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.