Job Search Sucks. Can Hidden Job Market Help?

Yes. There is a hidden job market. But many people never look beyond job board listings for their job search. Problem is they may be missing out on the majority of available — or soon available — jobs. And they are competing against everyone else who sees the same listings.

Nowadays you just can’t rely on the obvious to find a good job. While it can happen, why not give yourself a better chance at finding something you really want? And maybe save yourself many extra months of job search agony.

What is the hidden job market?

“Some of the best jobs are not listed — and some never listed. So if you rely only on online job boards you’ll be competing with everyone else, but missing some gems. The real insider knows to look for (as of now) unlisted jobs through direct solicitation and / or someone connected to the company.”

⇒ SOURCE: Insider Tips To Help Your Job Search

Companies don’t always list available jobs for any number of reasons. Or there may be one about to get listed / newly developed that you could get a head start on. Or there may be no job yet, but you can find a way to get one created for you.

For the majority of job seekers, the hidden job market remains hidden. So one of the best things you can do for yourself, in addition to applying for listed jobs, is to set your sights on finding openings that are unknown to the general public.

So how do you find hidden jobs?

Job search is work. Every day besides checking for new listings, set aside some time to think creatively about where else to look and / or reach out for help.

Some ideas to get you started:

1. Network! Contact people you know who may be able to help. This is not the time to be shy. Former bosses or colleagues. Teachers you’ve had. People in organizations you belong to. Friends and family members who may have an idea or connection. HINT: Make contacts conversational and not just about you. Talk about your job search as part of a positive personal goal.

2. Contact people you don’t know. I know this can be awkward, but think about organizations you belong to (or join for this purpose), people you meet at conferences, fellow alumni, or even people you meet at a party, volunteer work, standing in line at a grocery store … you never know where a lead might come from. HINT: Also ask folks you already know or meet for names of people who might know of jobs or be helpful in some way. I once got to a new job from an interview for a job that I didn’t get!

3. Target companies you’d like to work for where you’ve researched enough to include a relevant thing about them in your “cold call” letter or email. Remember to check their websites and use Google Alerts (see below) for more info about the company. HINT: Help the company see why you are a great fit for their goals / needs. No canned cover letters or untargeted resumes!

4. Set up informational interviews related to your field or desired field if changing careers. These can be people you know or met at some point or willing potential contacts whose names you come across in your research. HINT: Your main job is to engage informational interviews with your personality and enthusiasm, so they actually want to help.

More ways to get to hidden job market

5. Set up Google Alerts for companies you’re interested in to get the latest news. You may discover jobs this way but also information you can use in a cold call letter and also in applications / interviews for advertised jobs. HINT: You can create your Google Alerts HERE.

6. If your job search has been going on for a while, you might want to think about expanding the type of job or company you’ve been focusing on. Maybe even the location. HINT: Are there transferable skills you’d actually like to use more in your next job? This may be a time to open yourself up to something new.

7. And last but not least, this may also be a good time to revisit your resume and cover letter strategy and make sure you’re job search tools can really do the job you want them to do. This is especially important when trying to make an impression / break through to one of those unlisted “hidden” jobs. HINT: Browse some of these articles to help — Resume & Cover Letter Tips

Does hidden job market really matter?

Some estimates put the hidden job market as high as 80% while others suggest closer to 50 or 60%. But even if it’s somewhat less, that’s still a lot of territory to hunt in with less competition.

Sure … some of the hidden jobs will be filled internally. Or by family and friends. And so those are never really available. But networking and finding allies to help you can be the secret sauce that gets you seen … and seriously considered.

You’re still going to have to sell yourself as the right candidate. But having an inside edge by networking or cold calling or whatever it takes to get you noticed can help break the “no response at all” silence.

Most important, this is something you can do a little of every day to help your chances and to help you stay (mostly) sane. Job search can be maddening. But at least putting some of the control in your hands by taking action can make a difference.

Job search wears you down … and that can effect momentum and even how you interview. So whatever you can do to keep spirits up — and open up more chances — helps. No guarantee, but why limit your chances to officially listed jobs!