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Opening up the ‘hidden’ job market

Did you know that over 60% of jobs are never advertised? Disheartening isn’t it?

Before you give up hope completely and consign your CV to the waste paper bin in despair, here is some advice on how you can tap into this ‘hidden’ job market with a bit of ‘networking’

It isn’t just about breakfast clubs, special interest groups or people pretending to be A-list celebrities. Networking is now recognised as a key part of your career progression with businesses just as likely to be interested in who you know as what you know.

So, what is networking?

‘Network. n. interconnecting group of people’.

That’s what it says in the dictionary. Put simply, it’s a way of making contacts, building relationships, asking for people’s advice or help and giving them a chance to help you. Networking is a powerful and important job-hunting technique and is often particularly good for finding jobs at their earliest stages; for example, where a manager may be identifying the need for new staff and has not yet advertised the position. In this sense, it can sometimes mean the difference between success and failure. Recruiters love networking because after internal promotion, it is often seen as the most reliable and cost-effective strategy for hiring.

There are no limits to the networking you can do. You can network morning, noon and night. You can even network online. The way the ‘old boy’ network does business is being given a high-tech makeover. A recent story from the distant realms of Silicon Valley shows a growing number of start-ups emerging there specifically aimed at helping individuals and companies cash in on who they know. Using the Internet speeds up a user’s ability to access contacts and to make more connections that he or she would have done in the real world. This world isn’t just the enclave of those already in the business. It has the potential to provide a gateway for the student, a way in to your career of choice. Start with your college’s own alumni association. You can also surf the Net looking at websites such as http://www.kellysearch.com/ This isn’t a conventional job search engine, but could prove invaluable if you are looking for recruiters in a certain sector. Each company listed has its website and other contact details listed, so you can follow it through and look to see if they are recruiting. The good thing about this website is it brings up the smaller companies you might not normally hear about unless you were already working in that sector.

Essentially, online networking operates in much the same way as ‘real world’ networking: the old-fashioned way of bringing ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ together. The ‘haves’ are essentially the people who have the resources you want; they are the employers/recruiters, who have the jobs and the power to hire people. You, the student, or the ‘have not’, are making contact to fulfil your search for the right job, and to provide what the ‘haves’ need; remember, you are a crucial resource in your own right.

Building a network

Follow these five key steps to help you build a successful network:

1. Decide who to approach

Start by developing a list of potential contacts, then build up your confidence by contacting people you know, such as:

  • friends and relatives
  • other students, researchers and graduates
  • tutors, lecturers and superiors
  • colleagues at work or contacts at conferences.

2. Choose the right contact

For your network to be effective, you will need to choose the right contacts in the right positions, so go for:

  • the highest level contact you can
  • the career area you want to find out more about
  • the type of employer you would like to work for.

3. Arrange a meeting

Your main aim when you make contact with someone is to try and secure a meeting. Always ask for a short meeting, as it is more likely that they will be able to accommodate you. When you know a person well, it is satisfactory to call them to arrange to meet up. However, if you do not know the person directly, then it is advisable to write and follow this up with a telephone call a few days later. You should always mention the name of the person who referred you, as people will take more notice of your letter or call.

4. Plan what you want to say

Before your meeting, plan ahead and think what you want to say and what you want to achieve. In the first instance, you should gather information rather than ask for a job outright as you are unlikely to get offered it! Instead, ask for advice on the market, where the jobs are advertised, what to expect at interviews, feedback on your CV or the opportunities available for part-time work or work experience. You may also find that you get further referrals to other people or companies, which will help you build your network.

 5. Finally, follow up your meeting

Don't take people’s time for granted! It is a good idea to write a follow-up letter to the person you had the meeting with, thanking them for their time and the advice they have given you. A gesture like this can make you stand out from the crowd. You should also note down the key points from the meeting and document any names you have been given so you are ready to follow up new leads.

Although the advantages of networking may not be obvious immediately, regular networking will extend your list of useful business contacts and raise your personal profile. It is not always about being offered a job, although your job prospects will be enhanced by knowing people in the right places. The chance to develop stronger interpersonal skills through conversation and participation in meetings as well as exchange opinions and views with others will be invaluable learning experiences when it comes to the world of work. In addition, once you start your career, your network could prove a useful source of support when faced with new challenges.