Get Hired Faster By Changing Your Job Search Strategy
By Gary Hawkins
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".
| 
About BTH
User Agreement
Privacy
Site Map
Contact
Advertise Here
News Feeds
Free Downloads
RSS Feed
Career
