• Marketing yourself for contract work
• Developing a business card
• Establishing your rate
• 1099 Contracting Essentials

Assess your basic needs and values when evaluating where you would like to work. Base your decision on which location, which type of industry/specific job function or title, and which company you think you would prefer. However, keep in mind that too many restrictions will limit your opportunities.

Research those companies: Utilize the web, library and your personal network to learn about the companies and if they align with your interests, values, and other criterion.

Look online at different job boards to get a sense of who is hiring people with your current skill set.

Once you create your list, explore your network to see who works at those companies or if they know someone that works at those companies. Your social media accounts can be a great resource to identify contacts and connections.

Here are tools to help you generate a list and begin to research your target companies (check with your local library for access to some of these databases).

• AtoZ Databases
• Hoovers
• LinkedIn company pages
• CA EDD Company lists
• Questions you may want to research for each company.
• NOVAworks’ Identifying Target Companies Workshop

A typical government hiring process might look like this:

Look for positions on government-specific job boards:

• City and County Jobs:
  • https://www.calopps.org/
  • https://abag.ca.gov/about-abag/careers/local-government-job-lists
• State of CA Employment - jobs.ca.gov
• Federal Jobs - usajobs.gov

In the application and interview process, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Pay careful attention to the supplemental questions in the application.  Write your answers in an essay format. Provide details on all your experience and skills.
• Not all government positions will have a written exam. If there is an exam, ask the recruiter for details.  They may provide general instructions but seldom provide study guides.  The exam topic will be related to the job duties listed in the job posting.
• In the interviews, assume they have not seen your resume.  Give complete answers to their questions with examples of your accomplishments.  There is a time allotment for the interview (often 30 - 45 minutes). Prepare for possible questions so that you can be succinct and have time to answer all the questions.
• If not selected, some government agencies (especially cities and counties) are often willing to provide feedback on your interview.  Call the HR department to ask if this is possible.  It can help you prepare for future government hiring.

Videos are available to guide applicants during the government hiring process. While these videos are specific to a particular city or county, they provide useful information for government hiring in general:

• Santa Clara County Job Search Tool Kit
• NOVAworks’ Targeting Government Jobs Workshop

Most companies post their job announcements online. The most common places to find job postings are on company websites, job boards, and social media. You can use any combination of these to target positions and find potential openings.

Here is a list of free job boards:

• Indeed.com
• Simplyhired.com
• Caljobs
• To find job boards tailored to your specific industry or role, use Google or an AI tool to search terms like 'job boards for [industry]' or 'best job sites for [position type]'. Create a list of the most relevant platforms that specialize in your field."

Another strategy for finding employment is to register with temporary agencies or local recruiting firms, sometimes referred to as headhunters.

Here are some tips for working with these types of agencies:

• Remember that agencies, recruiters and headhunters work for companies, not for job seekers. That is, if you happen to match a profile that the hiring company is seeking, you will be contacted. The majority of your job search remains yours.
• Work to build rapport with a recruiter. The more they get to know you, the better they can sell your skills and qualifications to an employer.
• Recruiters / headhunters can provide information on the status of an industry, company information, hiring manager expectations and ways to present your skills and experience to meet the needs of employers.
• Do not give a recruiter permission to blast your resume to employers.
• Do not pay an agency, recruiter, or headhunter. All fees should be paid for by the employer and should not impact your salary.
• Here is a list of local temporary agencies.

Job fairs provide you with an opportunity to introduce yourself to a potential employer, learn about job openings, and practice your networking skills. Preparation ahead of time is key to a successful job fair experience.

Following these tips can help you maximize your opportunities and make a strong impression at a job fair:

Before the Job Fair:

• Review the list of companies attending the fair. Research their values, job openings and recent news to help tailor your approach and questions for recruiters. Visit company websites.
• Update your Resume. Tailor your resume to the jobs you’re interested in, highlighting relevant skills and experience. Bring multiple copies of your resume.
• Keep a copy of your resume on your phone. In most job fairs today, you’ll need to scan a QR code and upload your resume from there. Make sure your resume is easy to access.
• Prepare your Summary Statement (Elevator Pitch). Develop a brief introduction to yourself (background, key skills, and what you seek in a job) and practice so you can deliver it with confidence.
• Dress professionally. First impressions count. Dress for an interview.
• Prioritize the companies you want to visit first.

During the Job Fair:

• Arrive Early. Arriving early givew you a chance to talk with recruiters before the crowds arrive.
• Be Confident and Positive. Offer a smile and firm handshake to leave a lasting impression. Network with other job seekers as well as recruiters. You may gain valuable new contacts and learn about potential opportunities.
• Ask Insightful Questions. For example, ask about company culture, growth opportunities, and the challenges in the jobs you’re interested in.
• Take Notes. Note key points from the conversation, the recruiter’s name, and any follow up actions, to help personalize your follow-up communications. Ask for the recruiter’s business card. Ask recruiters for their business card so that you can follow up.

After the Job Fair:

• Follow Up. Send a personalized thank you email to recruiters you spoke with. Remind them who you are by mentioning something specific from the conversation.
• Connect on LinkedIn. If appropriate, send a connection request, including a message referencing your conversation at the job fair.
• Reflect and Improve. Consider what went well and what you could improve for future events.
• Apply Online. Even if you gave your resume to the recruiter, apply online if they asked you to do so. This may be required to process your job application.
• Stay Organized. Track the companies you interacted with, roles discussed, and any required follow-up actions. Being organized will help you manage multiple opportunities.

Your best job search resource is the people you know. Do they know you're looking? Start reaching out and engaging with your contacts—they can provide valuable guidance.

Networking isn’t about asking for a job; it’s about seeking AIR:

• Advice – “What’s the best way to apply at your company?”
• Information – “What skills are most in demand in your field?”
• Referrals – “Do you know someone in (industry) I could connect with?”

By asking these types of questions, you gain insights, build connections, and make your job search known—without directly asking for a job.

1. Make a list of the people you know: your family, friends, coworkers, clients, and managers (review your social media accounts, email address book, and personal address book).
2. Come up with a short statement about yourself.
3. Think of a question you want to ask your contact (AIR).
4. Make contact. You can call, email, or post an update on LinkedIn.
5. Be amazed by the number of people who respond and are willing to assist you in moving forward.

Download a packet of networking tools to help you navigate the networking process.

Your direct contacts may not be hiring, but they can connect you to someone who is. Start networking today! Review local networking opportunities to get you started.

• Create a business card
• Consider joining a professional association
• Conduct an informational meeting
• Become a volunteer. Here are some places to look for volunteer opportunities:
  • VolunteerMatch
  • Idealist
  • Catchafire
  • Nonprofits or charities (food banks, shelters, youth centers)
  • Local libraries
  • Hospitals or nursing homes
  • Religious organizations
  • Local city and county government
  • Join local Facebook groups or Nextdoor communities

Do you consider yourself an introvert? Does the idea of networking cause you stress? Following are tips that can help you:

1. Think in terms of quality, not quantity: When attending an event, do not set the expectation that you need to meet a lot of people. Engaging with one or two people is a success that will most likely lead to deeper connections.
2. Ask questions: By asking questions such as “what brought you to this event?” or “how do you know the host?” opens the door to a conversation where the other person is doing most of the talking and sets the stage to a comfortable dialogue.
3. Attend events with a friend: Finding someone else to attend the event with you provides you with a familiar face and support. Going with an extroverted person also provides you with someone to initiate conversations that you can then join.
4. Put your phone away: Your phone can give you the perfect excuse to not engage with others. Also, if you look busy others will not approach you. The point of going to a networking event is to meet people. So make yourself available.
5. Use social media tools: Successful networking is not always about being in front of someone and having an in-person conversation. Posting articles, questions, and responses to social media sites is a way to engage and share your expertise. This can open the door to successful networking.

A short video introduction can help others understand the value you bring to an organization and give them a glimpse of who you are as a person.  Sharing the video with recruiters and your network will increase interest in talking to you about job openings. Watch this video for tips on making a video introduction.

• Create a strong profile that markets your skills and work history.
• Use LinkedIn groups to target industry-specific positions. Often recruiters or hiring managers will post openings on the Jobs tab.
• Posting articles and responding to questions on LinkedIn groups is an ideal way to show that you are involved and knowledgeable about your field.
• Use LinkedIn Jobs to find positions posted on LinkedIn. You may find that you are connected to the person posting the position.
• Follow companies on LinkedIn.
• Use the advanced search features to find people that you used to work with (search = previous company name + past). They may be working at some of the companies you are targeting.

• Tweet about your field.
• Give a tip.
• Talk about an article.
• Follow people on the platform.

• Post content relevant to your job search or career.
• Keep your profile professional.
• Remove all personal information and limit photos.
• Complete the “About Me” information with professional data.
• Use privacy settings and review monthly for changes.
• Find companies and follow for updates, information, and job postings.