Research & Networking

Careers & Classifieds Channel

Research & Networking

courtesy of Avjobs.com

As many as 8 out of 10 new jobs are obtained through some type of personal contact. Learning how to use personal contacts effectively, therefore, is crucial in your aviation job search. Networking is the process of contacting individuals who can help you in your job search either by suggesting job leads and/or giving you referrals to other people who know of job openings. Today, finding a job is a full-time job. Just like everything in life, you get out of it what you put into it. If you work part-time, it will take you longer to reach your goals. Just sending the same resume for each opportunity will not get you the interview, let alone the job.

Research

Good research on aviation employers will not only give you the competitive edge, but also help you decide which employers you want to reach and which strategies you will use to contact them.

Why do Research?

To spend your time wisely.
To find out about job openings.
To learn about benefits.
To show interest and initiative.
To learn about the company.
To prepare for the interview.

Using the information in your job search:

Determine which job openings sound interesting.
Conduct your research using the tips (mentioned above)
Complete an information sheet for the job and the company for each job opening that interests you.
Compare this information with your interests, knowledge, skills, abilities, salary/fringe requirements and other needs.
Decide whether it is worth you time to apply for this job.
If the answer is "no", don't waste your time.
If the answer is "yes", go for it!

Networking

Over 80% of jobs are never advertised in the newspaper or listed on any service. Most jobs are filled before they need to be advertised or listed on any employment agency. These never advertised job openings are referred to as the "Hidden" job market.

Through networking you will:

Find out about more job openings
Obtain Names and phone numbers of other industry employers and other people to contact
Inform many employers and other people that you are looking for work
Have a "foot-in-the-door" for job openings
Discover job openings before they are advertised
Face less competition for jobs
Be more familiar to the hiring authority
Let employers and other people know what your skills and interests are

Where to obtain this information:

Avjobs Applicant Portal (Job Search Detail)
Libraries
Company Annual Reports
Company Visits
Informational Interviews
Observation of employees leaving work
Current/former employees
Newspapers
Business organizations (Chamber of Commerce, etc.)
Industry directories
Internet (company home pages)

ATW

Channels

Careers & Classifieds Channel