Job Search Strategies

The job market is crowded and one of the most important job search strategies you can use is make sure that you stand out from the job searching crowd and show the hiring manager that you are a candidate who definitely should be selected for an interview.

Use the job search engines to find jobs by using keywords that match your interests and the location where you want to work. Narrowing your search criteria will save time, will help you focus your job search and will give you more relevant job listings to review and less non-relevant job listings to weed through.

Networking is still the way most people find jobs and the job search strategies you use need to include networking. Connect with everyone you know, because you never know which contact may be able to help you with your job search or put you in touch with someone who can. Join LinkedIn Groups so you'll have access to job listings posted for Group members and more people to network with.

Create profiles on LinkedIn, VisualCV and other professional networking sites.  Use your name for the URL, if possible. When prospective employers Google you, those profiles typically rank high, so you will provide recruiters, employers, and contacts with a strong positive and professional impression of you as a candidate they should be interested in.

A job interview, of course, is what is going to get you a job offer - or not. Take the time to prepare. Research the company before you go for the interview, dress appropriately, practice answering and asking interview questions, and make a concerted effort to impress the interviewer with your skills, experience, confidence, and expertise.

There are strategies older job seekers can implement to help expedite a job search and to find gainful, and meaningful, employment.