Read the newspaper to find a job, but not just the classified ads.
It used to be the newspaper was the first place you went when you wanted to look for a job. site But that isn’t the case today. There are only a few help wanted ad in the classified section now. I wouldn’t suggest you disregard the classified, but don’t rely on it for your next job. Use it in conjunction with other resources.
However, there is more information for job searchers in the newspaper. You can use your local newspaper, the Wall Street Journal, your local Business Journal or any other publication.
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.
The 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 job 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 read 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 anxiety. 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 than the daily edition. 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.
