Top Ten Ways to Find Job Leads (FREE) This free topic gives you a good idea of sources of job leads you need to explore. As a college grad in a competitive job marketplace, you need to be prepared. This guide is a great source of useful and effective information to give you a great start Top Ten Ways to Find Job Leads (FREE) When it comes to job hunting, you may not want to put all your eggs in one basket. To yield the most results, see which “baskets” are your best bets on securing employment. Check out the top ten ways for college grads to find out about openings. 1. Starting early. By beginning your job search as early as your sophomore year, you greatly increase the chances of nailing down a solid job offer that will become effective pending graduation. This strategy will let you try out different types of work through volunteering, interning and campus involvement. You are likely to become more focused in the type of work you want to pursue. You can also develop longer lasting relationships with people in your field that can help you find work later on. 2. Networking. This is probably the most effective way of learning who’s hiring and when. By letting people on campus know what you’re looking for in the way of work, they can be your eyes and ears for possible positions. Especially by your senior year, you should be telling everyone around what you’re majoring in, what kind of job you’re looking for and what your qualifications are. 3. Campus job fairs. These events are a great way to meet employers who are interested in hiring alumni from your school. You can learn about what kind of opportunities companies (usually near the college town community) offer. You can get a better sense of the hiring process and what employers are looking for so you can have all of your ducks in a row before you apply. You can also meet hiring managers who may be your ticket to a job and can give you inside information about the policies and procedures of hiring candidates so you will know what to expect. 4. Alumni groups. Be sure to read over copies of your school’s alumni publications so you can see what former students are doing well in your field. Track them down, ask for pointers in your job search and tips how you can successfully follow in their footsteps. Join alumni groups as soon as you can to keep reaping benefits of such networks. 5. College clubs. Service and social organizations like fraternities and sororities offer many opportunities for finding out about upcoming jobs. Sometimes these secret societies will help their members and no one else. So if you’re a member, take advantage of this system and make sure you get everything you can for those monthly dues. 6. Industry associations. By joining and participating in professional organizations that have a chapter on your campus, you get two major benefits. First, you improve your knowledge of your field of interest. Secondly, you meet people who may have contacts within the industry. You can learn which firms are hiring and find out about positions needing to be filled that are not even advertised. 7. Career development office. Counselors in this office may be able to give you the latest scoop on openings or they can refer you to resources that can. They can show you company directories that tell who hire entry-level candidates, job fair participants who will visit soon or who are always on the lookout for recent grads and actual job listings that employers have called in. 8. Internet. You can search for job postings on mega-job boards like Monster.com and Hotjobs.com or you can search for field-specific positions on industry Web sites like Mediabistro.com for professionals looking for work in the media. You can also join industry associations and find openings through them. And you can join career chat rooms to ask for advice and learn what companies may or may not be hiring soon. 9. Recruiters. Often times, recruiting agencies may not work with entry-level candidates, depending upon your qualifications and specialization, you may want to contact them because it can’t hurt. Employment agencies that are looking to fill specific positions because companies have paid them to do so will be your best bet. They may not have any work that you’re suited for but if they come across something with your name on it, then they will know where to reach you. 10. Advertisements. While this is one of the less effective ways of finding a job, it can be done. Look in classified sections of newspapers, trade journals and employment magazines to find the most opportunities. For best results, follow directions. If the ad says no faxes, send your resume via snail or e-mail. Do not waste your time answering any ad that says you have to pay a fee. . Top Ten Ways to Find Job Leads (FREE) This free topic gives you a good idea of sources of job leads you need to explore. As a college. job marketplace, you need to be prepared. This guide is a great source of useful and effective information to give you a great start Top Ten Ways to