Unlocking The Hidden Job Market

John Krautzel
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The so-called hidden job market may land you a great job someday, especially since statistics say that up to 80 percent of positions never make it to a public posting. Discovering unposted positions can save you a month or two on the job search, and it may lead to greater career satisfaction.

Utilize a targeted strategy to unlock the hidden job market, but keep in mind one key fact — you do not look for a job in a strict sense; rather, you attempt to find and connect with someone who has the power to give you a job. That means connecting with the right person, in the correct way, over time. Sometimes a connection doesn't pay off right away, so patience is a virtue.

1. Make Connections Within Your Network

That industry trade show you attended last month wasn't just a chance to rub elbows with a lot of great people — it was a networking opportunity. Get to know recruiters, employees and managers at networking events, on LinkedIn profiles and in regular interactions with ordinary people. You never know who may have the inside scoop on the hidden job market.

2. Take LinkedIn to New Levels

LinkedIn represents a great way to connect to people who share similar interests to yours. The social media website also harbors a fantastic method to tap into unposted positions. LinkedIn is a two-way street, though, so prepare to make connections where you scoop other people. You can help bring a person on board to the company where you work through the hidden job market just as well as anyone else.

3. Participate in Social Media

Don't just create social media profiles and then leave them. Stay active by checking your profile once a week and connecting with people who may have information. Post a blog entry, participate in LinkedIn groups, tweet your intention to find a job and let your Facebook connections know you are actively looking for employment. Your second- or third-level connections on social media may come through when you create several contacts.

4. Contact Those Directly Responsible for Hiring You

The ultimate goal of making connections in the hidden job market is to eventually contact the person directly responsible for hiring you. That means reaching out to a recruiter, an HR manager or a hiring executive. However, you have to work up to that connection first. When you know a job is about to come open, you may eliminate a lot of the competition for the position already simply by contacting the person who does the hiring before the job posts online. Knowing about the job before it even posts gets you noticed, and it may spare you the hassle of a lengthy job search.

The hidden job market represents an untapped potential for your future career success. When you know how to work this aspect of hiring, you increase your chances of finding that perfect job at the right company.


Photo courtesy of pakorn at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 
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  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    @Kathleen thanks for your comment. Same thing that all of think about when we are job searching while still working. You might be able to limit your exposure on LinkedIn as well as on other social media sites. Not that they will guarantee that they still won't see that you are looking. Everyone worries about this. But it's a definite reality that we will always be looking for our next job. Years ago you could graduate from HS or college, get a position and remain in that position until you retired. Today, if you stay in one position for two years, that's a bonus for the company. They don't expect you to stay for a lifetime. So I don't think I would worry so much about that. Best of luck in finding your next position.

  • Kathleen Reuther
    Kathleen Reuther •

    What happens if my current bosses see in LinkedIn or other sites that I am looking for another job. How can I avoid this issue?

  • Marcus Johnson
    Marcus Johnson •

    Exactly.....

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    @Keith thanks for your comment. Many times companies will not advertise a position because they are hoping to be able to hire from within. But if there is no one within, they still have a position that needs filled. Using your contacts certainly is a great way to get your foot in the door of a company. If you have narrowed your search down to one company, it doesn't hurt anything to try to find out who the hiring manager might be and contact him directly. This can be tough to do sometimes but not impossible. There is nothing to say that you can't send your resume into the personnel office. Maybe it will be trashed but maybe it won't. And there is nothing that says that you can't take the time and effort to send your resume and cover letter via snail mail. Believe it or not companies really appreciate it when you take the time to do this because then they know that you are really interested in the company and not just blindly submitting applications like many job seekers do. Worth a shot - always.

  • Keith Enste
    Keith Enste •

    This is myth and hyperbole; if companies are not advertising for openings; chances are they are none. Yes, occasionally one may stumble upon an open position: but more often than not when firms are not advertising for positions chances are they are simply not hiring. You' forward your stellar qualifications; and either it ends up in the recycling bin, or worse the trash bin. If you're really fortunate, it may actually get filed into an appropriate "potential hire" folder; where, it likely will remain. In addition firms pay big bucks for their Personnel offices; attempting to circumvent this office gains you nothing.

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