According to most experts, the average job search takes about five months to complete. Five months is a long time to spend job searching, especially if you are currently out of work! Why does the average job search take this long? One of the primary reasons is because most job seekers are using the exact same job search strategies. Most of them are using what could be called the "wait and hope" strategy.
The wait and hope strategy is comprised of three primary steps.
1- Search for jobs which are being advertised
2- Submit a resume for selected jobs
3- WAIT AND HOPE for an interview
This is the primary strategy used because this is the way we were all taught to look for jobs.
A Better Job Search Strategy
Most people are not aware that only twenty percent of all vacant jobs are actually filled through advertising. This fact is a real eye opener for most people. If only twenty percent of jobs are filled through advertising, that leaves an overwhelming majority of eighty percent which are filled without advertising. If a job is not advertised, how is it ever filled? They are filled through the hidden job market!
What exactly is the hidden job market? These are the jobs that are hidden from public view. For the job seekers who only look for jobs through the classifieds or online advertising, they are completely left out of consideration for these jobs. Considering that eighty percent of jobs are filled this way, they miss out on the majority of jobs that are actually available. This is great news for the job seeker who is willing to learn how to tap into the hidden job market!
Five Easy Steps
You can tap into the hidden job market in five easy steps. Here is a short description of each step.
Step 1 - Develop A Target List Of Employers
The first thing you need to do is to develop a list of employers who have the type of job(s) you are interested in, in the locations you want, and are employers you would like to work for. I call this list of potential employers your job opportunity list. This list of potential employers can be very long, or quite short depending on your interests and needs.
Step 2- Do Some Research
Once you have your job opportunity list together, use the Internet to do a little research on each potential employer. Use the company's web site to read about the company, it's mission, it's products, any current news, and most importantly, find a company directory. Use the directory to find out who is the director or supervisor of the department you want to be hired into.
Step 3- Look For Advertised Jobs
No, I haven't changed my mind. Advertised jobs should not be your primary means of finding your next job, but you should still spend a little time and see what types of jobs are being advertised in your area. Pay special attention to jobs advertised by companies on your job opportunity list.
Step 4- Start Making Contacts
This is where you can start separating yourself from the competition. Most job seekers just won't make direct contact with potential employers. They are not comfortable applying for a job unless the potential employer has put up a big blinking sign (advertisement) that says, "We have a job opening, please send us your resume".
Make direct contact with the employers and let them know about you, your qualifications and experience, and your interest in working for their organization!
Step 5- Be Persistent And Follow Up
Once you are making contacts and sending out resumes, you must be determined to follow up. Just sending out a resume and hoping for an interview won't get you hired faster than your competition. Have a consistent habit of following up with decision makers after a couple of days have passed. You are NOT being pushy by doing this, you are being persistent
Summary
As you can see, this is not rocket science, but it really does work. Tapping into the hidden job market will put you ahead of ninety-five percent of your job search competitors. Don't ever hesitate to make direct contact with employers. Employers like to use the hidden job market because it is much cheaper and faster to fill jobs this way.
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