One of the Best Resources

Your new best friend

Like it or not, let’s face facts: this is the information age. And the more information you have at your finger tips (or can easily acquire) the more likely it will be that you will be successful in your job search. So, where do you turn?

A very valuable source, as it has been for decades, is your local library. Get to know your local librarians, they can make your job ever so much easier.

Where the gold is buried

Librarians know there are numerous databases which can hold valuable information in their ranks, and a good librarian will know which databases have the information for which you seek. And they will know where you can access that data. Many such databases are available completely online and you access them whenever you wish. A good librarian also will know which databases are available only at the library building.

Another thing that a good librarian can do is to point you toward other sources of information that are not available at that specific library, but may be available through a nearby university or other library system.

When speaking of job search information, LinkedIn invariably rises to the top of the list. Like it or not, if you’re looking for a job, you have to (not need to be) on LinkedIn. If you’re not familiar with the service, there are innumerable articles and video tutorials available detailing how to maximize LinkedIn in your job search.

You also may want to make a return trip to the library. Many libraries offer courses (free, or for a nominal cost) in how to utilize this 21st Century job seeking requirement.

Lastly, just as you would make a list of friends, colleagues, vendors, etc. with whom to meet for informational interviews, you should be making a list of companies where you would like to work and use the information available to find out as much as you can about them… and the people who work there.

You’ll find that this exercise is much more beneficial if you employ the rifle method as opposed to the shotgun. The shotgun method blasts your information out anywhere and everywhere while the rifle approach is much more targeted, focusing only on a relatively small number of potential employers.

More tips.