How to Find the Best Job Leads

Searching for gainful employment can be very time consuming. After you have scoured the classifieds, online job centers and the local unemployment office, you may feel stuck. Many times we overlook our most promising sources for gaining new employment.

Below are 3 tips to find your dream job.

The List.

Who do you know? Make a list of 50 - 100 people that live in your local area. This list should include neighbors, relatives, family friends, acquaintances, previous work colleagues, and professional associates. Think of any activity that you do socially. Church or spiritual groups, clubs, anyone you have met at places you spend your free time. Your dentist, doctor, nail manicurist, your child's teacher, the waitress at your favorite restaurant. People, who may know your name, but know your face. This could be the barista at your local coffee shop, who knows your order.

Ask, and you shall receive.

Organize your list. Write down each person's name, phone number, or where you know you can go and see them. Set aside some time to contact everyone on your list. Speak with them; ask them how they are doing. See what is going on different in their lives. Let them know that you looking to make a career move. Share the type of position you are interested in. Get a referral. Ask if they know anyone who is in this field? Ask if they know of any company that is hiring. Ask them to keep you in mind, and get in touch with you if they hear of something becoming available.

Contact Information.

Make it easy for this person to contact you. Have some business cards made for your self. These business cards do not have to be fancy, or expensive. The cards should state your profession, and the services you can offer a potential employer or a client. www.vistaprint.com

You can also print out your own, by using inexpensive business card stock. This paper can be found at office supply stores and is 2 inches by 3 ½ inches. Free templates for your business cards can be found at www.printfree.com/Business_Cards.htm .

Include an email address and phone number. If you do not have a reliable message phone, consider a free voicemail service. www.j2.com

This will give you a reliable way to receive phone messages. Sign up for a free email account.

www.aol.comwww.gmail.comwww.yahoo.com

Using your name in the email address is professional. joesmith@emailprovider.com Avoid using your personal email address; it might not project the professional image you want to reflect. Such as partyanimal365@emailprovider.com

Do not give up, during your job search. Remember that people, are sometimes your greatest resource for making changes in your life. Be sure to follow up with your friends, family, and associates. Thank them for genuinely trying to help you. When you do land your new job, be sure to call and send emails, or hand written thank you cards to the people on your list. Send the people on this list, an annual Christmas or Birthday card, or call them. This list is an invaluable resource to finding out things about your city, or a topic that you know nothing about. Simply asking, can take hours off your search for information, or get you to a person who has the information that you need.