It’s an addictive time suck spiral spending most of your job search time on job boards. This is how it starts: The enticing idea of sending your credentials online to instantly receive an interview appeals to your sense of wanting immediate gratification with low risk of direct rejection. But what ends up happening for most people is a slow, draining process of rejection-less rejection. Instead of being told “no,” you are told nothing.  No replies.

Or computerized “thanks but no thanks” emails that came seconds after you submitted your application (that took 45 minutes to submit) that you know a human didn’t write.

It’s like putting another five-pound weight on your chest, which at first isn’t so bad. But after your 33rd response-less rejection, well, 33 times five pounds on your chest starts to suffocate your soul.

That’s why it’s important to look for open jobs outside job boards. And they exist… in abundance.

But if you are looking for an Insta-Easy Employment Button to find and apply to these jobs, know that your efforts will probably be fruitless. Anything that is “Insta-Easy” to apply to is going to have hundreds, if not thousands, of people applying and you may not even get eyeballs on your resume.

If you are willing to do the work that almost no one else wants to do, and it works, then here are some tips.

7 ways to find jobs openings not on job boards:

1. Check with your college alumni network.  Often times this can lead to connections that can bring forth new opportunities that can lead to your next job.  You already have something in common, so it can be easier to do.  Networking with those you already know helps.

2. Search for corporate alumni where you used to work and connect with those new individuals. Once again, since you have something in common, this can work to your benefit. Make this a regular task of your job searching and you’ll be amazed at the new connections you can achieve.

3. Reach out to the majority of your LinkedIn contacts. You most likely have over 500 connections. Use them.  Just remember – keep it professional yet personal.  See if you can relate to something they’ve written or the job they do to increase your chances of building a solid relationship.  You want to be professional in how you respond, but personal so it doesn’t feel so much of an inconvenience or sales pitch to them.

4. Explore business news stories. Where there is smoke, there is fire. If a company launches a new business, there is often hiring happening to support it. If a company downsizes, believe it or not, that creates opportunities. Position yourself as a solution and reach out.

5. Research industry conferences and conventions—whether you attend or not, there are nuggets of opportunity to capitalize on here.  Get familiar with the major ones in your industry and do your due diligence to make connections.

6. Look up educational and career/professional development events. People who grow and stick together help each other. Do your research to find these, but also reach out to others in your industry to get ideas.  Simply ask them what events they plan on attending in the near future.

7. Find professional association members – Members normally take care of each other. So join these groups, but do more than just joining them, get active. That’s the best way to get noticed and build solid connections.

There are many other ways to find unpublished jobs and stay off job boards, but these are the most important. And all will require you to get your resume updated and in order. You can look for interview-generating resume templates we designed to prepare yourself in the best way possible.

Get off the job board hamster wheel and start doing the steps listed above to generate better results.

 

Lisa Rangel, Founder and Managing Director of https://chameleonresumes.com/ LLC (a Forbes Top 100 Career Website), is a Certified Professional Resume Writer, Job Landing Consultant & 13-year Recruiter. Lisa is also a paid moderator for LinkedIn’s Premium Career Group, which has 1,300,000+ members. Chameleon Resumes reviews the goals of each client to ensure career documents serve their goals while meeting the needs of the prospective employers.