Most of the Best Jobs are “Hidden”
Posted August 22nd, 2011
For many recent graduates, and even for some experienced professionals, the idea of networking is something that goes against the grain. They expect a kind of equal opportunity system, where all jobs are advertised, where there is a level playing field.
They find it somehow improper that people can get jobs just by connections.
But, as much as we may like to believe that all jobs are advertised, the unspoken reality is that many jobs are not in the public domain, or the hiring managers already have someone in mind for the job even before they interview candidates, according to career strategist John Lees.
Conventional wisdom has it that about one-third of all jobs are filled through informal connections. In many industries, it could be a lot higher. This way of finding great employees – and finding jobs – is called the hidden job market.
Employers face conflicting pressures, Lees says. On the one hand, they want to be open and see who they can get for a job. But on the other hand, employers are guided by an even stronger desire – they want to know who they can hire fast and without risk. So, to minimize the risk, they look at people they already know.
So, if you’re pursuing just those positions that are advertised, you’re taking more of a passive approach to a job search. Finding a great job is more likely to come through making connections through and to people the people you know.
You need to connect with as many people as possible. But networking is not about self-promotion or an old-boy network, according to Lees. It is about making new discoveries. If it feels uncomfortable, as if you think you are using people, or that you are humiliating yourself, it means you are not going about it in the right way.
Real networking is not just about you, but about discovering things, gaining knowledge, and making connections.
The hidden job market is not a fair one. But if you think that the job market is available to all on an equal and equally open basis, you are only going to extend the amount of time it takes to find a job. Plus, you may miss out on some of the most intriguing opportunities. The best way to help your career is to ask yourself the question: Who else should I be talking to?
Some people with whom you definitely should be chatting are the recruiters at Bayside Solutions. We have many upon many connections with some of San Francisco’s top companies and we can help you market your skills and qualifications to them. Contact us today!
