Create Job Search Magic With These Five Secrets

Don't be misled by the idea that a job search has to involve weeks or months of scanning job boards with little progress. Remember that much of your competition is reading the same job postings and using the same techniques to create polished resumes. Instead of competing in a massive talent pool, treat your job search like a marketing campaign to attract offers for the unadvertised positions you really want.

1. Search for Companies — Not Jobs

Job seekers often assume that most companies publicize all their open positions, but aggressive advertising is expensive and forces recruiters to waste valuable time weeding out unqualified candidates. Many employers are diversifying their recruitment strategies to target smaller groups of compatible candidates. They first turn to referrals, social media, professional organizations and headhunters to research candidates, resorting to mainstream advertisement when jobs remain unfilled.

Apply the same qualitative approach to your job search to find solid leads. Compile a list of ideal companies, and learn everything you can about their culture, leadership and upcoming projects. Use social media sites, such as Twitter and LinkedIn, to identify company decision-makers, and set up alerts to stay updated on company news.

2. Communicate Directly With Hiring Managers

If your resume isn't keyword-rich and packed with measurable work experience, you have less chance of getting on a manager's shortlist or landing interviews. Bypass hurdles in your job search by sending applications directly to hiring managers. Research the roles of professionals in your target departments, and tailor your cover letters to demonstrate how your expertise relates to the company's current projects or obstacles.

3. Be in the Right Places

Armed with better leads, you can use guerrilla marketing tactics to increase your visibility among prospective employers. Participate in conferences hosted or attended by your target companies, especially if they offer pitching events. Depending on your skill set, brainstorm ways to demonstrate your initiative, passion and adaptability. For example, reach out to employers for shadowing opportunities, or offer to profile a company's recent accomplishments in your blog.

4. Grow an Active Network

Cultivate your network while employed to build a reputation that attracts future opportunities. Decide what you want to be known for, and get involved in professional and recreational activities that reinforce your brand. Earn goodwill with others by making their lives easier, which simultaneously reminds people why you're valuable. Focus on solving problems at work and providing useful advice, services or referrals to people in your network. You can even host your own social events and ask friends to bring newcomers, helping you make beneficial connections in a casual environment.

5. Build Your Brand Online

Use creative job search strategies to build an online presence. Blogging can show your authority on niche topics, but you can also take advantage of free or low-cost advertising to get your resume in front of recruiters. Bankrate profiled freelance writer Jane Wesman, who used a Facebook ad and microtargeting tools to grab the attention of HarperCollins employees. While she didn't end up with the publishing giant, Wesman received 100 responses in two weeks, helping her land a publicity job at another company.

A job search is a numbers game, but the goal isn't to submit the most applications. Improve your results by increasing interactions with people who have wide-ranging referral power.

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