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Out of the Ordinary Places to Look for Job Postings

By U.S. News & World Report

Recruiters are trying new things to attract talent. From pictures highlighting the work environment to employees having fun, companies are luring candidates with photos and creative job postings in many places besides the job boards.

Why would a recruiter go the extra mile to post jobs in other places? One reason is to attract people who are already working and who aren’t actively job seeking. Another reason is to meet candidates where they are active.

[See: 8 Things That Are More Productive Than Staring at a Job Board.]

Recruiters have found that candidates are more selective and want more information about a company before applying. Companies that do a better job showcasing their company culture and perks have a better chance at catching the attention of finicky job seekers. The best place to start looking for these alternative job postings is through social media updates.

Check the company’s career page. The company’s career page often features job postings and a glimpse of company work culture. Don’t stop here. Look for links to the social media platforms the company uses. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn profiles give you the opportunity to learn what the company is up to, discover job postings and the real bonus, to interact with people managing the social media accounts!

Hashtags are magic on social media. If you haven’t identified target companies you would like to work for yet, you can search social media platforms to find jobs using a hashtag, or number sign. Try searching Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest for your new job using the job title preceded by the hashtag, for example #webdesigner, #customerservice or #accounting. You can also try #job to find openings. If you chose this option, you’ll have to sort through many different jobs, but you will learn which companies use social media to promote jobs.

[See: 10 Ways Social Media Can Help You Land a Job.]

Instagram. If you are already using Instagram to catch up on sports news, get the scoop on the latest nail color or follow your favorite coffee shop, then you know companies are using Instagram to connect with customers. Employers are trying to lure employees using Instagram, too. Go ahead and follow your favorite companies to keep up with their career news.

Pinterest. Similar to Instagram, some recruiters have tried sharing job postings on Pinterest to attract candidates. See if any of the companies you are interested in working for have an account and pinboard for career opportunities.

Check Facebook. Don’t dismiss this popular network as a source for job announcements. You may find a friend sharing a job opening through a status update on Facebook or a company highlighting a new opportunity on their Facebook page. Facebook groups also serve as a way for recruiters to list new jobs. Look for groups on Facebook relevant to your occupation or industry or perhaps even the city you want to work in.

Craigslist. This may be the place you go to find a deal on a new-to-you purchase, but it can also be a recruiter’s alternative to the job boards. Craigslist serves as another vehicle for recruiters to post jobs where they know people are already spending time browsing. As with any job posting you find, be smart and practice digital defense. Never share social security numbers or other personal information online or through email. And be sure to check the background of the company and people you are interacting with.

[See: 10 Things Your Mom Didn’t Teach You About Job Searching.]

Talk to people. To beat the odds and stand out as a candidate for a job, start talking to people inside a company before the job is posted. Referred candidates have a much better chance of getting interviewed and hired. Start your search by making a list of people you know and begin networking.

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Out of the Ordinary Places to Look for Job Postings originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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