The job hunt - part 2

After setting up your online job alerts you can always check the newspapers. A more time consuming process, which will often bring up the same results as your online search. The newspapers that are worth a look are local community rags. They often advertise 'situations vacant' that are local and offered by small businesses who do not want the expense or demographic reach of the online or state/national newspapers.

Of course, personal networking is key. Particularly if you live in rural Australia, where many jobs are not even advertised. They are simply filled via the word-of-mouth grapevine.

As soon as you are on the hunt, talk to people about it. Let them know:

• you are looking
• the type of work you would like
• your experience/skills

Do you mention the R word? That's your choice entirely. If you live in a small country town, you probably don't have the choice, as everyone will know, via that same grapevine.

I was quite upfront with people, saying I had just been retrenched and was on the lookout for my next career challenge. From my perspective there was no shame or feeling that I had to hide the fact, it was simply a cost-cutting measure and I drew the short straw. In these economic times, it should not even be an issue.

Unfortunately, I have since discovered that some people still think it is. So my advice would be, if you have the choice to disclose your retrenchment, or not, think about it before you start talking. I found it had the ability to stop a conversation dead in it's tracks. Again, if you live in a small community, people will find out pretty quickly anyway. Your attitude will help determine their response.

So, personal networking. A scary word to some, but really it's all about communication and building relationships. Think of it this way; You have a set of skills and experience.
Who do you know that might need those skills at some point? Contact them - in person, via phone, email or letter. Let them know you're looking for your next career opportunity and what your skillsets are. Paint your conversation in terms of what's in it for them. If you believe your skills may benefit their business directly - pitch to them. If not, ask them for referrals to people/businesses they know who use your sort of skills.

The last three jobs I had were all as a result of talking to people. Two of them weren't even advertised. I have also generated three freelance opportunities in the same area. All as a result of networking, or as I prefer to call it, communicating.

So get talking - whether by phone, over coffee, or in writing.