They say 'if you do what you've always done, you get what you've always gotten.' So here's 10 alternative strategies you can use if you're currently job hunting:
1. Choose a recruitment agency carefully. Target ones specific to your area of interest and if you can meet a recruiter face to face, do so. The more your recruiter knows you and the type of work you're looking for, the more likely they are to find a suitable job for you.
2. Speak to someone doing a job you'd like to do. If you don't know anyone doing such a job, find someone who does. When you find them, ask them how they got their job and whether the same strategy would work in today's market. Ask them about what's great about the job and what's not. Find out as much as you can.
3. Find out if there's a local meet up group related to your field of interest (www.meetup.com). If there is join it, purely with the aim of contributing, learning and having fun. You never know what might transpire.
4. Tell everyone you know that you're job hunting and what you're looking for. There's only 6 degrees of separation between you and anyone else on earth, so there's a good chance you're a lot closer to the people you really need to be talking to. The friend of a friend thing really does work.
5. If you're not using social networking sights such as Twitter and Linkedin already, do so. Search for the type individuals revevant to your field of interest and join the right groups. Contribute to group discussions on LinkedIn. Again, do it with the intention of learning and contributing – not purely to job hunt (except in the case of specific job hunting groups). It's not only God who blesses a cheerful giver.
6. Get out more – always be willing to meet new people. Join a gym, a choir, dance class. Whatever it is you're interested in, find people with a common goal. We all like people we know and trust, so start building new relationships. It's not only good for your job hunt, but your overall well being.
7. Find blogs relevant to your field of interest and contribute to them.
8. If you plan to apply for an advertised job, contact the employer and ask more about the job to show your interest. You could also take things further by asking if the vacancy is available now and offer to fill the gap while they go through the recruitment process. Even if they say no, they will see how keen and enthusiastic you are.
9. Look closer to home. Don't just think large blue chip companies in the city. It may be worth talking to your local small and medium enterprises and even asking if it's possible to do some work experience with them.
10. Find out if there are groups or societies related to your field of interest. If so, keep up to date with the latest goings on, read relevant journals and perhaps contact a business that might be featured within. You never know what they might be able to offer you. Don't just turn to the adverts at the back.