You will have to cast your net wider and be innovative:
- Be Prepared to Learn - Face the fact that you may not get the same type of job you had earlier. You may have to take a pay cut or do a different job. Learn the new job; try your hand at whatever comes your way. There will be enough time later to move back to your original job when things get better.
- Talk to Friends - Call family, friends and acquaintances to check if they know of construction activity in their area. Look up the websites of construction firms and see where their current projects are. Visit the place, talk to the foreman and be prepared to work on trial basis. You may not get a job close to your home though. You may have to travel a bit.
- Visit Craigslist - There would be small construction jobs that home owners want to get done - an extension to the bed room, a green house, carpentry work and so on. These jobs may not pay well, but you could get references to other jobs as word of mouth goes around.
- Go to Job Boards - Register yourself with major job boards. Put your resume up so that job postings come to you. Searching the Blue Book Network for contractors and suppliers by region can give you possible leads.
- Employment Agencies and Recruitment Ads - There would be postings at employment agencies and a few recruitment ads in the local newspaper. Register yourself with the agency and keep a look out for construction job ads.
- Work with Real Estate Agents - Real estate agents are a good bet to find construction work. New owners who are moving in are bound to want repairs or remodeling done. In fact, many real estate agents offer references of construction persons to new owners. Or the estate agents themselves may want minor repairs carried out before a sale. Register with them.
- Building Suppliers - Building supplies businesses would be one of the first to know where construction activity is taking place. In fact, they would have their own list of service people to perform tasks like carpentry, tiling, plumbing, in fact, related to any of the supplies that these businesses sell. Register yourself with them.
- Carry References - When you apply for a job, it is important that you find people who give a positive reference for you. Talk about your experience.
- Flyers & Visiting Cards - If you can, have visiting cards printed. If you can't, leave your number behind to be passed on to friends, neighbors or acquaintances by the people you have done work for. Canvass in the neighborhood while you are at it. Put up your flyers on bulletin boards and leave your cards at the local hardware store.
- Local Communities - Look for local communities where you can speak, giving advice on specific repair or remodeling work. Distribute your cards to the attendees.
