When you don’t have a job, you have to look for a 9 to 5 job.
Finding a job in a small town can be difficult because opportunities are limited, but it’s not impossible. Here are seven steps to finding a job faster in a small community.
1. Leverage your local network
Small towns often survive by word of mouth. Talk to your friends, family, and community members about your job search and see if there are any opportunities available.
You’d be surprised how many small businesses are looking to hire, but haven’t made a final decision yet. Recommendations from people you know and trust may be the impetus for hiring you.
2. Visit local businesses
In a tight-knit community like this, a good word from a local carries a lot of weight. So let people know you’re looking for work and ask them to remember you if they hear anything. Networking isn’t just for big cities. It may be even more effective in small towns.
Many small businesses don’t advertise jobs online. Stop by local stores, restaurants, and offices, ask about openings, and drop off your resume. As mentioned earlier, many companies are considering hiring but haven’t pulled the trigger yet.
When you meet someone who is actively looking for a job, they often take the opportunity to scrutinize applications and read resumes, something they usually don’t have the time or resources to do. Free yourself from unmanageable tasks.
Visiting a company in person also gives you the opportunity to make a strong first impression. This is invaluable in small towns, where personality and community connections are often valued as much, if not more, than a resume. This shows that you are genuinely interested and motivated, and can set you apart from others who are simply sending out their resumes online.
3. Post on social media
Post a short message on your social media accounts to let people know you’re looking for a job. You never know who in your network will take the lead. Likewise, join and post in local Facebook groups dedicated to job postings and community news.
Keep your posts short but informative, mentioning the type of job you’re looking for and any important skills you have. Simply say, “Hello, I’m looking for a job at.” [industry].well experienced [key skills]. Any clues would be greatly appreciated!’ That should be enough.
more: 10 Legitimate Work From Home Websites to Find Remote Jobs
4. Customize your resume
If you’re applying to a major local company, an optimized, ATS-ready resume can help you stand out from the crowd.
Start by avoiding elements such as images, graphs, and symbols. These elements may not translate well to other formats or may confuse the ATS software your company uses. Use a simple, clean layout and standard fonts to make your resume easy to read both in software and to the human eye.
Sprinkle your resume with specific keywords related to the job you’re applying for. Look for these keywords in job descriptions or similar posts. For example, if you’re applying for a management position, words like “leadership,” “budgeting,” and “team coordination” might be helpful.
Always save your resume as a Word document unless your job application specifically requests a different format. In general, Word documents are highly compatible with many types of software and can be easily edited to suit your needs.
Even if you’re applying to a small business that doesn’t use an ATS, these best practices will make your resume more appealing to readers, whether they’re a local store owner or a recruiter at a large company. It becomes attractive.
5. Show commitment
Employers in small towns are wary of high turnover rates and may be reluctant to hire people who are likely to quit quickly. That’s why demonstrating your commitment to the community gives you an edge. Make it clear in your interview and cover letter that you have strong ties to the area. That could mean you grew up in the area, have family nearby, or simply like the local culture and have no plans to move.
6. Attend local events and meetings
Town meetings, local auctions, fairs, and other community events are more than just social gatherings. These are great opportunities to network and discover jobs that aren’t advertised elsewhere. These settings allow you to interact with local business owners, town officials, and other community members who may know of employment opportunities. Small towns often rely on word of mouth, so making a good impression at these events can greatly increase your chances of getting the job.
If possible, prepare some quick talking points about your skills and experience so you can discuss them whenever the opportunity arises. A simple elevator pitch is a useful tool in this situation, helping you succinctly explain what you’re looking for and what you can offer.
7. Always follow up
After you submit an application or have an interview, be sure to follow up to show that you’re genuinely interested in the position. This simple but important step can set you apart from other equally qualified but less aggressive candidates. A well-timed email or phone call to the hiring manager or interviewer will not only increase their interest in you, but also keep you fresh in their minds.
Final advice
Although you need to focus on job hunting full-time, it’s also important to have some money coming in from a side job. Small towns have unique opportunities for side jobs that can help you not only make ends meet but also grow into something bigger.
If you live in a fast-growing city that’s perfect for starting a business, there’s a good chance your side hustle will develop into a full-fledged local business.
