The way we search for and find work may have changed dramatically over the past decade or so, but this has brought some big advantages for job-seekers. Here are a few tips to help increase the likelihood that the right job will find you:

Start networking & influencing (online as well as offline)

Personal networks are by far the most dominant way for people to find work. The use of social networking sites to locate work is highest in the EMEA region—but in any market now it’s important to understand the importance of both networking and influencing. Consider joining:

Professional associations: attending events and being a member helps, but being actively involved in formal ways helps even more. When there are opportunities to assist with events or to take on formal positions within a professional association you are affiliated with, jump at them—you can make many connections and learn from others.
Alumni groups: if you are completing further study or have done so in the past, join or reconnect with alumni groups. The commitment required is low and many of these groups only require attendance at a couple of events annually. They are a great way to stay connected with like-minded individuals as they move through their careers.
Online networking sites and groups: connecting with colleagues and recruiters online helps you stay in touch with potential job offers or development opportunities. Participating in online forums and joining interest groups aligned with your role, skills and industry helps you stay current with emerging issues and identify skill gaps. LinkedIn is just one example of a site that allows you to do connect with, as well as discuss opportunities, challenges and share content with like-minded professionals.
Work functions: we all need to balance work with family and personal commitments, therefore it’s critical to choose carefully which work events you attend. Larger events may actually be lower in value from a networking point-of-view and provide fewer opportunities to engage in meaningful dialogue. Look for opportunities to share knowledge and engage with others that represent quality over quantity.

Even if you do all of the above, leveraging relationships with recruiters and HR consultants to find the right opportunities should still be a part of your career strategy. Recruiters, head-hunters and HR consultancies come in all shapes and sizes, and no matter how senior or junior you are, there will be one to suit your needs. Here are my tips for getting the most out of their services:

Know what you want and what you don’t: if you wait for recruiters to come to you, chances are they’ll be more focused on filling the role they have on offer than on what your individual needs are. It’s in recruiters’ interests to get the best fit, but when they have vacancies they’ll look to fill them as fast as they can. So, recruiters can be part of a proactive career strategy, but only if you have a good idea of where you are headed. If you are looking for career advice, head to a specialist in your field, not a recruiter.

Make sure they know you well: spend time with your recruiter. When you are busy and already gainfully employed it’s hard to find the time and the motivation for meetings with recruiters, but a good one will want to get to know you and your strengths well in order to match you with the right role—but they can’t do this unless you give them time.

Be patient: when you are ready to ‘jump ship’ it is tempting to do so before the right role comes up. However, it can take more than six months, even in a buoyant market, to find the right role at a senior or managerial level.

Know what you’re worth: don’t wait for recruiters to decide your salary. Know as much as you can about the marketability of your skills so they can set expectations with clients upfront.

These tips are part of the European Career Guide, a career report free for download here.