5 Creative Ways To Find A Job

Many people struggle to find a job, failing to work their way out of the rut that they're in. It's not your fault, though. In today's competitive market, it isn't enough just to be good at what you do; employers are demanding that you know how to market yourself too. That takes creativity and initiative—not traits associated with most unemployment-stricken folk.

But fear not! If you’re having trouble finding a job and need help getting back on your feet, we've got some creative ways for you to make an introduction of your own! These approaches won't guarantee success by any means, but they might just land you an interview if nothing else.

1. The 'Hail Mary' Approach

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a “hail mary”? If football is your jam, then you've probably heard the term used to describe a hail mary pass—a last-ditch, dramatic attempt to score before the game is over. If you're looking for work and you're not having any luck with traditional methods (employment ads and recruiters), then why not try throwing a hail mary of your own?

You can send off an unsolicited resume, or even just send an email introducing yourself to a potential employer. This approach is best suited for smaller businesses (think mom-and-pop shops and other small operations) that may be more likely to accept unsolicited applications. Of course, you don't want to do this unless there's a specific job you're interested in—unless your expectations are exceedingly low, this type of unorthodox approach probably won't get you very far.

2. The 'Ask Around' Approach

Remember how you got your last job? You probably either heard about it from a friend or went through an agency like Beyond Staffing . Maybe the same thing will happen this time around; maybe someone you know is looking for someone to fill an open position they haven't advertised yet. If so, they could use your help.

If you've done your research and know a lot about a particular position, approach the hiring manager anyway! A quick conversation will give you enough insight to find out whether you're the right fit for that job.

3. The 'Wait For It' Approach

The infamous wait-for-it-scenario is in full swing. That friend of yours who's always looking for a job has sprung into action, and now they've landed an interview with the company that's just posted the latest job opening. You have plenty of time to wait—but you also have plenty of time to pick up this old copy of Jooble magazine (yes, we're talking about Google Reader , but hey).

You can use that time to read up on the job description and get to know the company. That way, you'll be able to steer the conversation in a direction that shows you're interested in their business. Tell them why you want this job, and go into detail about the skills that set you apart from other candidates.

4. The 'Reach Out' Approach

Maybe you've never owned an issue of Jooble , but you're still interested in learning more about a particular company—so you do some research online instead. You find out that this company is looking for an inventory manager with excellent communication skills, so you send your resume off in hopes of getting an interview.

This approach is similar to the subscribe-and-wait strategy, but in this case you're using the web to your advantage. Even if you don't get an interview right away, it's a good idea to learn as much about a company as possible. You can pick up on key trends and phrases that determine the company's strengths and weaknesses.

5. The 'Take A Risk' Approach

Let's face it—you're going to have to take some risks if you want to get out of your current funk and into a job you'll love (and actually enjoy going to every day). While the approaches above are worth considering, the last one really takes the cake.

You could try sending a resume, cover letter, and a list of references to a company you'd like to work for. However, it's advisable that you take it one step further and actually place a phone call to their HR department (if they even have one). This is where things get tricky; if you don't sound as confident as possible and make some general mistakes, then there's no way that you're getting an interview.

So what do you say? What approach will you take? We hope this article has helped give you some ideas about how to find work. Let us know in the comments section below!

Brought to you by: Beyond Staffing

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About Beyond Staffing Coaching Solutions Inc.:

Beyond Staffing is a leading Resource & Employment Solutions firm based in Mississauga, ON Canada. We specialize in Recruitment and Strategic HR Consulting. We are committed to providing the best staffing services and turn around times at the most affordable rates. Our dedication to excellence has led us to be recognized as one of Canada's top resources for quality staffing solutions. We are one of only two Canadian firms recognized as a Blue Ribbon Employer by the City of Toronto.

To learn more about Beyond Staffing and its employment services, visit http://www.beyondstaffing.ca. For more information about the author of this article, click here .

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About the Author: Lauren Mack , Contributing Writer at Beyond Staffing Coaching Solutions Inc.

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