Getting a job that you actually enjoy is no easy feat. The process is often filled with rejection, disappointment, and a lack of hope. BUT, Rome was not built in a day. So, keep your head up, and take a look at the suggestions below to see if they may provide you with a better chance with your job search. Good luck!
1. Refine Your Search
Look up the job you actually want and review the listings on a trusted source, such as Indeed. Job postings are also visible directly on Google, ZipRecruiter, and other reliable job sites. Yet, some of the listings on these sites can be kind of scammy and may not get you an actual response. They also don’t always list the full job description or necessary requirements for the job or application.
Indeed is a good place to filter through some options, get an idea of the broad skills needed for the job, a range of the pay available, and get some inspiration for where to ACTUALLY look.
2. Look Up Specific Companies
Once you’re on Indeed, you’ll see job postings by specific companies, but the postings may not look legit or may be missing important information. Write down the company’s name and the specific job title. Your best option is to search up the actual company and apply directly on their website to ensure everything processes correctly. This also gives you the chance to further review the listing to make sure you are not missing anything in your application.
If you are more interested in working in a specific type of place, rather than a specific type of job, look up the companies you know fit the setting you want. For example, if you know that you want to work in an office setting, there are many options available. You could look up dentist offices, chiropractors, construction companies, etc. in your area. Next, you can see if they have an online website with job listings. If so, you can apply directly online. If not, review step 3.
3. Submit a Resume
If a company does not have an online job posting, you can always submit a resume in person. Even if they do have a job posting online, this is an additional step you can take to have a personal touch with the establishment itself. If this step seems a little intimidating, you can always begin by submitting a resume in person to some businesses that you would like to work at, but are not your first choice. This way, if the attempt fails, it’s not a huge loss. This option also helps to get over nerves of speaking in a more professional setting about potential skills and opportunities prior to any interview. It may also help you get over your fear of rejection, as there is a possibility that some businesses immediately decline the resume.
When completing this step or completing any job application, it is important to ensure you have a good resume that aligns with the skills needed for the job and the goals of the company. You can learn more about how to make a resume here.
4. Investigate the Company
When applying to any company, it is always important to investigate the company for a variety of reasons. First, research to see how the company treats their staff and employees. You don’t want to go to work every day hating your job if you don’t have to. Companies often have employee reviews on Indeed. Now, be mindful that as with all things, oftentimes, a company may have more negative reviews than positive, as people tend to post negative things.
When reviewing the employee’s ratings, it is important to try to understand both the employee’s side and the company’s side. It is also important to determine if it was a one-off situation, or see if multiple reviews mention the same type of issue. As you read the reviews, you can determine if the complaints are something you do not personally have a problem with, or if they are a deal breaker for you. This will provide you with a better perspective on whether or not you want to work for the company.
Investigating a company is also beneficial to be a prime candidate when you turn in your resume. This is further discussed in the post on how to make a resume, but essentially, if the company states their mission and goals on their website, you can apply this information to your resume. This will help your resume to stand out, as the company will see you are more aligned with their mission.
5. There Are Always Options
Remember that every single business has multiple departments, not just what you see on a daily basis or at a front facing level. If you want to get into a certain company or a certain field, there is most likely an entry level job that does not require experience or a degree. Although there is always an opportunity to enter a new field, be mindful that entry level positions do not tend to start at the highest possible wage.
When considering your options and long term goals, if you believe the entry level experience may be worth it, you can decide a pay cut or slightly lower pay is worth the gain of experience in the field or company. When moving up in certain companies or fields, you may need a degree or a few years experience. This can always be researched.
For example, if you are applying for a certain company, you can always review their job postings for higher positions to see what the requirements are. You can also look up the requirements for certain jobs on Google to be prepared in the future. Entry level positions can always be viewed as a stepping stone. Sometimes the pay is great for an entry level job, but if it happens to come with a pay cut, be sure it is something that works for your specific situation.
6. Good Places to Look for Decent Jobs
These suggestions are merely places that I constantly see hiring a variety of experience levels and are often willing to train. When considering a job, it is also important to consider the benefits they provide, in addition to the pay. Happy job hunting!
Hospitals
Look at local hospitals, private hospitals, national hospitals, veterans hospitals, etc. All of these locations need people to answer phones, clean, schedule appointments, or do other work that does not require a degree. Within these companies, it is important to look at the required skills, as that will state what their minimum expectations are of applicants.
School Districts
Even if you have no degree or experience, there are a variety of jobs available at many different types of schools, not just regular public schools. School districts also provide opportunities to work within the district office instead of at the school site, if that is something you prefer.
If you have a Bachelor’s degree in any field and a clear background, you are usually eligible to be a substitute (job postings will often say “Sub Pool”) at any school in California. Many districts do not have a problem with you subbing at multiple districts, so long as you do not double book yourself. Being a substitute can be a great temporary or part time job, as you can pick and choose which days you are available to work, but the con is there is no guarantee of work. As always, please be sure to check this information with your local school district if you choose to go with this option.
When looking for a job at a school, be mindful that community colleges and universities also hire a variety of positions. The job postings for the colleges will often not be in the same place as the job postings for the school district, so you may need to look directly on the college’s website to see career openings.
Although positions at schools are posted year round, many school job postings are listed during the months of February-July, as this is the time when employee contracts are being renewed or declined, employees are retiring, moving up, etc.
Local Government
Office personnel at city offices, personnel for the courthouses, etc. Always be sure to check city office positions and county office positions. You can also take a look at job openings in neighboring cities or counties if the commute is not too far for you.
Some Tips:
Be mindful of all connections. You never know who will be interviewing you in the future, or what connection will get your foot in the door at a company. Keep a positive attitude! Although it may seem disappointing not getting an interview or getting rejected, the right door will open when the time comes.
Once these steps are completed, be sure to come back to gain some tips on preparing for an interview!
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