How do you search for jobs?

[drhugrobot]

Right now, I use Indeed.com and specific company websites to send me email updates for available actuarial positions.

I haven't had the best of luck so far, so how do you suggest one searches for positions?

Of course, networking in real life is ideal, but I want to find great opportunities for myself also.

Thanks!

[Irish Blues]

The list of companies: http://www.actuary.com/actuarial-dis...ead.php?t=2426

From there, just keep beating on doors - eventually one of them will open up. I got my first job applying directly to a company; it was probably the 9th or 10th time through the dance, but eventually I found a good fit and was able to nail the interview.

[WyoFire]

Right now, I use Indeed.com and specific company websites to send me email updates for available actuarial positions.

I haven't had the best of luck so far, so how do you suggest one searches for positions?

Of course, networking in real life is ideal, but I want to find great opportunities for myself also.

Thanks!

Also go to the FSA/ASA directory on the SOA website. You'll see where all the FSA's are and who they are working for. Then google the companies.

[RWL288]

When I use job search engines it seems like 90% of the very few of entry level positions listed are through recruiters. I looked up a few companies directly with no luck, I'm wondering if I should continue to do this? For example, if a company has a position they need to fill wouldn't I be able to find it on a search site or do some companies not post to search sites or go through recruiters?

[Irish Blues]

Some companies will list positions internally before posting them to the general public. In those cases, you just have to wait. Otherwise, if you're entry-level look at companies directly; sure, you could go to a recruiter - but generally, companies will not pay a recruiter to find an entry-level person because there's so many entry-level candidates out there. [I discussed this in another thread recently.] Even if they say "1-3 exams, 1-3 years experience" apply; the worst that happens is that they say no.

[WyoFire]

When I use job search engines it seems like 10% of the very few of entry level positions listed are through recruiters. I looked up a few companies directly with no luck, I'm wondering if I should continue to do this? For example, if a company has a position they need to fill wouldn't I be able to find it on a search site or do some companies not post to search sites or go through recruiters?

Use all methods to search for jobs. I found my job by going directly to the company's website. That's why I recommend doing so. In my searching experience, only about 90% of the companies I looked at had openings, but going directly to companies still produced more results than all other methods (recruiters, search engines, etc.) combined.

[RWL288]

I used that list of companies all day yesterday and found about 15 positions I qualify for and a ton more that welcome speculative applications/resumes and I've only gotten to the companies that begin with C. So yeah I'd say this method is already working better because I've only found about 5 from job search engines.

[drhugrobot]

The list of companies: http://www.actuary.com/actuarial-dis...ead.php?t=2426

From there, just keep beating on doors - eventually one of them will open up. I got my first job applying directly to a company; it was probably the 9th or 10th time through the dance, but eventually I found a good fit and was able to nail the interview.

Thanks to everyone! This is a beautiful thread of ideas, and I particularly like this list of companies.

The main message I am hearing is persistence.