by Pardingtone Nhundu
“Whether you are unemployed or simply looking to make a move, in a world where jobs are more competitive than ever, finding a job is a full-time job”, notes Dawn Dugan. Currently, 75% of youths graduating in Zimbabwe today are motivated more by salary pegs when considering for a job mainly because of the current economic hardships. However, geographic location, job market, salary pegs and career progression are some of the pertinent pointers when generating interest for job search. Dugan further states that, only about 25 to 30% of jobs are advertised in the newspaper. The rest are “hidden.” The best way to access these hidden jobs is through friends, colleagues, acquaintances, and contacts in a particular industry.
Resources for job research include and not limited to:
- Family and Friends
- Employment Recruitment Agencies
- Employer Directory
- Internet
- Business and Professional Organizations
- Personal Networks
- Newspapers
5 Steps to Generating Suitable Job Leads
1. LinkedIn – This is a very formal site compared to Facebook and other applications and putting it to good use creates a formidable force for referrals. Committing self to a constant and continuous connection with people every week, joining particular industrial groups, starting discussions on a particular topic, publishing articles and even answering questions other colleagues post makes you visible and known. Hence when an opportunity comes to one of your contacts they will remember, contact and refer you to that opportunity.
LinkedIn allows you to showcase your academic prowess through self publication of professional concepts, thoughts and even recommendations. Self-publication is also a handy opportunity for up coming writers and even those advertising their work and products. It is a far more sound foundation for journalists in the making.
Being a member of industrial groups on LinkedIn is a sure way of networking. While a part of that industrial group you get an opportunity to contribute, comment to debates and discussions. But most importantly you keep yourself abreast with current happenings of that particular industry.
LinkedIn is a professional opportunity to showcase your skillswhich are not stated on the resume but are pertinent. When you fill out a fellowship or scholarship application you can attach a link to your LinkedIn page that shows your videos, images, publications and even patents, the same with job applications.
By being active on the site you get an opportunity snoop around. Get a chance to look around other key players in your industry who can both offer information, vacancies and much important networks for job considerations.
