Get Hired Faster By Changing Your Job Search Strategy
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.