5 Ways to Enhance Your Career Search in Tulsa

In a city like Tulsa, with its friendly, small-town vibes, understanding the local job market is essential. These 5 techniques will help you make the most of what Tulsa offers in terms of career searching, whether you want to work locally on-site or remotely.

1. Get to know the Local Economic Landscape

A local job search is made easier when you have a good grasp of Tulsa’s economic opportunities. Be open to doing regular research so you can stay on top of what’s happening locally. Here’s how to do it:

Follow the Local News

Local news broadcasts on TV and radio, newspapers, magazines, and even social media feeds like the X accounts of local journalists can offer insights into what’s coming to the local economy. Staying on top of the latest workforce developments can help you discover and follow up on new leads quickly—making it more likely your resume will be among the first applications to be seen.

Visit the Chamber of Commerce

The websites of the local chamber of commerce in Tulsa, as well as the chambers in surrounding towns, can be excellent sources of information. They’ll reveal what companies are launching or expanding in the area, and will therefore be looking for new hires. Also, keep an eye out for open events that allow non-members to attend, so you can learn more about local companies and meet new people who might help you.

2. Build Your Network and Expand Who You Know in Tulsa

Personal connections remain one of the most effective ways to land a new role. Many employers reward employees for making referrals, so find out who you know that works at a place you’d like to be. Ask if they’d connect you to people who can help you. Leverage other ways to expand your connections as well:

Spend Time at Career Accelerators

In Tulsa, you’ll find a variety of places that encourage professionals to come together, share knowledge, and support each other’s success. Think of coworking spaces, career accelerators such as Gradient, and educational programs such as the Atlas School as places to not only learn skills but to build relationships that could lead you into a new role. Many of these spaces hold monthly activities that are open to everyone, and day rates to visit are often worth the investment when you’re job searching.

Attend Industry Events and Job Fairs

If you have a specific industry or career path in mind, join in Tulsa-area meetups and conferences that are focused on that industry. Get to know people and companies that might be a fit for you. Job fairs can be worth attending as well, both for research as well as a way to build your network. Our March 27th networking fair (part of our Elevate Your Career series) is a great place to start. There, you’ll be able to connect with many local professional organizations such as Techlahoma, Atlas School, New U, TSY/Campus Tulsa, the Coffee Bunker, inTulsa Table, the Visa Network, Tulsa Young Professionals (TYPROS), Oklahoma Women in Technology (OKWIT), Overcoming Job Transition (OJT), Out in Tech, and System One. Organizations such as these can help you grow your network in a way that also allows you to give back to the community.

3. Consider a Variety of Career Paths

Employers appreciate candidates who demonstrate the ability to adapt, learn, and shift with today’s ever-evolving work landscape. Be open to opportunities that may not look exactly like your current role. It may well be worthwhile to switch your direction so that you align with where the job market is heading.

Know What You Want and Where You Can Adapt

As you think about your options, define what is negotiable for you—and what isn’t. Having clarity will help you recognize open roles that may offer exciting opportunities that you otherwise may not have considered. If you have been laid off or you are looking to make a pivot into a new industry, a lower-level position may be worth compromising on, so that you can gain valuable work experience.

Look at Smaller Employers and Nonprofits

Tulsa has many small to medium-size businesses and nonprofits that are looking for talented, adaptable people. Working at such organizations can be empowering, because the role you take on may be quite flexible—and you may have the leeway to shape your position more than you would in a more structured corporate environment.

4. Position Yourself to Fit the Role You’re Seeking

Even though you’re using your local knowledge and network to help you find your next role in Tulsa, it’s also important to think about your career path from a big-sky view. Consider what you need to do to set yourself up to successfully land an interview. This is a crucial step, whether you’re looking to move laterally, step into a higher role, or are pivoting to a different career path.

Identify What Makes a Role Unique

Spend time reviewing job descriptions for the type of role you’d like to land, and make note of anything they have in common—especially anything that you’ll need to learn to do. Look for people who are familiar with similar roles, and take them out for coffee to see what they say are the most vital skills you’ll need to succeed.

Fill in Missing Skills

Once you know what you need to learn or enhance, it’s time to fill in your sSeek classes or certifications from places such as the Atlas School, Tulsa Community College, and other local venues, which will help you build your Tulsa network as well as grow your skillset.

5. Leverage Local Resources

In Tulsa, you’ll find a lot of helpful resources that set you up for success in your job search. There are a variety of programs, classes, and tools that make it easier to pursue your next career role.

Join Tulsa’s Many Career Growth Groups

Locally, there are many groups that provide resume coaching, career pivoting advice, reskilling and upskilling, and other forms of job search support. The Tulsa City-County Library has a helpful job search resource section on its website. Organizations such as Green Country Workforce and Retrain Tulsa help Tulsa-area residents prepare for success as they seek a new job.

Align Your Online Presence with Your Career Goals

As you look for a fitting professional role, take steps to match your social presence with your job search. A personal website that showcases your portfolio and achievements is a handy tool, so look for classes on developing your personal brand at Tulsa area coworking spaces and business accelerators.

At inTulsa, we offer sessions on topics such as visualizing your career possibilities and how to optimize your LinkedIn profile. You can browse our upcoming events to sign up.

Make the Most of Your Career Search with Local Tips from inTulsa

Whether your goal is to land a new position that is aligns better with your professional vision, or whether you are facing a layoff or a lack of forward momentum, finding your next role will be easier when you have a clear plan to follow.

At inTulsa, we provide practical resources to make your search for on-site or remote work simple. Sign up for our Talent Network to get the latest, custom job alerts and leads, and check out our handy online tips and our Elevate Your Career events to help you navigate your career search successfully.

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