Apply For Unadvertised Jobs. Looking for a job? Don’t wait for companies to advertise. Take control and reach out directly to your favourite companies with a compelling pitch about why they need you on their team. This proactive approach could give you an edge in the job hunt.
The Job Hunt Plan for Unadvertised Jobs
When you apply for a job that hasn’t been advertised, it could improve your chances of getting it.
Why Pursue Unadvertised Jobs?
- If a job hasn’t been advertised, fewer people will know about it. This means fewer people will apply, which means less competition for that job. If the job is about to be advertised, it could mean that you get your foot in the door ahead of the rest.
- Social media trends and technological advances allow companies to find applicants without listing a position. Some companies don’t like to advertise on job sites because of the cost. Employers have found that job listings on free sites result in tons of unsuitable candidates who need to be screened. This increases the cost of recruitment.
Many employers and recruiters use social media platforms to headhunt candidates instead. They often screen applicants on platforms such as LinkedIn as there’s no cost involved.
Steps To apply for Unadvertised Jobs
To apply for unadvertised jobs, you can take the following steps:
- Network: Reach out to your professional network, including former colleagues, classmates, friends and family members. Ask if they are aware of any job openings that might suit your skills and interests.
- Cold emailing: Identify companies you would like to work for, and reach out to the relevant hiring manager or HR representative with a personalized email introducing yourself and expressing your interest in the company.
- Company websites: Check the career section of the websites of companies you are interested in. Even if there are no current job postings, you can still submit your resume and cover letter to the company for future consideration.
- Professional associations: Join professional associations related to your industry, and attend events and meetings where you can meet people and learn about job opportunities.
- Recruiters: Work with recruiters in your industry who specialize in filling unadvertised job openings.
- Employee Referral Programs: Check if the companies you are interested in have an employee referral program and reach out to your contacts in the companies to learn more about the process.
Finding the Hidden Job Market
The ‘job market‘ refers to the current state of employment opportunities available for job seekers. It is a dynamic system that is influenced by various factors such as the overall state of the economy, technological advancements, demographic changes, government policies, and global events. The job market can be divided into two categories: the open market and the hidden market.
1. Advertised Jobs: What is the “Open Market?”
The open market includes all publicly advertised job vacancies, either through job boards, recruitment agencies, or company career pages. Job seekers can easily access and apply to these job openings through various means such as online applications or in-person interviews.
2. Unadvertised Jobs: What is the “Hidden Market?”
The hidden market refers to job opportunities that are not publicly advertised. These jobs may be filled through referrals, networking, or internal promotions within companies. Job seekers often have to rely on their personal networks and contacts to uncover these hidden job opportunities.
Job Market Employment Factors
1. Employment Categories
The job market can also be categorized by the type of employment opportunities available. The most common types of employment include full-time, part-time, temporary, and freelance or contract work. Each of these employment types has its own advantages and disadvantages, and job seekers should consider their personal circumstances and career goals when choosing their preferred employment type.
2. Job Market Influencers
The job market can also be influenced by factors such as job demand, job supply, and job competition. High-demand jobs are those that are in high demand by employers due to a shortage of skilled workers in that field. High-supply jobs, on the other hand, have an oversupply of qualified candidates, making it more competitive for job seekers. Job competition can also be influenced by other factors such as the number of job seekers in a particular field and the level of education or experience required for the job.
Overall, the job market is a complex system that is constantly changing and evolving. Job seekers need to stay up-to-date with current job market trends and adapt their job search strategies accordingly to increase their chances of landing their desired job.
Unadvertised Jobs: Hunting Strategies
Unadvertised Job Strategy Tip: Raise Your Online Visibility
Improving your visibility can increase opportunity.
Good job hunters create opportunities for jobs to find them. Job hunters must be visible and actively engaged in finding work or they fall to the competition. Try these tactics to make yourself more visible:
Get Out There!
How to Hunt for Unadvertised Jobs
5 Steps to Activate your Strategy to Find Unadvertised jobs
1. Networking Turns You into Fresh News
- A network is a group of people you know, the people they know, the people they know… and so on.
- Everyone has a network. Ask your network about unadvertised jobs they may know of. They could let you know how to apply for that job before it gets advertised.
- Join industry-related groups. Join associations, Chambers of Commerce, meet-up groups, networks, Toastmasters, etc., Start building contacts before you need them. If you have the expertise to share, volunteer to be a speaker.
- Talk to industry insiders or stalk them on social media! Keep up to speed with what is happening in their spaces so you know how to adapt or increase your efforts. Break out of your usual pattern and focus on learning something new. Your next big opportunity may be in a space you never thought possible, but you’ll never know if you don’t explore.
2. Cold Call the Top 10 Organisations You’d Be Willing to Pay to Meet
Of course, you’re not going to offer to pay them! This just means you’re selecting companies that are worth your while pursuing. “Cold calling” means contacting companies directly to ask about vacancies. If your approach is right, they’ll listen. If not, chances are high that someone may be rude. No worries!
Cold calling can be scary, but most people react well and even offer encouragement and further leads. If you’re polite, very few people in business will bite your head off. Cold calling is worth all the trouble in the world if it gets you a job or even just an interview. Try our tips, strategies and templates to help you start your networking strategy.
3. Be ‘Newsworthy’ To Attract Unadvertised Job Opportunities
- Be a source of information in your industry. Send individual contacts within your network links to articles of interest once or twice a year. Let your name be associated with good information and make yourself seen as a valuable, well-read resource. Don’t spam them!
- Pay attention to the news. Stay on top of any local business journals and TV news for information on what’s happening with companies in your area. If you hear someone interviewed on the radio, send them a note that you appreciated what they had to say and would like to get together over coffee to share ideas.
- Use LinkedIn wisely. Keep your profile up-to-date, and refresh it regularly. Join groups and participate in discussions so people become familiar with your name and look for you. Recruiters and companies often purchase memberships that give them a ‘back door’ to see who is active in their field and what they are saying, so be certain to keep your discussions positive and constructive.
4. How to Find Unadvertised Jobs in Trending Industries
- Search company “Careers” pages. Research and target companies you are interested in — most companies will post on their own website and never go to outside job boards or recruiters. Some companies have internal referral programs in place, so existing employees make referrals and remove the need for the company to conduct a formal search.
- You must know what scarce skills and trending industries are in order to understand how to use them to your advantage.
- Build and maintain relationships with recruiters. Update your CV every few months so you can send the latest version to them.
5. How to Carefully Target Your Job Search Strategy:
Remember that this is a strategy, which means the actions below will take some time to pan out:
- Pick the companies where you would like to work;
- Send companies you want to work for it with, a persuasive pain point cover letter
- Research the organisation to find reasons why you want to work there;
- identify what you can relate to and like about the company;
- identify the decision-makers, or people high up enough to know the decision-makers. Connect with them on LinkedIn. Send them something they will appreciate, an article or anything that would add value to them.
- Please don’t reach out to ask them for work in your first few communications. Comment positively on their posts and reshare anything that you think is worthwhile. Once they’ve responded to your input 3-5 times, direct message them with a request for a brief chat. Ask if you can call them or video call, and do your pitch quickly.
Make someone’s life easier and eventually, you’ll be the first person they think of when a job becomes available.
I’m no fan of recruiters so if you can’t find a job as one, in my opinion, it’s probably a good thing! 😉
The biggest change you can make is to consider how you contribute to the world and use social media to share ideas, inspiration and industry insights.
No one is looking for a profile, they are looking for a person – so make your information engaging and interesting.
Thank you Leonie Hall for such useful information. Please review my profile and advise on any changes I can make ? https://www.linkedin.com/in/nqobile-myeza-39556954/
Thank you Leonie for such useful information. Please review my profile and advise if any changes need to be made? https://www.linkedin.com/in/nqobile-myeza-39556954/