Finding work on a tight time frame is always tricky whether you are an experienced worker or looking for your first job. Luckily, you can do a few things to increase your chances of getting hired this week. With a little know-how, you can find out about opportunities before anyone else and significantly cut down your search time.
Scrolling through job boards isn’t the only (or best!) way to find work. Here are some more effective tactics to find a job fast:
1. APPLY WITH A STAFFING AGENCY
Staffing agencies exist to match employers with job seekers. Some staffing agencies focus on temp and project-based positions (which can be a great resume booster and networking tactic even if you’re ultimately looking for a permanent position!), but some also hire for long-term and permanent roles.
Depending on the staffing agency, your qualifications, and the type of work you’re looking for, it may take only a few days to get a job through a staffing agency. LG Resources, for example, often places candidates for general labor jobs on the same day depending on employer needs. However, professional and executive job placements may take longer.
2. TALK TO RECRUITERS
Recruiters abound on LinkedIn and other networking sites. If you are interested in a particular company or industry, you can search for recruiters that hire candidates in that area and approach them with a LinkedIn message or email.
Send the recruiter a message describing what you’re currently looking for as well as your experience and qualifications. Your message should be concise, but it’s a good idea to attach your resume so they can learn more about you if they’re interested.
Here’s an example of a message you could send on LinkedIn:
Hi [Recruiter’s Name],
My name is [Your Name], and I’m a [Job title] with [Number] years of experience. I’m looking to take on a new challenge at a new company in [Industry]. Do you have a minute to discuss how my [Type of Skills] skills and experiences in [Industry] might match up with positions you’re recruiting for? Please feel free to reach out to me at [Phone number]. Looking forward to our conversation!
3. GO TO A CAREER FAIR
Career and job fairs can be a great way to get your resume in front of an employer and maybe even score an interview on the spot. If you are charismatic, you can use your people skills to your advantage in this setting.
Since 2020, many career fairs have gone virtual. Whether you are attending a career fair in person or virtually, be sure to find out whether you need to register ahead of time, check over your resume, and practice your elevator pitch beforehand. After the fair, follow up with any recruiters you connected with who are hiring for positions that interest you.
4. ASK AROUND
Don’t be reluctant to let people know you’re looking for work opportunities! Your friends, family, former coworkers, and even long-lost classmates that you’re Facebook friends with may know about job opportunities that are a good fit for your skills. Even if you don’t know many other people in your ideal field, someone in your network may know someone else in the area where you’re looking.
Consider putting out a call to your network by posting a status update on social media or sending a mass “Help Me Find a Job!” email to other people in your network. Tell people what you’re looking for, what your skills are, and what your last few jobs were.
5. JOIN PROFESSIONAL GROUPS
No matter what industry you work in, there’s likely an online or in-person professional group that can help you find out about new and urgent job openings. If you’re not already part of a professional group or want to expand your network, consider joining a local association for people in your field or function, a LinkedIn group, Toastmasters, or a similar group.
Be sure to have your elevator pitch ready for when you introduce yourself! Remember, you never know who might know of a good opportunity or otherwise be able to help you out.
6. SET UP JOB SEARCH ALERTS
You don’t have to comb through job boards every day for new posts. To save time and make sure you find out about new opportunities ASAP, you can set up email alerts from sites like Monster, Indeed, and CareerBuilder so you find out whenever there’s a new opening in your field.
Some job boards and staffing agencies also have apps to help you find out about and apply to new job openings before the competition. For best results, set up multiple job alerts to help you avoid missing opportunities with slightly different wording or that are posted on different sites.
7. USE SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media can be a great way to find out about job opportunities and connect with people who can help you in your job search. Many companies will list job openings on Facebook, LinkedIn, or even Twitter that you might never see anywhere else. You can use hashtags to find open jobs or find and follow recruiters, hiring managers, and companies you want to work for.
LinkedIn can be an especially helpful tool for professional and clerical job seekers. Users can join professional groups and make connections with recruiters, allowing them to find out about opportunities that don’t make it onto the job boards or even get discovered.
At LG Resources, we hire throughout the U.S. but most frequently post jobs on our local office pages in Provo, Roy, and West Valley in Utah as well as Kansas City, KS, and Camp Hill, PA. If you live in one of these areas and are looking for a role in manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, or clerical work, we encourage you to follow your local LG Resources page to find about new opportunities.
BONUS TIP: BE OPEN TO TEMPORARY AND PART-TIME OPPORTUNITIES
In today’s world, many full-time jobs start out as temp or part-time opportunities. Even if you’re looking for a permanent, full-time position, it’s a good idea to consider these types of jobs, as they could ultimately lead to the type of work you want. Plus, each gig is an opportunity to build your resume and network.
Many companies have a faster hiring process for temp and contract work, especially since employers are likely to need employees more urgently for these types of jobs. If you need a paycheck ASAP, temping is a good way to bridge the gap between now and when you find a long-term role.
There’s always something you can do to increase your chances of getting a job quickly. For more tips, check out our previous blog post on what to do when you’re frustrated with your job search.
