Option D: All of the above
One of my clients recently asked if she should focus on networking, identifying employers of interest, or looking at job boards, like Indeed. "Yes!" I replied. It's not an either/or answer. An effective job search strategy, especially for someone who is changing careers or returning to paid work, requires a multi-pronged effort.
Networking. It might feel weird contacting someone who is just a friend of a friend and asking if you can talk with them about their work. But, think about it this way: what's the worst thing that can happen? They can say no or they can just not respond. On the scale of things, that probably ranks low in difficult outcomes. Most will say yes. The point of networking is to learn about an employer, a career path, or how to find out about job openings at the company. Most of us are happy to talk about ourselves and our careers, and, if we have time, enjoy sharing information with interested people. Many of us know that several of our best hires came from people who once did "information interviews" with us. Be specific in your request ("Would you have 20 minutes for a Zoom chat?"), respectful of your contact's time (show up!), and diligent in thanking them.
Identifying employers. This ties into networking, but it's important to understand why this matters. Companies want employees who are enthusiastic about the company and who are not just looking for any job. If you have a dream employer, or better yet, several, spend some time getting to know the Human Resources or People Ops team, or anyone you may have a connection with at that company. Let them know your skills and your interest so that when the right job comes up you have a relationship already. Don't apply to just any job at the company, but build relationships there. If it's a nonprofit and you can volunteer in some way, try that. It may mean a longer road to finding the job that you want, but if the employer interests you, it's worth putting in the time and effort.
Checking job boards. Keep looking at these, of course, and applying for relevant jobs as they arise. Indeed, Idealist,LinkedIn are all popular places for job listings. But, check out boards specific to your area. For instance, in Maine, the Maine Association of Nonprofits has a robust list of openings at the mission-driven organizations in our state. Most states have a similar type of nonprofit job board. WorkWider and The Mom Project have listings that I refer to as well. And FlexJobs has remote-only options. Remind yourself that applying for a job does not mean you will accept the job. You are expressing interest as an applicant. Like the potential employer, you need to learn more. Applying is just the first step.
