People on the move

... From Biz2Biz NWA June/July 2009

By Gretchen Laffoon/ 
Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce

Looking for a job or a career change? You can’t beat the traditional method of looking for a job –good old-fashioned classified ads. This tried and true method will never go out of style for job-hunting locally, but there are many ways to find your next big career move.

• Go viral. Social networking sites such as LinkedIn are perfect “fishing” holes for tech-savvy recruiters and a good place for you to connect and get noticed. Recruiters may use these pages to glean tidbits about a candidate’s demeanor, so be careful what you put on your profile. Keep it professional. Think of your profile as on-line resume and heed the warning that “Google never forgets.”

• Enlist the pros. Area staffing agencies are excellent resources for unadvertised positions. Since many NWA offices in the vendor/supplier community don’t have HR departments, they rely heavily on agencies to seek and screen applicants. These professionals strive to place the best and brightest. You can trust they’ll work hard on your behalf.

• Work your network. As much as 25% of positions are never advertised outside the firm. Some companies even offer referral incentives to their staff. Attend area networking groups with your resume or job-seeker card in hand. Let your neighbors, colleagues and friends know you are seeking employment.

• Go global. Job search websites can really get you out there. Some sites are industry specific. Some, like NWA NationJob Network, which is sponsored and accessed through all five area Chambers, is a hub for local and regional jobs. Almost all let you sign up for email alerts when new jobs are posted. You can use the Internet to research potential employers before your interview.

• Shop the job fairs. Get face time with recruiters, tap the enthusiasm, and follow up with the companies participating in the fair. You can tell a lot about a company from one of these events, especially which ones are growing!

• Be your own boss. Turn your expertise into entrepreneurship. From franchise to consulting, you’re in good company. Resources from area chambers, small business development centers, and programs like SCORE can lend a hand to help you get started.

• Stay in the know. Keep your competitive edge with the business pages of area newspapers and magazines. You may read about someone you know, an owner or manager of a business expanding or adding a new product line. You’ll be ahead of the game if you get your resume in before positions are advertised.

• Keep the faith. A positive attitude is essential. Keep in mind that your search will have a happy ending.

Gretchen Laffoon is the Workforce & Small Business Director at the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce. Contact the Chamber at 479-636-1240 or Gretchen at gretchen@rogerslowell.com.