Cracking the Hidden Job Market

Cracking the Hidden Job Market

Talk to most job seekers and they presume that the best way to find a job is to discover an open position posted in traditional media or online.  The problem of course with this focus, is that you will only see approximately 15% of the jobs currently available advertised this way, with the remaining 85% or so being referred to as the “hidden job market”.

The actual expression ‘hidden job market’ is a misnomer, in that the jobs are not hidden, or non-existent, it’s just that they are not in plain sight for the majority of job seekers.  These out of sight jobs are created in three ways:

• The company is growing
• Someone quits, leaving a vacancy
• Someone is being replaced, and the employer does not want the employees to know about it.

In all cases the job remains hidden to the outside world for days, weeks, if not months.
So how do you actually crack the hidden job market before companies and organisations go down the advertising or HR route?

Research

Those in recruitment circles research potential leads and you can do the same thing, by researching companies and organisations in order to locate potential opportunities.

Start by developing a list of companies by going to www.google.com and following the link to advanced option in Google.  So for example, if you wanted to search for work in advertising in Sydney, with the advanced search options, you can narrow your search down to companies in advertising, located in Sydney.

Right, now that you have your list of potential companies, you need to find out the names of the people that can actually hire you.  Go to each company’s web site and gather names, appropriate to your level, (for example if going for a more senior role, give HR a miss, and go to the senior executives that will ultimately be making the hiring decision).  Once you have the relevant name, google the contact name, to gather as much information on them, (e.g. conferences they attended, articles they wrote) so when you send them an introduction letter, you will be able to use this information in an introduction letter, such as “I read your article in…about…which promoted me to write” (Sneaky but a very powerful and effective way to get your resume in front of decision makers).

Networking

If you want to really accelerate your career, then you need to implement a networking strategy.  Yep – I know – the mere thought of networking leaves many people feeling nervous and anxious, in particular if you are introverted or a shy person.

But before you dismiss this really powerful way to boost your career and tap into the hidden job market, you need to understand that networking is not simply approaching everyone you know and asking for a job.  Networking is about building strategic relationships, on a consistent basis throughout your career (not just when you are looking for work).

Some ways to build your network of contacts include:

• Contacting decision makers within companies and industries, and explaining your career plans and asking them if they would spend a few minutes talking to you and answering some questions.  Most people are flattered and will say yes.  When you get in from of them, DON’T ask for a job, but ask for advice and referrals.
• Inform everyone within your circle that you are looking for work and ask for advice and referrals.  Again, we are not asking for a job, just advice.  Your circle could include friends, relatives, people you went to university with, ex managers, contacts in the community, such as your local GP, salespeople.  They are all part of your network.
• Join professional organisations and clubs, attend workshops and training in your field or industry.  Attend job fairs to meet directly with hiring decision makers, volunteer your career-related skills in your community.  By getting out and meeting people, you will meet contacts that can provide you with leads and advice.
• Follow up every contact with a thank you note and cultivate and nurture that relationship.
• Establish yourself on LinkedIn.  If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, now is this time to establish an account and effectively network.

Self-promotion

Another way to tap into the hidden job market is to promote yourself online, so that recruiters and companies come directly to you.  Although not as effective as one to one networking, by promoting yourself online you will build yourself an effective profile in your area of expertise.  Ways that you could promote yourself online include:

• Creating a blog on your area of career expertise
• Develop a web based resume to post online
• Participate in online discussion forums and groups