A Secret Resource for Finding "Hidden" Jobs

In both of my books, RELAUNCH! and The Ultimate Job Finding Solution, I focus on the importance of finding "hidden" jobs. These are jobs that most people don't know about. They're not listed on job boards or other places where potential job seekers typically look. In fact they may not yet be posted at all. Sometimes an employer knows a vacancy is coming up, but hasn't yet acted to fill the job. Or maybe the vacancy just happened and the search hasn't begun. In some instances there is also a thought about creating a new position, but no action yet.

In Chapter 13, "The Hidden Job Market" of RELAUNCH! and in Chapter 4, "Searching for A Job" in The Ultimate Job Finding Solution, I discuss a little known tool to begin the search for hidden jobs. You first need to know the geographic location where you want to work and the occupation you are looking for. It's also helpful to know the type of work environment where you will best thrive, which will make a win-win for both you and the employer.

Go to the Business Finder and enter the occupation and location. Click on search and you will find detailed information about all of the organizations that hire people in the occupation you entered. By clicking on the organization you can get even more detailed information including a contact person. This type of information gives you what you need to make phone or in-person contacts with potential employers before other applicants get to them. Some won't have jobs available, but some will, and you may not need to wade through a lot of competitors to get to a person who makes hiring decisions. Some may have jobs posted on their business website, but you may fare better by using a direct contact method. This type of "cold calling" has been cited as one of the highest yield methods of finding jobs. If you can get to talk to a decision maker and make a good impression you can potentially bypass all of the competition. Further, even if a job is not available you may have opened an opportunity for a future job and added an important contact to your network.

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