What is the ‘Hidden Job Market’?

The hidden job market, or the “invisible job market”, refers to job opportunities that are not formally advertised or publicly broadcast but exist nonetheless. This often happens when employers either have limited financial resources or are looking for specialized recruits and prefer alternative methods to recruit them. These hidden job opportunities are well worth discovering as they tend to become filled much faster than publicly posted vacancies.

Tips For Tapping Into the Hidden Job Market

Searching for open positions in the hidden job market requires diligence and creative ways to identify potential leads. Here are a few tips to help you tap into this valuable resource:

• Network – Growing your professional network is one of the best ways to find out about job opportunities quickly. This is especially true for roles in the hidden job market which are usually filled through referrals or other networks.
• Search job boards – Job listing websites like CareerBuilder, Indeed, and Monster are helpful in discovering postings that the general public may not have seen.
• Check alumni networks – Utilizing the resources available from your alumni network can be very fruitful.
• Subscribe to company newsletters – Sign up for newsletters from companies that you are interested in working for in order to stay informed about current openings.
• Use industry resources – Every industry has professional organizations, newsletters, or job banks that businesses can use to post openings or search for potential candidates.
• Try recruiters – Recruiters are extremely helpful in identifying job openings that are not publicly advertised. They can provide valuable information that can give you an edge in the search process.

Benefits of Accessing the Hidden Job Market

The hidden job market can be incredibly advantageous for job-seekers who are intelligent enough to access it. Here are some of the benefits of accessing the hidden job market:

• Greater chances of success – Getting a job is a competitive process. By accessing the hidden job market, you will be able to access a much larger pool of potential employers which increases your chances of success.
• Shorter search times – It takes considerably less time to find a job when accessing the hidden job market.
• Improved job prospects – You can find a much wider variety of job opportunities, with roles that are not available in the public market.
• Greater success in negotiations – Since hiring managers will not be able to find another suitable candidate quickly, you will have much greater success in negotiations.

Tools to Help You Tap into the Hidden Job Market

There are a few tools you can use to help you access the hidden job market, such as:

• LinkedIn – Use this social networking tool to create and manage your professional network as well as to find job postings that are not advertised elsewhere.
• Offline networks – Reach out to people you know in your industry or look for professional events in your area to connect with potential employers.
• Job boards – Instead of relying on the major job boards, try looking for more specialized sites to find hidden job postings.

Conclusion

The hidden job market holds valuable opportunities for job-seekers of all levels and across all industries. By using the tips outlined above and investing in the right tools, tapping into the hidden job market can be a great way to find the job you’ve always wanted.