Job opportunity channels include:

• Training-cum-placement: Vocational institutes that assist in identifying job opportunities.

• Direct ads in print: Advertisements and classified ads.

• Career portals: These include naukri.com, etc. (complete listing in the report).

• Corporate websites: They include information on the openings, select ones also carry information pertaining to work culture, environment, HR policies, etc.

• Job fairs: Several organisations participate in job fairs.

• Walk-in-interviews: Details are published in newspapers.

• HR consultants: Job aspirants approach them with their portfolio and seek career opportunities.

• Referrals: Word of mouth referencing.

• Campus recruitment: Corporate recruitment in colleges.

• Employment exchange: Not the most popular approach amongst the city bred, but people in small towns still get themselves registered in the hope of getting a job.

The power of the Internet

The Internet is considered to be most cost-effective channel for job search. With technology having revolutionised the job hunting and recruitment process, it is a highly recommended tool for job search. You can do more, such as, post résumés, search for vacancies listed by employers and consultants, collate information on industries and companies, exchange information, get career advice, take free self-assessment and aptitude tests and even get interviewed online.

Job portals

Of late, online recruitment has gained popularity as more and more organisations are discovering the advantages of using the Internet for increasing their headcount. In addition to advertising vacancies on their own websites, organisations have started using common portals to attract potential candidates and scour the skilled database. There are 23 recognised portals, including Monsterindia.com, JobStreet.com, Naukri.com, Cybermediadice.com, etc.

You can visit these websites, register your details, post your résumé and search for vacancies. Some of these portals also offer offline services. However, these services come with a price tag.

Use your discretion to decide what suits you best and how you can capitalise on these resources to your advantage.

Career fairs

This is a job mela that is fast gaining popularity among employers as an ideal platform to meet potential candidates and conduct at least the first level of screening. Here is a checklist of all you need to do for career fairs and the strategy one has to adopt to profit from such events.

Be prepared

• Pre-register: Registering at a career fair usually includes submitting a brief résumé or filling up a prescribed registration form. You can also go in for telephonic registration.

• Research: The purpose of attending a job fair is to get a job, so do not go with a blank mind. List the companies that are participating in the fair and do some research on them prior to meeting them. While all the recruiters will have company literature at their booths, you cannot access those until you reach the venue. Besides, time may be a constraint and you may not even remember most of what you have read. The best way is to seek information about the companies is on the Web, prior to attending the job fair. At least, you would be armed with some basic information about the company, and this homework will stand you in good stead at the time of meeting representatives.

• Attire: You must be appropriately dressed. Since first impressions are critical, it is better to dress conservatively in sober colours. Men should be neat and clean-shaven. Women should avoid loud clothes and accessories. Strong perfumes are an absolute no-no for both. Poise and confidence come only when you are well dressed.

• Corporate websites: They include information on the openings. Select ones also carry information pertaining to work culture, environment, HR policies, etc.

• Résumés: Carry enough résumés to the job fair, at least two per company. In case you have multiple interests and different job objectives, bring different versions of your résumé.

• Career portfolio: In India, this is a new trend. A good career portfolio may even prompt employers to look at you with a different perspective and offer additional responsibilities or a new role with a better salary. A portfolio should include copies of your résumés, a list of references, certificates of appreciation, and samples of your best work. While it may not always be possible for all job aspirants to bring in samples of one’s work, there is no harm in carrying brief project reports of your best assignments.

• Interview process: Interviews are usually very short and you may get just about two to five minutes to market yourself. Hence, you need to make the most of your time. Be specific and clearly articulate the skills you have and how you can contribute to the organisation. By the end of the session, you should have also learnt about the organisation, skills needed for the job, salary, training, contractual obligations, if any, and most importantly, the name of the person with whom you need to follow-up after the fair. Do not forget to collect the business card of the person whom you met.

• Body language: Make eye contact, offer a firm handshake and show enthusiasm. Fidgeting, shifting nervously, rocking to and fro will show you in poor light. You cannot afford to have a nonchalant attitude either. Listen to what is being said and ask intelligent questions. Being loud, brash and pushy will put off the interviewer and ruin your chances of getting a job.

• Follow up: Many job aspirants do not understand the significance of a follow up. This is the first opportunity you have to meet the potential employer and sometimes you may be required to go for an on-site interview or a short training on the job. In any case, it is a good practice to either call that evening or the following day or thank the interviewer for the time he spent with you at the fair. On a formal note, you could even drop a brief thank you letter addressed to the person whom you met. This little gesture will leave a lasting impression on the interviewer who would perceive you as a well-mannered and responsible person.