Spring Break
Some careers are hiding in plain sight
Carlee Brown
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: News
Jobs are received by communicating with people - even if it means doing so through e-mail. "Students and graduates should start with contacts closest to them and then branch out to alumni, friends of family, and family of friends," Asher said. It is necessary to make contact with those people whom you don't directly know as soon as possible.
"Statistically you don't have to know the person in charge at all. They just have to think you are okay. If they think you're okay just because somebody told them so, then that's more than sufficient," he said.
The best people to contact are those three to five years ahead of you and similar to you in direction. Famous and powerful people can be very poor contacts for a young person, Asher said. The job seeker should find others doing the exact job in which they are interested. They should then talk to them in an nonaggressive manner.
"A polite college student with a clear question will get an answer out of almost anybody," he said, emphasizing the importance of contacting employers while still in school. "College students are like puppies and kittens. Unemployed graduates are like stray dogs."
It is necessary to be very systematic, relatively formal, and professional at all times.
"Sometimes it's important to remind yourself that this is not a social game. This is an opportunity to show that you are ready to perform in a professional position," Asher said.
Asher's favorite way to use the hidden job market is to visit a company Web site, find an e-mail address or phone number, and inquire from there. A response made to a Web site job posting is not an example of utilizing the hidden job market. At this point, many others are replying to the posting, creating much more competition. The hidden job market is for applicants to approach individuals when they are in need of help, but have not yet taken the initiative to fill the spot. At least two weeks pass before companies begin the process required to find a new employee, Asher said.
"Statistically you don't have to know the person in charge at all. They just have to think you are okay. If they think you're okay just because somebody told them so, then that's more than sufficient," he said.
The best people to contact are those three to five years ahead of you and similar to you in direction. Famous and powerful people can be very poor contacts for a young person, Asher said. The job seeker should find others doing the exact job in which they are interested. They should then talk to them in an nonaggressive manner.
"A polite college student with a clear question will get an answer out of almost anybody," he said, emphasizing the importance of contacting employers while still in school. "College students are like puppies and kittens. Unemployed graduates are like stray dogs."
It is necessary to be very systematic, relatively formal, and professional at all times.
"Sometimes it's important to remind yourself that this is not a social game. This is an opportunity to show that you are ready to perform in a professional position," Asher said.
Asher's favorite way to use the hidden job market is to visit a company Web site, find an e-mail address or phone number, and inquire from there. A response made to a Web site job posting is not an example of utilizing the hidden job market. At this point, many others are replying to the posting, creating much more competition. The hidden job market is for applicants to approach individuals when they are in need of help, but have not yet taken the initiative to fill the spot. At least two weeks pass before companies begin the process required to find a new employee, Asher said.
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