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We’ve all heard people say that job hunting is like a job in and of itself. And, from what I’ve heard, it can be a full-time nightmare. But, we’ve all seen people who decide to change jobs and then manage to land a great position within a few weeks.

So, this made me start to wonder … why is it so easy for some people to find a job? And why do so many others have to send out countless resumes and feel rejected for months before they can find employment? Why do some people who are just as qualified as their “lucky-in-job-hunting” counterparts struggle to find jobs?

What are they doing differently?

So, I decided to take a look at what really works for people. I came up with a few job hunting tips based on what I found.

Networking: This was a big “light-bulb” moment for me. After talking with a few friends and doing some really unofficial research (mostly comprised of searching the web), I realized that people who are able to find jobs really quickly usually already have a solid network in place.

Everyone knows the old adage “it’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know.” It makes sense that people who keep in touch with other professionals automatically have a leg-up when it comes job hunting. Think about it. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could put your resume directly into the right hands?

D.I.Y. Networking
So, what about people who don’t already have a million strings to pull? The good news is that there are actually a lot of resources for creating a network of people who can potentially help you find a job.

Don’t discount your friends and family! Tell them you’re looking for a job. They know people, who know people. And, they care about you, so they’ll be likely to help you get the word out. Plus, a lot of jobs aren’t ever advertised – the only way you’ll ever hear about them is through word-of-mouth!

Join professional organizations. Lots of professions have groups that meet to network. You’ll have the chance to develop relationships with the right people who already hold jobs in companies you might be interested in joining. These organizations usually also provide helpful employment information about job listings and job placement.

Use Internet resources! Lots of job search sites have message boards. Get into conversations with other people who are trying to find employment. You can exchange job hunting tips and connect with a community of people who are all invested in a search similar to your own. There are also social networking sites like LinkedIn.com that specifically work toward connecting professionals. Use these resources – I know they’ve worked for a lot of people. You can also easily maintain these connections even after you’ve found a job. That way you’ll be one of those people who have a network in place when you need one.

Talk to schools in your area. There are probably lots of people at your college, or even your high school who can point you in the right direction. These folks know a lot of people in the community, so you might be able to tap into their network. You might find a career placement advisor who can help you find a job. You might also get advice on a program of study that could open a lot of doors for your future employment opportunities.

I know that there are tons of other effective job hunting methods out there. I’m interested in knowing what works for people. If you’ve got any job hunting advice you think might help people out, let us know!