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Thrive On The Hidden Job Market - Finding Jobs Before They Are Advertised

With jobs as scarce these days as Koala bears and Hemingway first editions, it can sometimes seem like an uphill struggle to get anywhere. With hundreds of people going for the one position the minute it is advertised, it is always helpful to know the tricks of the trade and be one step ahead of the game. There are several ways to discover jobs which are yet to be advertised and be able to get in there with your CV before anyone else even knows about the position. Here are our tips for finding out about the jobs which don’t technically exist yet… 

Get your CV there

This is a great way to give yourself as much chance as possible of getting noticed by a potential employer. If you have applied unsuccessfully for advertised positions or simply can’t find any suitable job opportunities advertised, this might be a great option for you. Target companies which are leaders in your choice of industry or the ones you wish to work with. Leave no stone unturned in trying to find out the name(s) of the 'personnel' who deal with CV’s and job applications. Address your CV to them in a handwritten envelope so they are guaranteed to open it 'personally'. Handwritten envelopes are always more likely to be opened than printed ones. If you simply mail your CV to the company address or drop it through the reception postbox, the chances are that it will never make it to the authorities for whom it is meant - so make sure to follow the tips mentioned above.

Take care with unsolicited CV’s – taking the time to write a thoughtful cover letter reduces the chances of you being seen as someone blind firing CV’s and  helps burning some bridges.

Knowing an Industry "Insider"

While this is easier said than done; with industry newsletters, networking groups and social media, it is a lot easier these days to keep in touch with an industry ‘insider.’ If you are looking for a job, the first thing you should do is join a local networking group (or several) and attend every meeting which is held. These are great places to meet people who work in your chosen field, you will get to know them over a regular morning coffee and croissant and any job positions may be discussed here well before they are advertised officially. Meetup.com offers a wealth of these opportunities.

Social Media

Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook have revolutionised the job market with many companies advertising job positions on these platforms well before they hit the papers and job websites. By ‘following’ companies you wish to work with on Twitter, you will be able to keep track of job vacancies in real time and stay ahead of other potential job applicants. Facebook is also a great medium for staying abreast with company affairs - allowing you to ‘join’ company pages and browse their latest updates and news.

Subscribe to corporate newsletters

Many companies offer a weekly or monthly e-newsletter and use this to update all their subscribers of the latest news, staff changes and job opportunities. While the fear of receiving junk mails cause many to stay away from such newsletters, by subscribing to these, you are actually receiving information that puts you ahead of the pack.

Its true that some companies don’t pay for job listings anymore and simply use social media, newsletters and their own websites to publish job vacancies - so get subscribing, following, liking and joining! Moreover all the information you would have gained, gives you an edge over others for your interview – you’ll know more than most candidates who’ve simply glanced at the company’s often neglected ‘about us’ page.

Image (c) Netvibes 

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