Some careers are hiding in plain sight
Carlee Brown
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: News
Responding to job postings provides employers with large applicant pools. Chances are slim for those that don't know job hunters' secrets to tracking down "hidden jobs".
The hidden job market is made up of all the jobs filled before they are posted, as well as all jobs received by people who did not respond to postings, said Donald Asher, keynote speaker of a live Web cast on campus titled, "Seven Secrets of the Hidden Job Market".
The hidden job market is big. The CareerXroads 2009 annual survey of major employers, reported that about two-thirds of people who take a position did not respond to an opening posted on the Internet and about half of all hiring is in the hidden job market.
Of all 2008 hires, 30 percent of those jobs were placed through referrals, while 20 percent of hires were found on corporate web sites.
"They aren't hiding these jobs from you and they aren't involved in a conspiracy against you. It's simply a matter of corporate efficiency," Asher said.
It's easy to access the hidden job market. Fewer contacts result in a position, and it's not as necessary (for job prospects) to look perfect on paper, Asher said. Working the hidden job market can be as easy as speaking with friends.
"The way people usually find out about jobs that aren't posted is by word of mouth from someone who is currently working here," said Coy Terry, account manager for Abacus Service Corporation. "Other times (job seekers) will call and I will let them know if I have anything coming open."
Applicants cannot be vague. They must start with a target. A very specific area of interest must be expressed and the resume must match that area.
"Employers are telling us that students don't know what they're looking for. They're not specific enough," said Angela Williams, associate director of the UA Career Development Center. "You can't just say you want a job at their company."
It is important, from the moment of first contact, to be specific when making inquiries, Asher said. He suggests asking questions such as, "How and when do you hire marketing interns? Whom would I speak to about that?"
The hidden job market is made up of all the jobs filled before they are posted, as well as all jobs received by people who did not respond to postings, said Donald Asher, keynote speaker of a live Web cast on campus titled, "Seven Secrets of the Hidden Job Market".
The hidden job market is big. The CareerXroads 2009 annual survey of major employers, reported that about two-thirds of people who take a position did not respond to an opening posted on the Internet and about half of all hiring is in the hidden job market.
Of all 2008 hires, 30 percent of those jobs were placed through referrals, while 20 percent of hires were found on corporate web sites.
"They aren't hiding these jobs from you and they aren't involved in a conspiracy against you. It's simply a matter of corporate efficiency," Asher said.
It's easy to access the hidden job market. Fewer contacts result in a position, and it's not as necessary (for job prospects) to look perfect on paper, Asher said. Working the hidden job market can be as easy as speaking with friends.
"The way people usually find out about jobs that aren't posted is by word of mouth from someone who is currently working here," said Coy Terry, account manager for Abacus Service Corporation. "Other times (job seekers) will call and I will let them know if I have anything coming open."
Applicants cannot be vague. They must start with a target. A very specific area of interest must be expressed and the resume must match that area.
"Employers are telling us that students don't know what they're looking for. They're not specific enough," said Angela Williams, associate director of the UA Career Development Center. "You can't just say you want a job at their company."
It is important, from the moment of first contact, to be specific when making inquiries, Asher said. He suggests asking questions such as, "How and when do you hire marketing interns? Whom would I speak to about that?"
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