Job Search in the USA
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Finding a job in the USA can be a challenge, especially if you don’t know where to start. Different countries offer different platforms to find a job. You need to know which ones to use in the United States to increase your chances. And here is how…
Job Boards
One of the most popular ways to look for jobs in the United States is Job Boards such as Glassdoor.com, Indeed.com, and Monster.com.
One of the main recommendations we want to share is to search for keywords rather than a specific job title.
For example, if you are looking for a Marketing Manager job you will achieve a lot more hits if you look for “Marketing” rather than “Marketing Manager” or “Software” instead of “Software Engineer” etc.
I realized that applicants get a lot more results if you use that Search strategy.
Professional websites such as LinkedIn.com are becoming more popular in this country as well.
LinkedIn is one of the main platforms employers use to Headhunt for Professionals in niche jobs as well.
The key is to create an appealing profile reflecting on your experience and upload a professional picture of yourself.
Uploading a regular cell phone picture (or even worse: cutting out other people that are in the picture with you) is perceived as unprofessional and should not be used if you are serious about landing a job through this portal.
Additionally, there are a lot of local Professional Organizations that meet up for networking events in your area.
Simply do a search on “Professionals in Texas” or any other location you currently reside in!
Joining these groups is usually free and a great way to network, share information and experiences or spreading the word of you looking for a job opportunity in a specific field.
Taking Initiative
If you are favoring a specific company that you would like to work for, I always recommend visiting the company’s website and click on their “Career” tab to check if there are any job opportunities that you are interested in.
Some major companies do not share their job opportunities on job boards, so this is a strategy worth looking into.
Do you already know what company you would love to work for?
If you have a good idea of where you would like to work but can’t find any job posts on their website, it is a great idea to send out a Speculative Application (also called Initiative Application). This will increase your chances of being contacted once the company has a job opening.
This strategy is especially successful if you work in a less competitive field (such as Architecture, Design, etc.). It doesn’t hurt trying!
Other possibilities to consider!
If you specifically look for government jobs or to work on a military installation you can use job boards such as Usajobs.gov, NAF jobs or specific State Career websites.
Great news: If you would like to work for the government, but you aren’t a US Citizen, you look into NAF Jobs since they accept non-US Citizens, too! You can find NAF Jobs here or by typing in “NAF” in the search box in Usajobs.gov.
Lastly, if you have a special skill that you would like to offer to the public (which can be for both individuals and companies) you can utilize Freelancer sites such as Upwork or Fiverrs.
Here you can simply create a profile, include your work experience and skills and upload a professional picture. Freelancers usually receive assignments that can vary from a one- day job, hourly jobs all the way to projects that can take several months.
If you are looking for flexible side gigs rather than a full-time job, this is a great way to earn some extra cash. Also, many professionals use this as a way to make extra cash on top of their regular job as well.
We personally love and recommend this Ebook- Guide by Steve Dalton to help you become an expert on searching and finding great jobs to apply for in the United States. You may be in a job field (Chemist, etc.) where you don’t have a lot of competition and you may not need any help with this.
BUT, if you are in a job field that is more competitive (for example administrative, business, medical, IT, and more), this E-book Guide is perfect for you to find the right jobs you are looking for!
Keeping it old school – other ways of finding a job in the USA
Oh and— let’s not forget the good old local Newspapers and paper flyers in your grocery store. This may be old school, but it never hurts to give it a chance!
The last thing that crossed our mind is Craigslist.com. You can find anything on Craigslist. Things to buy, things to sell and also: Jobs!
This site is being used less and less for the purpose of finding jobs, but again- it never hurts to check it out!
Now, before you send out your application, you will need to know what a resume and cover letter usually look like and how to make sure you get the Recruiter’s attention and land an interview.
Want to be successful in your next steps? Read:
American Resumes and How to Land an Interview
Your first day at work in the USA
How to Finally Get a Job Offer in the USA & Avoid Common Mistakes