Whāia te iti kahurangi ki te tūohu koe me he maunga teitei.
Seek the treasure you value most dearly: if you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain.
This whakataukī talks about setting your sights high, being persistent and not letting obstacles prevent you from reaching your goals. The same applies to your career and in particular your job search.
There are lots of ways to search for work and we recommend a strategy that includes a variety of approaches.
The obvious websites like Seek and TradeMe are just way one to find work. Also think about making well researched speculative approaches, networking, using LinkedIn, recruitment agencies, internships and social media in your job hunting.
How to Search for Jobs
You’ll need to dedicate time to finding work. It requires a proactive and determined approach. It’s easy to get disheartened if you don’t find work straight away. Keep going and persistence will pay off!
A few tips to get you started:
- Don’t always focus on job titles – work out the kind of tasks you’re looking to undertake and include these words in your searches.
- Keep your mind open and your search of companies very broad. Organisations offer a range of jobs and these may not always be in line with our expectations. For example, the Fire Service may need an event organiser, an accountant, office manager etc.
- Set up a system – get notifications of new jobs from TradeMe etc., keep files of all your research and keep your important documents handy.
- Keep up to date. LinkedIn is especially good for this, but you can also read business publications, trade articles, relevant social media pages and kōrero with those ‘in the know’.
- Talk to us! We can help you make a plan.
The Hidden Job Market?
The phrase “hidden job market” applies to jobs that aren’t advertised or posted online. It’s believed that up to 60- 70% of job vacancies are never advertised, but they’re not really hidden. These jobs are only hidden to those who do not seek out opportunities.
Some employers choose to rely on recommendations from their network. Internships are another way companies fill positions that often turn in to full-time, regular work. So how can you access this market?
- Seek an internship opportunity.
- Networking – proactively build relationships with key people/decision makers.
- Attend industry events – regularly.
- Share your career aspirations and communicate them clearly within your network – don’t wait for jobs to be advertised.
Jobs Advertised for Toi Ohomai Students
Employers looking for staff, volunteers, apprentices advertise on our Job Board.
LinkedIn for Networking and Job Search
LinkedIn is a popular online community of professionals. All industries are represented and it should be part of your job search strategy. It’s an essential part of the hidden job market – recruiters and HR departments use it to find their future talent.
LinkedIn is a great way to build your reputation and network with peers.
You can apply for jobs directly from LinkedIn too. Explore the features by clicking on the briefcase icon – fill out the fields and set it up to send you relevant listing notifications.
Create a profile, keep it up-to-date, engage with relevant individuals and groups, follow influencers.