The Job Search

Conducting a job search in the internet age might seem easy, but it's important to remember that there are lots of different ways of doing a job search.

There is no doubt that job search websites can make finding and applying for jobs easy. You upload your CV, sign up for a few job search websites, and sit back and wait for the openings to appear in your inbox each day.

However, if you are looking for something specific, perhaps in a particular field, then many - if not all - of the jobs you might be interested in won't appear in the regular job search websites.

For example, for anyone in the teaching profession, the only place to look for positions is through the TES - the Times Educational Supplement. For decades this has been the "go-to" place for jobs in education, and it remains so to this day. Fortunately it is now available online, so you don't have to wade through the printed version unless you want to.

However, many leading papers still publish printed classifieds, and for some professions these are the best way to find a new position. The Wednesday Guardian is the place for charity jobs, while the Sunday Times always carries all the most prestigious executive positions.

The advantage of online listings is that you can use the filters to find exactly what you are looking for - however, the danger is that the filter will remove a job that might be of interest or suitable for you. When you look through the paper you can consider a much wider range of positions, looking at things that you might not at first glance think are suitable.

There are other tried and tested ways of tracking down a position that you should consider. If you are looking for a local job, you will still find your local newspaper a good source of opportunities, while for some jobs - such as retail jobs - old fashioned methods such as looking in shop windows for notices, or simply walking in and asking for an application form, can still be a productive way to find openings.

It can also pay to be proactive - write to companies that you are interested in to see if they have any vacancies, or talk to people you know. The old fashioned word of mouth is still a great way to make connections.

Additional information

Starting a new job | Job search tips | Finding the right company | What's in a job