The Golden Tickets: Leveraging Employee Referrals and Emerging Job Opportunities

The winter doldrums may have slowed down your job search or your decision to switch careers. However, whether you are searching for a job, intend to change careers or want to advance in your current job, now is the time to recharge your career! The issue which typically prevents people from acting on a career change is the uncertainty of where to start the process. There are two key factors to consider when beginning the career change or job search process. First, it is important to understand where the emerging opportunities are. A recent article in the NY Times indicated that contrary to popular belief, transportation, automotive, construction and manufacturing job openings increased exponentially from the year earlier period. As to be expected, there was also growth in the finance, technology, and healthcare fields. Further, hospitality and real estate opportunities also increased, while job openings in media decreased. Thus, by recognizing the growth areas for employment, you can match your interests, skills, and job search strategies accordingly. The other factor to understand is that employee referrals remain as one of the most preferred methods for recruiters to find ideal job candidates. A feature in Workforce Management indicated that 88% of employers identified employee referrals as their number one source of above average candidates. This data suggests that it is crucial to cultivate your immediate contacts and to expand your network. It is crucial to know that since many organizations provide incentives to employees for recommending job candidates, such referrals are a win-win for you and your contact. Thus, reach out to your friends, family, former colleagues, and past supervisors to find out about possible referral programs and how to break into the best fit opportunity for you. Leverage the power of networking and your knowledge of job opportunities, and you will be able to make 2011 the year of dynamic career change.