Check Out These Unique Sources to Find Jobs

Thanks to the Internet, you have tons of options to try to find jobs. You have job boards, job aggregators, individual company websites, social media and recruiters with an online presence. Job leads don't necessarily have to come from technological innovations that everyone plugs into on a daily basis. Check out these unexpected sources for finding your next step in the career ladder.

Previous Co-Workers

You probably have some previous co-workers in your network. Reach out to the people you trust to see if they know of any job leads. Your former colleagues might have jumped up to a higher position since you last saw them a few years ago, so do not be afraid to give them a shout through email or social media. Other former co-workers might be in different departments that worked closely with yours, therefore these people would know what types of jobs are opening soon.

Previous Supervisors

The same concept works for previous supervisors who have moved onto another company or a higher position. Former bosses also know any job leads in their own department or in adjacent departments. A former manager might also know someone higher up who can hire you. A supervisor also deals with human resources and hiring managers on a regular basis. If you feel comfortable calling your former boss, he may be a great resource.

Companies You've Tried Before

Just because you failed to get an interview or a job at one company, that does not mean you cannot try again. The employer might have a job that's a better fit for your qualifications now that several months or years have passed.

Video Resumes

You might not submit a video resume as a way to stand out from the crowd, but you can post a classy one- or two-minute video outlining your experience, accomplishments and qualifications. The video should be high quality and reflect your personal brand as it relates to the job description and the type of work you want. Every time you submit a resume, include the link to the video. Post the link to your social media profiles so HR managers can see your personal brand in a nontraditional format. Generate passive job leads simply by having a video and letting it exist on YouTube; once you do the work, anyone can view it at any time.

Career Coaches

Consider hiring a career coach to help you fine-tune your resume, pinpoint your strengths and show you how to improve your interview skills. A career coach could also have a connection to someone who's hiring.

Alumni Associations

College alumni associations help classmates stay in touch with each other. These groups also hold networking events. You never know when one of your college buddies or college schoolmates can put you in touch with job leads.

Newspapers

Believe it or not, traditional newspapers offer unexpected sources for leads. Because of lower readership in papers, you might have an edge over the competition. A newspaper can also illuminate any current news about an issue within an employer's industry that you can use to your advantage in an interview.

Job leads can come from anywhere and at any time. Tap into as many resources as possible and as efficiently as possible so thaf you stay on top of your next career move.

Photo courtesy of Ben Tesch at Flickr.com