Use Local Job Search Resources
First, use local search resources. Sounds simple, doesn't it? But, many job seekers get so focused on 21st century job-search methods that they forget the old-fashioned ones.Start close to home, and look for resources in your city or town. Our local Chamber of Commerce website, for example, has been an excellent resource for job seekers in my town.
Craigslist is another excellent source for finding local job listings.
Use the Job Search Engines
Using a job search engine is a great way to find local job listings. Use the type of job you are interested in as a keyword, then enter your city, state, and ZIP code to find local jobs. Advanced search options will enable you to refine your local job search even further, and search by company, words in the job title, and the radius from a city or ZIP code.Check the Classifieds
The next step in conducting a local job search is to check your local newspaper classified ads on a daily basis.Some small to mid-sized employers only advertise locally. Most local newspapers are available online. Google the name of your local paper, and you’ll find its online presence pretty quickly. From there, it’ll be simple to find job listings, usually in their own separate section of the site.
Check Local Job Listings
The big job search sites let you look for work in any part of the country (and often the world), but they also let you look locally, as well. Monster and the other job banks contain local job listings and users can search by ZIP code or city/region. Also, check your local Nextdoor.com site, you may find job opportunities right in your own neighborhood.Read the News
Be aware of the latest business news in the community you're interested in. American City Business Journals contains information on business in a variety of cities. Each journal is updated weekly and should be required reading for anyone interested in the pulse of the local business community including new businesses, expansions, and cut-backs. This will help you know which employers to target in your search. You don’t want to apply for a job at an organization that’s going to have layoffs in six months.Find Companies
Use the Verizon Yellow Pages to search for local companies by keyword and/or location. You may find potential employers that you didn't know about. Then visit the company's website to review job openings and career information.Follow Employers on Social Media
When we talk about social media in the context of job searching, it’s usually to discuss the things you shouldn’t do, if you want to get hired. But, social media isn’t just a negative factor in your job search: with a little careful curation, you can use it to help you get the attention of a hiring manager at your favorite local company.Start by following your local employers on the social networks you already use, like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Look for job postings, but don’t stop there: cultivate a connection with the company by participating in conversations with them, using the appropriate hashtags.
Network, Network, Network
Finally, don't forget to network. It really does work! Up to 80 percent of all jobs are found by networking. Some of the best job opportunities never make it to job boards or corporate sites. To get to these secret listings, you need a friend on the inside.Fortunately, it’s easier than ever to cultivate those relationships, thanks to those aforementioned social networks. LinkedIn, in particular, can be a great way to forge connections to local jobs.
But, don’t overlook your real-life connections, either: your former colleague, boss, roommate, etc., might know about a job opportunity at their company that would be perfect for you. Keep in touch online, plan regular coffee dates to renew the relationship, and be on the lookout for opportunities to help them, as well. That way, they’ll think of you first when jobs open up.
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