How to find a Java job in a difficult job market?

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Extracted from Make Your Dream Java Career a Reality - learn how to promote your most employable skills in Java/J2EE - Lulu.com.


Job hunting can be emotionally exhausting, especially if the search lasts for a long time. You can increase your chances of finding a job by casting a wide net, writing an effective resume, practicing your interview technique, and brushing up the fundamentals. If you rely only on advertised positions through newspapers and online jobsites, you are not only expending 100% of you effort on 10% to 30% of the possibilities, but also will be competing with many other professionals who use the same avenue. A real job search has following main avenues:

 Published Job Market: Review job leads via printed news papers, journals, online job banks, recruiter websites, Java forums, etc.

 Hidden Job Market:

 Networking: Start by asking your existing network, past employers, recruitment agents, past colleagues, friends, etc. Next, expand your network through paid or unpaid work in your field, registering with online network sites like LinkedIn: Relationships Matter, joining relevant professional associations, attending conferences, attending user group events, taking part in Java forums, attending career (or job) fairs, etc. Here are some Java related links to start with:

 No Fluff Just Stuff
 The ServerSide Java Symposium
 community.java.net - Java User Groups
 SpringOne - Spring Technologies Conference
 The Auckland Java Community (Java User Group) - Welcome
 Java User Groups
 Java User Groups by Country
 JavaRanch - A Friendly Place for Java Greenhorns (go to “Careers” forums)
 java.net Forums : Your Java Career

Also, do your research by searching on google for "Java community", "Java symposiums", "Java user groups" , "Java discussion Groups", “Java Career Forums” etc. Also, see Tip #7 on networking.

 Unsolicited applications: Sending employers a cover letter and a resume to express your interest in working for them. If you wish to use this method it’s important to target each application carefully and to follow up with a phone call or call before sending the application to ensure that some contact has been made prior to your details appearing before someone in print.

 Cold calling or direct contact: Cold calling (over the phone or in person) means approaching employers directly and preferably by establishing relationships with people who work for the organization through previous networking activities, to make this technique less daunting. I generally prefer building up a good rapport with selected recruitment agents who had represented me in the past. Alternatively, you can contact a number of recruitment agents in your local area and sell your accomplishments along with an impressive resume to perform door knocking on your behalf. This can result in a win/win situation for both. Carefully prepare what you are going to say and be ready to answer some preliminary questions about what you have to offer the organization. Have your resume up to date and tailored to the job you’re targeting.


You can find more Java/JEE related career tips, eye-catching resume phrases, and interview Q&A at Make Your Dream Java Career a Reality - learn how to promote your most employable skills in Java/J2EE - Lulu.com