How to find your dream job in the 'hidden job market'
- Step 1: "Why the best jobs are never advertised – and what to do about it"
- Step 2: "Finding a job in the hidden job market"
- Step 3: "How to give outstanding informational interviews"
- Step 1: "Why the best jobs are never advertised – and what to do about it"
Listen carefully, this may be the most important fact in your whole job search: most experts agree that only 30% of all new jobs are ever advertised. That means that somewhere around 70% of new opportunities never make it to the job boards. The even scarier part of that statistic is that typically the more senior the position, the less likely the job is to be advertised. So, how do all these jobs come about and what does the mean for you?
The answer to the first question is networking. Networking is one of the most misunderstood and maligned words in the English language. Think of networking and the image of a dreadful reception full of strangers eating oversized canapés springs to mind, followed by hiding in the bathroom. However in the job search, networking should actually mean a focused process to find the next opportunity. It involves using and expanding your circle of connections to spread the word about what your ambitions and aspirations.
There’s an old saying in my family that success is about knocking on enough doors until the right one opens. Putting together a networking plan for a job search will help you knock on the most doors possible and help you identify which ones to prioritise. There are three basic steps to creating a robust networking plan:
1) Mapping out and expanding your network
2) Creating and delivering your message
3) Following up, and informational interviewing
The first step is to map out your existing network. Your network includes almost everyone you’ve ever met for more than a fleeting transaction (your barista at Starbucks may be part of your network if you’re on first name terms). We are certainly talking about family, friends, acquaintances, colleagues, ex-colleagues, clients, ex-clients, your children’s friends parents, members of any clubs or organisations you might have joined and people in your social networks online. Start out by taking time to figure out who is really in your network and don’t let yourself believe that “I really don’t have a network”. Everyone apart from the local hermit knows other people. Put together a list or spreadsheet of people in your network.
Step 2 is to get contact information for your network. Ideally you will need their email address and telephone number (although practically speaking in the 21st Century an email address is usually sufficient). A great way to do this is through an online networking site such as Linked In. You could also use your email address book to go through this process. Pull together the contact information in one or two places so your network is easy to contact.
Step 3 is to segment your network. Think of an archery board for this; who are your closest and most trusted allies who are most likely to help you? Who makes the outer bullseye – the next level of closeness.? Try to segment your network into 4 or 5 levels of closeness (typically, the further removed from the centre, the more people will fall into that category). Once you run your search, we’ll start from the middle and work out.
So far, so painless! You should now have a well recorded and segmented network. Now go back and challenge yourself to make sure you’re not missing anyone obvious, or any groups of people who may be able to help. At this point, don’t worry about the number of people you have, as the power will come in your network’s network and who they know.
Good – you’re now ready for step 2 in finding those hidden jobs– creating and delivering your message. Tune in next week to read more!
By Hiren