 25 years of experience in HR and Career Development Education. Known as Dr. R, she’s on a mission to make workplaces more inclusive and to help professionals find welcoming spaces that align with their V.I.S.A. (Values, Interests, Skills and Abilities).