Where Are The Jobs?! Insight into the Hidden Jobs Market

Original draft written for the 'Norwich for Jobs' project. Published link to follow once the new website is up and running.

Whilst job boards are both extensive and a great way to identify vacancies that suit you, they are certainly not the only way despite what the digital age of today will lead you to believe. Are you aware that a reliance on job boards and advertised vacancies online restricts you to an estimated 40% of available positions? Getting a foot in the door of the hidden jobs market can be a long, drawn-out process with a frequently low response rate – but on the other end of the scale, such an approach can prove significantly rewarding and tailored more extensively to the industries, positions, and organisations that are of interest to you.

It is true, jobs are tough to find and even more difficult to obtain due to increasingly strong and broad competition. One of the most recycled, though indeed important sayings as you begin your venture into the working world remains – “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know”. This is, largely, due to a tendency for companies to recruit internally as a first port-of-call once a position rises. Should no suitable candidate come from such an approach, job advertising is often played out as a last resort. Internal recruitment is a significantly more cost-effective, time-effective route to take. So, how do you stand a chance? The answer is speculative applications.

Don’t wait for a vacancy to find you, get yourself out there and find it yourself. A speculative application is a process of finding the contact details of the recruitment manager or department of an organisation you wish to work for; putting together a CV and cover letter (just as you would for any application); and sending a query as to whether any suitable positions happen to be available for you. Sounds unlikely, yes. But should there be an opportunity, your approach has demonstrated research, initiative and confidence – all qualities valued by employers.

Never be put off by an offer of ‘work experience’ at a company really suited to you. With the jobs market as competitive as we find it at present, voluntary work experience is extremely worthwhile for numerous reasons. First, you get an opportunity to prove yourself in a working environment within an organisation you have selected; secondly, if your network of contacts is distinctively empty, there’s no better method for gaining ‘inside’ influence; thirdly, if the experience wasn’t to lead to a paid position – it is always, at very least, a fantastic addition to your CV. A positive reflection on both your desire and willingness to work, which can only lead to an increase of opportunity.

Networking is one of the most beneficial activities a jobseeker can do – you never know who you might meet or what it might lead to. Careers fairs, voluntary work, community involvement and speculative applications are all great tools for networking. Information interviews signify another beneficial course of action to take – that is, simply contacting those in a particular industry asking for information or guidance. This could refer to making yourself employable, finding a job or being a success in a particular field. The content is not the most important aspect, it’s the initial effort to make contact that can prove pivotal. These people were all in your position once, and are often more-than-willing to assist. The more you network, the more doors open.