Tired of spending hours scrolling through Seek looking for the perfect role? If you are actively job hunting you don’t need to limit your search to just the well-known platforms like Seek or Trade Me (though they are good places to start!). Here are seven other ways to find yourself a new job:

1. Your Own Networks:

Put the word out there to friends and family, make a post on your social media (but be careful doing this if your current boss doesn’t know you are looking) and don’t be shy about bringing your search up in conversation with others. The more people who know you are looking, the better your chances are of hearing about new opportunities or being referred to your next dream gig!

2. Industry Specific Job Boards:

Many people don’t realise that there are job boards dedicated to specific sectors or role types. If you haven’t come across them before, it’s certainly worthwhile taking a look. Here are just a few examples:

Do Good Jobs – Specialises in listing vacancies for not-for-profit organisations with a wide range of role types that all fall under the “doing good” category.

Te Pou – Mental health, addictions and disability based roles can be found here, not to mention a lot of great industry knowledge.

Marketing Association – As the name implies, this is the professional membership body for those working in marketing, but even if you are not a member it’s still a great place to find marketing based vacancies NZ wide.

The Big Idea – If you have an interest in the arts and creative sector, this is the place to go for related job vacancies.

FINZ – The professional body for Fundraisers, you can also find fundraising related job opportunities listed here.

Jobs.govt – Your one stop shop for vacancies in Government Agencies, Crown Entities and the State sector.

3. LinkedIn:

Anybody who works in recruitment likely spends a lot of time on LinkedIn searching and approaching people for job opportunities. However, if you are not a frequent user of the site, it can be easy to dismiss it as “Facebook for work”. If you are job hunting, having an up-to-date profile can boost your chances of being noticed by hiring managers and recruiters. LinkedIn also functions as a job board similar to Seek and will alert you to new roles that match your profile.

4. Stalking (in a good way!):

Have you always fancied yourself working for a certain brand or company? Start doing your research on your “dream” employers now! Check out their social media pages and what initiatives or news they are currently involved in. Find out what their current vacancies are and if none match your skillset, find the contact details for the appropriate manager or HR person and share your CV and cover letter with them directly.

Some advice out there encourages turning up unannounced with your CV in the hopes of impressing the boss on the spot, but we urge caution in doing this. Unless you are the world’s best salesperson, this approach can come off a little awkward for everyone involved. Plus, chances are the Manager you want to see is going to be busy anyway. If you do want to deliver your resume in person, we recommend calling ahead to make an appointment or find out if they have a preferred method of receiving CV’s.

5. Get social:

Attend events, conferences and meet-ups that are relevant or connected to your industry of choice. You never know who you might meet and what it could lead to. You don’t have to walk around with a copy of your CV in your hand, but it pays to have an electronic version ready to send just in case! Not sure what’s on? A great place to start for Wellingtonians is here, but most Local Councils have information like this available on their website so check out what’s on in your region.

6. Be approachable:

Let others do the hard work for you – send your CV to recruitment agencies letting them know what you are looking for. Update or create profiles across Seek, LinkedIn, Indeed etc so that recruiters and hiring managers can see your details online and contact you directly about opportunities.

7. Join online groups:

Facebook and LinkedIn are full of industry specific groups where people can share ideas, gripes and opportunities regarding their chosen profession. Do some online networking by finding appropriate groups to join and get involved! It’s a good way to hear about upcoming jobs before they are advertised and make important connections!

When it comes to job hunting, it’s going to take some patience but don’t be afraid to reach out – you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by doing so! If your current employer doesn’t know you are looking, keep things discreet until you are ready to have that discussion. But if you are serious about making a change, the sooner you have that talk the easier things will be for you and your search. And don’t forget the golden rule when it comes to approaching people: always keep things professional. Whether you are speaking to the Receptionist or the CEO, be polite and gracious but most of all, stay positive!

Good luck,

Kirsty and Nikki

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