It doesn't matter why, but since you're here on the JobCircle site, you must have some interest in checking out the IT employment marketplace.  Good news!  The market's terrific!  But you knew that, didn't you?  So what else do you know about starting a job search?  Besides using JobCircle and the Internet, that is.

News You Can Use

The classified advertisements are a tried and true way to further your job hunt.  Many people rely only on the ads in the paper, which is a common mistake.  The rule of thumb is that only 10% of all available openings are in the paper.  This means that many more opportunities exist outside of what you can discover in the Sunday classifieds. 

But don't ignore them.  I think of the classifieds as my window to the marketplace.  They're one of my best sources for information.  Beyond learning that KPMG is looking for folks who can do SAP implementations and that Penn State needs a system administrator for its business department, I get a feel for what's hot and what's not. 

Reading the classified section tells you a lot about trends in hiring.  A big display ad tells you that the company has lots of money to spend and establishing itself as a player in the IT marketplace is important.  Or, that they really, really, really need the kind of people they're advertising for. This lets you know that they are likely to be serious about hiring. 

On the other hand, a little three-line ad tells you that the company is small and doesn't have as much budget to spend on recruiting.  Or, it tells you that the company in question doesn't value IT as much as other business elements.  Or that they're new to IT and don't know enough about IT to compose an ad that would be enticing to you, the job seeker.  There's lots of room for interpretation.  And lots of information about salaries, benefits, working conditions and other goodies. 

By reading the ads - all of the ads - you can get a very good picture of what is happening locally.  Don't just read the ads that pertain to a narrow job category.  Many ads are composed by people who don't know much about IT job titles and your dream job may be misidentified.  So read all of the ads in the technology section.  And don't forget to skim the regular classified section too.  You'll find a scattered assortment of computer-related jobs there too.

Headhunters and Placement Agencies

My friend Bob gets antsy every 18 months or so and decides that a new situation is in order.  He picks up the phone, calls his friendly headhunter and says, "It's time.  I want to work no more than ½ hour away from Valley Forge and I need at least six figures.  You know what I can do.  Call me with some alternatives." 

This is one option, and it works for Bob.  He's experienced, picky and represents a fat commission to the headhunter.  It's a win-win for both of them.  Bob is spared most of the grunt work of job searching and the recruiter has a solid candidate to present to his client company.  It's like the agent you might use to search the web.  But there are trade-offs here.

No one will look after your interests like you will.  It's in the recruiter's interest to make a good match, so both you and the company are happy, but the headhunter is looking to score the fee for the placement.  Quickly, if possible.  The agency rep is friendly, but not necessarily your friend.

To maximize the effectiveness of your search, a headhunter or placement agency may be a good choice for you.  They shortcut identification of possibilities, give you much better background information about employers and help to move the hiring process along more rapidly.  On the other hand, if you turn down the first few opportunities that the rep offers you, he/she may decide that you're too difficult to deal with and stop calling.  It's in your best interest to be very specific about what you are looking for. 

If you use a headhunter or agency, you'll probably be asked to sign a placement agreement.  Some groups ask for exclusivity (that you will only use their company and no other placement organization).  Nearly all will require that if you leave the company where you are hired within a given period of time (anywhere from three months to a year, generally), you will be required to refund all or part of the placement fee to the agency.  Some places will try to extend their control over your employment with firms with which they have relationships, demanding a placement fee even if you contacted the company on your own. 

If you sign the contract, you will be responsible.  So this is for real, no kidding.  Think carefully about the ramifications before you sign.  You get help, but there are potential costs as well.  By the way, avoid anybody who wants you to pay them a fee for finding you a job.  It's legit, but unnecessary.  Career counseling firms are a different story, but that's another column.

Career Fairs

Can't seem to go two weeks without one anymore.  Almost the equivalent of singles bars for jobseekers.  Do you really need another Frisbee?  No, really, there's more to job fairs than aimless wandering or ten minutes of pointless conversation with a clueless staff recruiter.

Career fairs are another excellent way to test the water.  Good companies send tech people as well as employment reps. With any luck, you'll actually be able to learn something about the organization, what it is trying to do and whether it's a place you might want to work.  If the company has sent someone who doesn't know anything about technology, you can ask for the name of the person who would be in charge of the group you'd be interested in. 

Be able to explain what you want to do in layperson's terms.  As you've no doubt experienced, non-IT people can be remarkably unaware of the differences between IT occupations.  Be patient and pleasant.  Sarcasm or irritation will not endear you to the person behind the table, who will have some say over your future there, whether you think so or not.  Wish I had a dollar for every "You wouldn't believe the jerk I talked to last night" story I've heard.  There are lots of nice people with good skills too.

Here's my hot tip for career fairs: Practice.  They are an outstanding opportunity for you to refine your three-minute speech about how wonderful you are.  Try it out on some companies you aren't interested in before you hit up the ones you like.  You'll definitely improve after the first two or three times and it's a great way to work out any jitters.

More

Networking is one of the best ways to job search, but we'll have to save it, since I've run out of space.  Next month, Job Seeker, Know Thyself.  Can't find job satisfaction until you know what will make you happy.  E-mail me at jamie@jobcircle.com with your questions, comments and stories.  Later. 

Editor's Note: JobCircle is excited to introduce Jamie Fabian to the JobCircle team.  Jamie will be authoring a new monthly column exclusively on JobCircle!

Enjoy this article?  Read more of JobCircle.com's Career Coach articles.

Jamie Fabian spent more than 15 years as a human resources executive before changing careers to become a senior project manager for a growing IT consulting company.  Now in management consulting for a large Pharma company, Jamie would like to be seen as a hybrid of Tom Peters, Tom Jackson, and Tom Wolfe, but spends too much time working, driving carpool and watching mindless TV to write more than this column.  You can contact Jamie with questions and comments at jamie@jobcircle.com.