The Hidden Job Market

A common misconception about job hunting is that every vacancy will be either advertised or visibly accessible to the job hunter - WRONG! A vast and largely untapped hidden job market has emerged in recent years - jobs that are never advertised and are filled by one of three methods:

• Recruitment Consultants
  Recruitment consultants are often asked to search their files for suitable candidates.
• Direct Approach
  Companies often source people through their networks of contacts or use specialist headhunters to do this for them.
• Previous Applicants
  Previous applicants are often revisited, including applicants who have sent in unsolicited CVs.

Up to 70% of vacancies are classed as hidden, resulting in job seekers spending the majority of their time chasing the 30% of visible vacancies, where thousands of others are also concentrating their time. This makes the visible vacancies far more competitive than hidden vacancies, leaving you with less chance of getting the post.

However, now that you know about this invisible job market, you will be able to devote the right ratio of time between hidden and visible vacancies, spending more time on the hidden and less competitive vacancies that do exist. In some cases, you may even be the only applicant.

Accessing the Hidden Market

So where are these hidden jobs and how do you get to them?

Networking

The wider your network , and the more often you use it, the better it works. At a low and broad level, friends, relatives or people you meet may know where there are jobs that are not advertised. Always ask them, as their employer may be looking for staff. This search method cannot be undervalued.

On another level, your network may include fellow professionals, past employers or similar people. Networks need to be maintained regularly (even when you're in employment) to get them to work effectively for you.

See Also

For further information on accessing the hidden job market through networking, take a look at these other articles on:

• Contacting Employers by Mail or Phone
• Networking
• Registering with Recruitment Consultants
• Working with Headhunters

Graduate Recruitment Sources

Many vacancies for graduates are advertised through the usual visible means, but a significant number are not. Graduate recruiters target universities, in some instances specific universities, or specific graduate press or media. Common examples are careers fairs and the annual 'Milk Round'. In addition, university vacancy bulletins often receive vacancies the press does not.

So university careers offices are useful sources of information, and can often continue to send vacancy information after you've graduated. If you move away from the university where you graduated, you can often arrange to receive support from your local university.

The moral of the story however, is to make the best use of your university's careers facilities while you are there, no ...

Click here to read more from InterJobs.co.uk