What exactly IS the Hidden Job Market? Some would have you think they have the keys to a treasure chest full of jobs that are not advertised anywhere else and that, in order to access them, you need to buy their book or enroll in their classes. This isn’t the case. The term “Hidden Job Market” (HJM) simply refers to the ‘leg up’ that you’ll have as a job seeker if you do your homework in advance and learn about openings before they hit the general population.
Networking is key to uncovering the HJM. Making sure that all the people in your life (family, friends, professors, neighbors, parents of your friends, folks from church, high school friends, etc.) know that you are looking for a job and what you can do and conducting informational interviews with professionals already in the roles you seek are both effective strategies to tap into the HJM.
Employers typically use their networks to source candidates for their opportunities, so if you are known to someone in their network, you have a greater chance to learn of the opportunity early! One of our colleagues, Steve Sellars, has a great saying … “If you’re always doing the right things, eventually you’ll be in the right place.” Keep networking, keep researching, and keep targeting your resumes and cover letters. You’ve got this!
If you’d like assistance with job search, please make an appointment in Handshake with one of us! We’d love to help you figure out your ‘best next steps!’
Events and Webinars, click here. Head over to our YouTube channel to find previous workshops and employer information sessions.