Why does it seem so complicated to find the job you really want?
Usually, the harder your job search becomes, the more likely you are to believe that you’re lacking the skills or experience you need. But that may not be the case.
It’s widely accepted that 75-80% of open jobs are actually part of the Hidden Job Market. This means that they are available jobs, but they have not been posted anywhere. You can’t find them on job boards or company websites or LinkedIn.
Why are there so many hidden jobs? Think about it. When someone gives notice to their company that they will be leaving their position, there are a few people who know the job will soon be vacant. Depending on the size of the company and other variables, it often takes several weeks, or even longer, for Human Resources to prepare the job description and post the job.
For busy HR professionals, the goal is to find the best person for the job in the shortest time possible. Their time is consumed with so many other responsibilities that they want to spend as little time as possible sorting through resumes and scheduling interviews. They definitely don’t want to waste time interviewing the wrong candidates. Every day it takes to find a new employee costs the company more money and costs HR their valuable time.
With this in mind, if you were able to present yourself as a qualified candidate to them before they go through the process to post the job, you would save the company significant time and money. You would also have a competitive advantage, because not only are you meeting a need that they have, but you’re also making their life much easier.
So now you’re probably wondering how you go about finding these hidden jobs before they get advertised to the masses. Networking is a brilliant strategy for finding positions that have not yet been posted. In fact, it is the number one way people get hired! That’s why I’m always encouraging you to connect with and build your network. The more people you know, and the more people who know you, the better your career opportunities will be.
The best case scenario for finding a hidden job is that you have a friend or acquaintance in the company who hears about the job becoming available. However, if you have no connections in the company, you have to find another way to get your information in front of the right people. If you don’t have a personal connection, the next best approach is to make a connection with the organizations you would like to work for.
The first step in this process is to research companies and discover which ones have a culture and mission that align with your own. Working for an organization that you connect with on a personal level will increase your job satisfaction and your productivity. When you find a company that seems to be the type of culture you are looking for, research different positions within the company. You want to look for ways that your abilities and experience would benefit the organization, as well as jobs that inspire you. As you find companies and jobs that interest you, make a list of people to contact.
The goal is to communicate with the person who would supervise the department you want to work in, so that is who you are looking for as you research. If you can find an email address for a person in the department, you can prepare a cover letter and resume to sell your skills for the job you want. LinkedIn is another great tool you can use to connect with high level management that otherwise might be challenging to reach. An added benefit of using LinkedIn to contact potential employers is that many Recruiters use the platform to look for candidates.
Be sure to update your LinkedIn Profile before reaching out to the company to make sure your qualifications are clearly expressed. Next, work on writing a concise note of introduction. A professionally written message that briefly expresses what you have to offer can open the door for further communication.
After you have found a way to connect with the appropriate individual, all you need to do is craft a compelling cover letter and a resume with essential key words for the position you are seeking.
As you connect with the right people in the companies you want to work for, you position yourself for jobs before they get posted, and you give yourself an extra advantage before the interview process even begins!
Want more tips and strategies for developing those business relationships and communicating effectively through your cover letter? Check out my Courses!
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