Arleen Bradley Career Coaching

Yes, even the crossword puzzle can help job searchers

Yesterday I learned how to read a newspaper.  Well actually I learned how a job searcher should read a newspaper to find information about job searching.  And no, it wasn’t the classified ads. 

Specifically, I learned how to read the Boston Business Journal from one of their audience development managers, Washawn Jones.  The information she shared started me thinking about other newspapers.  I didn’t learn anything new, but had an aha moment when I realized how the information in a newspaper can help job searchers.

Reading your local newspaper as a job searcher is different from reading the newspaper for the news.  Instead of reading the paper looking for sports scores, comics, deaths, and classifieds, there is information about what’s going on in companies right in your own backyard. 

Companies like to announce their good news. Companies with good news are companies that are doing well.  You may want to check out these companies for openings.  Good news includes new products, new customers, new locations, new contracts and such.  They will announce promotions and new hires.  The bigger the ads they take out, the better they are doing.   You may learn about companies that you didn’t know existed.

Newspaper can help you network in two ways.  Many companies encourage community involvement.  Pictures of their employees at local events often appear in the newspaper with names and titles.  You can learn about what projects companies are interested in and join in at the events.  Volunteering is a great way to get a job.  Organizations holding networking events will announce the time and place in the newspaper.

You may be following your targeted companies for your next position to learn what they are up to.  But are you following their stock performance? 

You will also find out about companies you want to avoid for a variety of reasons.  You may learn about some unethical practices, products/services you don’t want to be associated with, or their financial situation.   Layoffs, poor business practices, and other troubles find their way into the newspaper.  You can ignore these companies. 

If you have been reading my blog posts, you know that I am interested in the job searcher as well as the job search process.  One of the things I talk about is using humor to help with job search stress.  Reading the comics will offer a temporary respite from the stress.  Doing the puzzles will keep your mind off your job search for a short while.

Your local library has copies of your local, regional and specialty newspapers.  You can read several newspapers in one visit.  Sunday editions are usually larger and have more stories and advertisements.  Most newspapers have a business section where you can find business news in one place.

And yes, newspapers still have help wanted sections.  The job you want may be there waiting for you to find it.  Before you know it, you will only need the newspaper for the crossword puzzle.

Are you using a newspaper in your job search?  Tell us how your are using it?