Active vs. Traditional Job Search Methods

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Active vs Traditional Job Search Methods

The TRADITIONAL JOB SEARCH METHOD involves such strategies as looking in the want ads, searching through help wanted notices on bulletin boards, going to employment agencies, and applying for jobs in the personnel office of companies. All these traditional methods involve a person reacting to a job that has already been publicly offered.

The ACTIVE JOB SEARCH METHOD does not involve waiting until the job is advertised. It involves techniques that lead to jobs being offered before they are publicly advertised. Instead of techniques, this job search method is more a state of mind.

TRADITIONAL - Advantages ACTIVE - Advantages
Provide a familiar structure. Allows one to find about unadvertised jobs.
Applicants who look very good on paper have an edge. De-emphasizes comparison with others--emphasizes skills and abilities of individual.
People with interest and skills that fit standard positions have an edge. Allows potential employees to find out about potential employers.
  Allows applicants to create jobs using their unique skills.
  More than 70% of job seekers who use this method find jobs.
TRADITIONAL - Disadvantages ACTIVE - Disadvantages
Less than 30% of job seekers find jobs using this method. Unfamiliar to many job seekers.
Emphasis on fitting person to job not the job to a person. Requires time and energy.
People who want to use a unique or unusual blending of skills rarely find positions this way. Requires assertiveness and a take charge attitude.