How Do I Connect With Employers?
Connecting to employers may be one of the more exciting parts about a job search. While doing this, you're learning about what is in your community, what types of jobs exist, and the potential new opportunities that could be behind the next job you apply for. Before you go to the local shop down the street to ask for an application; take a few steps back and start here.
It's simply two phases:
Phase 1: Tell People You Are Looking for a Job
One of the best ways to start looking for a job is to start with people you know - your family and friends might know people who can help you connect with businesses.
Share your job goals with them. Connecting with people you already know can uncover potential opportunities you may not know exist. Who is better to ask what you should do for a job than those who know you best?
What jobs do people in your network do already?
Ask:
“Do you know anyone who works at Company ABC?”
“Can you introduce me?”
Using the information gained, you can now navigate potential job options more effectively.
Get connected to your community
Volunteering is a good way to connect. When you volunteer, you learn new skills - you can add these to your resume. You also meet new people who can give you reference letters for your portfolio or might be able to help you in your job search.
Try an internship
Internships are an excellent way to learn about a particular job and build your professional skills. You can typically arrange an internship through your school, a vocational counselor, or other educational and workforce programs.
For finding opportunities specifically in Ohio, the state provides OhioMeansJobs (OMJ) Centers in every county. These centers are dedicated to helping job seekers find employment, access job training, and utilize technology like computers and the internet for job hunting. You can visit your local OMJ center to get hands-on assistance or use the OhioMeansJobs website to set up an account, search for open roles in your area, and create job alerts for positions that match your skills.
Activate Your Personal Network
Friends & Family
Tell family, friends and neighbors you are looking for work – they are often the best link to hidden job opportunities!
Visit Businesses in Person
Go to places that interest you, ask to speak with a manager, and be ready to share your resume and explain why you want to work there.
Gain Experience Through Volunteering
Volunteering builds new skills for your resume and helps you meet people who can provide professional reference letters.
Phase 2: Showcase Your Skills
Time to show off. Go to the places that interest you and ask to talk to the manager. Say why you like the business; share your resume; ask if they need workers.
Articulate your specific talents clearly to demonstrate value to the employer.
Be ready to tell them some of your skills and strengths. You have talent and the reason you are in that business is to show them that you can be an asset to them. Let them know what you can do.
Ideally, we want to make a strong impression. You can use some of the skills and activities in this section to help practice and stand out.
Make a Strong Impression
Use interview conversation to build a professional connection and stand out.
Other Connections Opportunities
There are several effective strategies you can use to search for and connect to jobs, ranging from in-person tactics to online tools:
We have mentioned Networking and Direct Business Engagement, but there are more opportunities to connect, engage, and find a place you feel you belong. Job fairs are excellent events for meeting and talking with many different employers all in one place.
Searching for jobs Online:
- Use Job Boards: Set up accounts on hiring websites like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and Google Jobs. You can search by your desired role, location, or salary, and set up job "alerts" so you are notified when matching jobs are posted.
- Social Media and Professional Sites: Create a profile on LinkedIn or other professional social media sites to find and connect with people working at your target businesses.
- Check Company Websites: Directly visit the websites of the specific companies you have on your target list to look for their open roles.
- Leverage AI and Automation: You can upload your resume to an AI tool and ask it to find job openings in your area that match your skills. Additionally, there are automation platforms, like LoopCV, that can search for listings and even automatically apply to jobs on your behalf.
- Set up an Email Account: You will need this to search for jobs, submit applications, and communicate with employers.
When utilizing these various methods, it is highly recommended to use a spreadsheet or a job application tracker to stay organized. Tracking the company name, role, salary, date applied, and interview stages will help you remember when to follow up and keep you from missing crucial deadline.
Worksheet
Finding Job Opportunities
Instructions: Use this worksheet as your personal roadmap to organize and track your job search activities.
Step 1: Begin by identifying your job search goals, including the roles you are interested in, your available hours, skills, and transportation should all be considered.
Step 2: Next, brainstorm and list the people in your personal networks, (such as family, friends, or former coworkers) who might know about potential job leads. By using the Networking checklist to ensure you are reaching out to people effectively.
Step 3: As you go out into the community, use the table in this section to record the local businesses you visit in person. Note the date, who you spoke with, what you learned, and when you need to follow up.
Step 4: Assess weekly. This should be a living document that is updated consistently throughout the job searching process. Goals will sometimes change as you learn more about available jobs and meet more people that can help you find the next job for you.