Hidden Job Market

The Hidden Job Market is not well hidden; you just need to know where to look for it.  You won’t find the hidden job market on job search websites and job banks, nor will you find it in the newspaper or the other places you’ve been looking.

And if you are ignoring the hidden job market you are ignoring most of the jobs out there.  And they are ignoring you.  Information about available work is often circulated through a manager's network of co-workers, business associates, friends, relatives, acquaintances and you by asking about job vacancies through cold calls.  As often as not, employers do not have to advertise for new staff, because they do not have to or do not want to.

 If you had the choice ploughing through a pile of 100 or so resumes,  responding to an ad on a job search from strangers or if could choose from a select group (recommended by people you know and trust or someone you may have met through a cold call), what would you do?  You would probably choose to hire from the hidden job market, as most employers do.

So how do you access the hidden job market?  First you have to be pro-active and put yourself out there (versus being reactive by reacting or responding to job ads).  You need to:

• Do cold calls
• Visit employers
• Network
• Conduct informational interviews
• Attend job fairs
• Write letters and send emails.

When it comes to job searching, there are no guarantees. 

But I can guarantee you that the hidden job market does exist. 

If you do not find ways of accessing the hidden job market, you are missing out on opportunities.

Email While Job Searching

 

Email can be friend or foe when you are job searching.  Make sure that the email account you are using for job search is professional. Cute nicknames are best reserved for emailing friends instead of your potential boss.  Using your first and last name to create an email address is your safest bet.

Some common email providers used in Saskatchewan are:

• Sasktel
• Hotmail
• Yahoo
• Google
• Shaw.

Be vigilant about checking your spam or junk folders. You never know when a message from an employer could accidently find its way into the wrong folder.  It is best to check your spam folder every few days because some email accounts are setup to automatically delete messaged in these folders after five days. If you find a worthwhile message in the wrong folder than move it into your inbox for safe keeping.  Good luck with your job search.

Job Interviews Time Factor

I often coach and recommend resources to people to build confidence and knowledge around job interviews.  People often forget the time factor.  A job interview team generally allow 20 minutes to conduct an actual interview.  If they ask 15 questions that allows you just over one minute to answer each question.  Don’t forget the introductions, job details and asking the interview questions takes time too.  I encourage people to practise answers to typically asked questions before job interviews and when I assist through a 1-1 mock interview, I consistently track the time to ensure the necessary conciseness.  Editing your answers in advance, starting and stopping your answers with clarity, using your smile, breathing, and asking for interviewer for clarification will ensure your success.   If you are conscious of time in a job interview, employers may recognize you will use time wisely in your job or work day as well.   

Negotiating Salary

Often when I coach people around job interviews they are uncertain how to answer the salary question.  There are some considerations. 
1)      If you are asked the question what are your salary expectations:  I often suggest saying the job is of interest to me and then ask, “Based on my experience and education where do you see me fitting in your pay scale?”
2)      If you need the job you may want to accept a position that pays less for the short term; you can always continue to apply for job opportunities.
3)      Sometimes we over focus on the pay scale. 

·         Some jobs offer work life balance, gym memberships, cheaper or free parking
·         If a job is close to home you can save money on travel and  transportation costs
·         Some jobs have very good health and benefits packages
·         If the company has a low staff turnover try and find out why; as there is usually a reason people stay
·         If the company has a high staff turnover try and find out why; as there is usually a reason people leave

When I counsel job seekers I am continually amazed how loyal and honest employees want to be to a potential employer.  If an employer ensures competitive or even higher salaries and benefits they could increase retention.   Remember interviewing and hiring is time consuming and costly for everyone involved.