There are many ways to find a job but one, an overlooked method, is a temporary or permanent placement firm.
I recommend you find a search firm that specializes in your area so you can develop a relationship with a recruiter.
A recruiter can help you in several ways. They can give you a synopsis of the latest developments in your field because they are in the trenches sorting out the changes, day in and day out.
Hopefully, they know of a permanent opening they can refer you to, and everyone lives happily ever after. And even if they don’t have a fitting opening, they can sometimes suggest a temporary position.
A temporary role can help you keep your skills sharp, keep your resume fresh and introduce you to people you can add to your network while earning some money.
I am always surprised that a large number of people that work temporary jobs get hired permanently, as both company and candidate get a chance to try before they buy.
Working temp also gives you a birds-eye view into a company and an industry you where you may have no experience. Temp work is good in some job markets like admins or computer techs better than others, but placement firms do not charge fees to candidates (and if they tell you they do, go somewhere else).
A good search firm is a worthwhile compliment to your job campaign and yet another piece of the job-hunting puzzle.
So, what is the best way to find a recruiter? Check with companies in your field that use recruiters to get a referral and find a specialist. Your LinkedIn connections can be invaluable in finding a good recruiter in your field.
Another option is to simply approach a corporate recruiter that is advertising on LinkedIn for a referral. Or put up a LinkedIn post saying you are looking for an executive recruiter in your area. You’ll be surprised by the number of responses you get.
One candidate I worked with years ago kept in touch and reached out a couple of months back and asked my opinion on whether this would be a good time to change jobs. I told her if she was my sister, I would advise she take a step back and look at the economy and the trajectory of her industry before she makes a move. There is no charge for advice and counsel from recruiters so go hire yourself a search firm. It’s free.
More next week. Happy Hunting!