Myth of the Hidden Job Market
According to “hidden job market” data, 80% to 90% of jobs are never advertised. Were this true, job seekers should spend no more than 20% of their time searching and applying online for jobs and the other 80% of their time networking to find those hidden jobs.
Many people still accept this myth as the way things are even though it originated in the 1970s and 1980s. Given what you know about the Internet and social media, does this make sense to you?
According to LinkedIn, SilkRoad, and other sources, at least 40% of new hires are found through online channels, and this is growing exponentially.
3 Elements of the Sweet Spot Job Search Method
Having landed all of my jobs by applying for advertised positions, my approach to job search differs from prevailing advice.
Rather than focusing only or primarily on networking, you can increase your chances of landing a job through an effective combination of three elements, in this order:
- Diligent Online Keyword Searches, Daily Alerts, and Applications. This process can help you discover and articulate what you can and want to do; then find, apply, interview, and land sweet spot jobs. The power of doing this well is vastly underestimated.
- Superior Marketing Materials. Successful online applications require exceptional resume(s), cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles.
- Networking With Purpose. Focusing on quality vs. quantity means connecting and establishing relationships with people for specific reasons and making time for thoughtful preparation and follow up.
3 Types of Online Job Sites
There are three types of online job sites today, but this could change as recruiting practices are evolving quickly. Here are examples of each.
- Job Search Consolidation Engines: Indeed, ZipRecruiter
- Branded Job Boards: LinkedIn, CareerBuilder, Monster
- Company Career Website Pages: Many job postings in #1 and #2 redirect you to apply on company career pages.
Cast a Wide Net for Keyword Searches
Online job searches are essential if you are a Hard-to-Define Professional with a wide variety of transferable skills that don’t fit into a clearly defined vocation. They are also critical if you’re not sure what you want to do next or want to make a career change. They also work for standard searches.
Early in your transition, use online searches to explore possibilities, discover promising directions, and learn how to market yourself. While you learn about options, it doesn’t matter where jobs are or when they were posted.
As you find interesting jobs in any location, capture keywords and phrases that are consistent with work you’ve done, and match what you might want to do in your next position. Use these treasures to create your LinkedIn profile, resume, and customized cover letters.
4 Tips for Online Searches
- Be playful and experiment with a wide range of filters and search parameters. Start with divergent ideas to consider an expansive array of possibilities.
- Include positions from any geographic location and posting date in your research.
- Experiment with combinations of words in the job title field. Search functions on job boards respond differently to using “and” and “or” between keywords and quotation marks around them.
- Search for generic titles that can apply to a wide range of organizations and industries (e.g., communications, coordinator, executive, marketing, program manager, project manager, specialist).
- Over time, as you learn what interests you, narrow your search parameters and develop a shorter list for saved searches and daily alerts.
5 Tips to Set Daily Alerts and Fish Every Day
- Once you save searches and set daily alerts, search engines and job boards are fairly accurate in showing you only the new postings and recommendations since the last time you looked.
- When you know what you’re looking for, zero in on your target location(s). Save keyword searches and set daily alerts in your zip code plus a 25- to 50-mile radius.
- Be diligent about reviewing daily alerts. You can quickly scan hundreds of jobs each day based on titles and one or two lines of text.
- If you are looking for a niche position, you might go several days without finding anything to apply for and then find a few shining stars on other days—including weekends, holidays, and all summer.
- Apply quickly (ideally the same day) to new job postings to increase your chances of getting noticed.
Catch a Shining Star
Following this process over time generates opportunities that will fulfill your needs, preferences, and aspirations. The ultimate outcome is finding work you love.
Read Losing Your Job & Finding Yourself: Memoir, Myths, and Methods for Inventive Career Transitions to learn more about the Sweet Spot Job Search Method to find work you love.