Breaking into the Hidden Job Market

If the job market is hidden, how do I find it?

 

Most jobs (75%) are not advertised in the newspaper or posted on the Web. This "hidden job market" is reached by networking your way into it. Here are some resources other than the obvious ones (family, faculty, friends, etc.) that you should consider:

1) Professional societies and industry organizations
2) Conferences and trade shows
3) Participate in online discussion groups
4) Read business and industry news

 

1) Professional and industry associations and societies are very useful for job seekers. Most of the national organizations are listed on the “major” pages on this website. There are also smaller regional groups, such as the Michigan Biotechnology Corridor. Don’t just join as a member:

  • Go to Meetings. If it is a national organization with a local chapter, or a local organization, go to a couple of meetings to see who is there and what they do. (Don’t stop at just one meeting!)
  • Join Committees - the best way to meet people is to join one of the association's committees. It will provide a great source of networking contacts. Ideally, it will also give you visibility and the opportunity to demonstrate your expertise as and establish a good reputation.
    • Both program and membership committees offer you a good excuse to call potential employers and get contact names ("Hi, my name is Jane Xith. I'm calling for the Zoology Society's program committee, and I'd like to invite your museum's Director of Exhibits to attend our next meeting to speak to us about...")
  • Follow through on your commitments. It's a great way to build your reputation.

 

2) Attend conferences and trade shows
Check out the exhibitors to see who they are, what they do, what their new products and services might be, and, with luck, what jobs they may have. If nothing else, you will be meeting people and gathering information.

  • Volunteering to help set up a show is a great way to get some quality time with a company.
  • Remember that businesses attend trade shows as part of marketing their products and services. Don't get in the middle of a potential sale.
  • Pick up company marketing literature as well as one of each business card they may have sitting out. Use this information later in informational interviews.

 

3) Participate in online discussion groups
There are thousands of email discussion groups, each based on a specific topic. Find a topic that interests you, and join the list. They can be an excellent source of information and contacts. (Be cautious about believing everything you read, however!).

 

Don’t dive in with a question. "Lurk" for a while (just monitor the postings) to see what the rules of conduct seem to be. When you decide to participate, be sure that your posting is well written (good grammar and spelling) and on topic.

 

You'll have the greatest success by being a resource to others. If you ask for help but don't provide any support in return, you look like a "user." Look for ways you can help others, and the help will come back to you.

 

Find searchable lists of groups to join at:

 

4) Read business and industry news
Look for companies that are expanding into new markets, announcing new products and services, and/or buying large ads - they may be hiring more people. This can also give you information you can use when approaching contacts, to demonstrate your interest in their company.