Finding a job isn’t always easy, especially if you’re using antiquated methods to track down employment opportunities. Rest assured, however, that it is possible to get a job that aligns with your aspirations and your experience – you just need to make sure you’re looking in the right places! Here’s how to find opportunities in the hidden job market.
Behind the scenes of the hidden job market
Generally, most people who are looking for a job first go down the well-trodden paths of perusing job boards, classified ads, recruitment agencies and job fairs. Often, job seekers will see the same ads for the same jobs published in different sources. Although these channels can connect you with many professional opportunities, they are by no means exhaustive!
In fact, there exists an entirely hidden job market of opportunities that organizations don’t publish through traditional channels. These jobs are hidden for a variety of reasons: because there is no urgent need to fill them; they don’t want the position to be advertised in public; because they haven’t fully clarified their needs yet; or because the position is confidential in nature.
These kinds of concealed opportunities can be vacant positions or new jobs that are not yet fully defined. Either way, they represent possibilities that are worth looking into.
Get your network working
The first step towards gaining access to the hidden job market is to put out the word to your personal and professional networks that you’re looking for a job. This should help you gather some useful information about opportunities that are out there, including employers you may not have considered; if you are lucky, you may also hear about hidden job opportunities that your contacts know about.
Making sure that your friends and contacts are aware that you’re looking for a job is important. Each one of these people will have you in mind when they hear about opportunities that might be a good fit for you, and will tell you about them. A simple conversation may tip you off about open positions that haven’t been made public yet – presenting you with the chance to apply!
Send out spontaneous candidatures
To make your way into the hidden job market, it’s also a good idea to send out spontaneous candidatures to employers that interest you. You can make a list of organizations you want to reach out to using information gleaned during your research.
When reaching out in a spontaneous fashion, make sure to personalize each application as much as possible. This takes time, but will greatly increase your chances of success. Keep in mind that you’re not responding to an explicit need; rather, you are offering your services or expertise, and you should present your profile in a way that demonstrates what you’re looking for and what you can bring to the organization.
The good thing about spontaneous applications is that there’s very limited competition, as opposed to when you apply for an open position. A spontaneous application allows a recruiter to consider you as a stand-alone candidate, without competition; they may appreciate your audacity and initiative as well.
Want to discover the hidden job market? Do your research, leverage your networks and send out spontaneous candidatures!
By: Imane Madi
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