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Source: https://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/findjobs/job-search/ Parent: https://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/options/
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Job search strategies - how to find jobs!
Whether you are looking for some work shadowing, work experience or a job, you will find that not all opportunities are advertised widely – if at all. You will need different strategies for looking for advertised and non-advertised opportunities.
In this section, we will show you how to use contacts to find opportunities and how to use sites like LinkedIn to make meaningful connections with employers. These strategies can also be used to obtain information to increase your knowledge of different career areas and routes into your desired sector.
Not all jobs are advertised in the same way
Specialist student and graduates jobsites, sector specific sites and professional body websites will help you narrow your search to the type of work and entry level you are looking for.
Some jobs will be advertised on national jobsites (but they won't necessarily all be of the same quality or looking for students/graduates).
Check recruiters' own websites, just remember that recruitment operates differently in different countries.
Some jobs especially part-time jobs may be advertised on a very local level. Just make sure you check the details carefully.
- Local community websites (facebook groups) or noticeboards, via LinkedIn and other social media.
- In shop or business windows / in store
- Word of mouth, via friends, family or contacts
Your main job hunting strategies are:
- Find an opportunity that is being advertised and apply for it. (high levels of competition)
- Be proactive: Look for jobs that are not advertised widely or at all. Find the hidden jobs!
Location, location, location
- Some jobs will require you to be located within a commutable distance to the business, so that you can attend meetings and or be located there permanently. (Check how you would travel to work, how much will it cost? Is it possible on public transport?)
- Other roles may involve a lot of travel, and you may be required to work at various locations around the UK or overseas to meet with clients or visit sites. (Is a car required? Can you get to locations easily? Do you get paid for travel time and expenses?)
- You will see jobs that mention geographic flexibility where you are based because the business has various locations. (Unless expressly stated, it may not be possible to choose your location)
- You may see roles offered as hybrid or fully remote:
- “Hybrid” normally means you will have some days where you can work from home. You will need to find out how many ‘at home’ days each week are usual, and whether there is flexibility on which days these are. You may not be able to work overseas on your ‘at home’ days depending on that company’s
- “Fully remote” may mean you never have to go to an office or only very occasionally for a group meeting, indeed your employer and colleagues may be based all around the world. This can make for difficulties with time zones, and you may need to be flexible of your working hours.
Whatever type of work you are looking for location can be a deal breaker – for both you and the employer – so read the job advertisement and the full details very carefully, and if you are in any doubt use the job contact details to enquire about location or working arrangements.
Targeted job search
The more focussed and targeted your job search, the more effective it will be. This comes down to knowing what type of job and in what sector you are interested: both will help you narrow down relevant roles, while spreading yourself too thin can make your life harder rephrase. One example might be how to use Boolean strings to look for specific jobs on google, Indeed or any other job website. A Boolean string tells a search engine what to look for rather than including everything, for instance you could type:
Graduate AND Marketing AND (remote OR hybrid)
In this example, the search would look for every job with the words Graduate, Marketing, and either remote or hybrid. The AND, OR and brackets act as instructions, telling the search engine what to look for.
You could apply this to any of your own criteria or preferences, and we have more information in the Job Hunting Life Hacks video on this page and on our YouTube channel.
Finding the hidden jobs
These jobs may not be advertised, but it doesnt mean they don't exist or there are no opportunities. Sometimes you need to ask the question and tell people what you have to offer.
- Networking: building and using your contacts and networks to find out about opportunities
- Creating a LinkedIn Profile and how to use it effectively
- Using social media and building your brand
- Making a speculative approach
Be safe
Take care when looking at vacancies or responding to approches on social media or via email offering opportunities. Unfortunately there are people and organisations who operate scams to trick you into giving them your personal details, money, or put you at risk in other ways.
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