Looking for a Job in Southern California? Five Ways to Supercharge Your Job Search!

Looking for a job is rarely easy, and in busy southern California, the competition can be fierce.  Whether you’re just setting foot into the job market or have been looking for your next career move for some time, try these five ways to supercharge your job search and find the results you’re looking for.

  1. Ask everyone. “Networking” means more than merely shaking hands and passing out business cards.  Your network includes everyone you know and chat with – family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and even your hairstylist.  If you’re like many Southern California residents, your network isn’t even restricted to people you see in everyday life: it also includes friends and acquaintances you stay connected to online, via social media sites like Facebook and LinkedIn or by email or Skype. Don’t be afraid to let people know you’re looking for work and what your core skills are.  Your next job opportunity could come from the person you least expect.
  2. Learn. Going back to school offers two benefits: it helps you earn a degree, specialization, or certification that may open job-search doors for you, and it demonstrates that even when you’re not employed full time, you are sufficiently passionate and self-motivated to keep working and learning in your career area.  Going back to school doesn’t have to mean enrolling in college; also consider certification or licensing courses, continuing education seminars, and other pathways to knowledge.
  3. Hop online. LinkedIn is the premier social networking site devoted exclusively to the working world.  Use LinkedIn to expand your network, learn more about your career field, connect with other passionate professionals, and seek job openings.  Employers often post open positions on the site, and LinkedIn’s detailed resume-like format allows you to keep your information updated with ease and send it to prospective employers in an instant.  While you’re on the site, consider joining in the conversation with community groups that focus on your career or skills.  You’ll be expanding your network and sharing knowledge about your field.
  4. Develop your brand. Take some time to think about what you bring to a job.  Consider your strengths, your skills, and your personal values.  Are you particularly good at finding programming “bugs,” or do you find it easy to motivate a team to do its best work?  What parts of working do you love the most, and what appeals about them?  Distill these notes into a list of three to five top skills and traits, and use them to develop a ten-second pitch that captures who you are and what you offer employers.
  5. Work with a recruiter. Recruiters supercharge your job search in several ways.  They go through your resume and your interview skills thoroughly, suggesting improvements based on their expertise in the hiring world.  They also tap into an extensive network of employers in your field to match you to a job that fits not only your work skills, but also your personal values.  Your recruiter can even give you tips on the best way to leverage your online presence for job search success.

At Marquee Staffing, our experienced recruiters go the extra mile when it comes to matching job candidates to top positions in Southern California.  To learn more about our services, contact our office today!

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