3 Ways to Find Hidden Job Opportunities

For years, employment studies have suggested that 70 to 80% of job openings are unadvertised. Many experts believe that trend is growing even stronger due to social media and employee referral programs. Plus, this hidden job market often contains the most attractive positions and the highest salaries.

While cracking this market requires action on your part, it’s a lot more rewarding than reading job boards and sitting by the phone. Try these proven techniques for discovering the best jobs.

Job Hunting Through Word of Mouth

Gather useful information and create mutual benefits through networking. Focus on helping others while you uncover leads.

1. Identify your targets. Research the organizations that you want to work for. Look through LinkedIn profiles and company directories for the names of key staff members. Ask your current contacts to introduce you to people they know.
2. Search broadly. You probably have more contacts than you think. Your child’s piano teacher may have a college friend who’s looking for a new accountant.
3. Attend events. The internet can be fascinating, but it’s easier to make a memorable impression when you’re face to face. Mingle at monthly professional luncheons, happy hours, and awards ceremonies. You may even find out about new business ventures while you’re chatting with other parents at your child’s school play.
4. Rehearse your pitch. Prepare an intriguing introduction. Focus on the future and what kinds of opportunities you’re looking for. You can tell you’re on the right track if others ask questions wanting to know more.

Job Hunting Through Volunteering

Community service can fill in the gaps in your resume when you’re unemployed. If you have a day job, use your leisure time to make connections outside the office. Volunteer work can add to your portfolio and give you success stories that will impress your next employer.

1. Research causes. There’s bound to be a group that matches your passions, whether you care about animal welfare or math education. Believing in the cause will deepen your connection.
2. Define your role. Volunteers do much more than stuff envelopes. Pick assignments that enable you to expand your database skills, launch a social media campaign, or plan a fundraising dinner.
3. Cultivate relationships. Strike up conversations with other volunteers and staff members. Depending on your activities, you may also have the chance to meet board members or interact with the public and press.

Job Hunting Through Creating Value Propositions

If you’ve written proposals for your employer, it may be time to write one for yourself. A compelling offer grabs attention, especially when you’re approaching cold contacts.

1. Develop your presentation. If you’re new to writing proposals, browse online for instructions or sign up for a workshop on the subject. Focus on your capabilities and how you can use them to serve the organization you’re targeting.
2. Collect testimonials. Enthusiastic references will enhance your credibility. Ask your previous clients for feedback that you can post on your website, as well as letters of recommendation that you can attach to your proposal.
3. Build a pipeline. It can take time to find a new position. You may want to pursue shorter-term contract work while you’re waiting for a more permanent offer. Keep your eye out for additional prospects so you’ll have new projects lined up when older ones are drawing to a close.

A clear strategy and consistent effort will transform you into an insider who can successfully navigate the hidden job market. Meaningful work provides greater life satisfaction, so network your way to a higher salary and more senior position.

Unfortunately, with the current state of the economy, many people are out there job hunting.They are reapplying for every open position they can find, increasing the competition for available jobs.

It’s important that you stand above the crowd. You have to prove to your prospective employer that hiring you would be adding an asset to their company.

These suggestions may make finding that job just a bit easier:

1. Social Networking. Internet social networking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter are all the rage.Many people use these sites to chat with long lost friends or find old loves, but they’re also great networking places to find employment as well!
2. The idea behind social networks is to build a relationship. That means that you’ll want to show-off your value before asking desperately for a job.
3. It may not work overnight, but these sites have incredible word of mouth possibilities, so be diligent and keep networking and broadcasting that you’re available for work!
4. Offer services for free. Okay, I know what you’re thinking: why should you offer services for free when you don’t even have a job? Aren’t you supposed to be making money with your skills and talents? Yes, but offering your services for free for can actually work in your favor and set you apart from your competition.
5. For example, are you a talented childcare professional looking to get your foot in the door of a new day care center? Are you an awesome cook who would love to work in a new restaurant in town?
6. Offer to work for them for a week for free. If they’re pleased with your work, you may be hired on the spot, or at least when they have their first available opening.
7. The most important thing to remember is you have to be a top notch volunteer for that week. You want them to discover what an asset you could be as a paid employee.
8. Write to prospective employers. Compose a letter to businesses that you’re seriously interested in. In the letter, highlight how you’ll boost business for the company and discuss what you’d bring to the table.
9. If you can convince them that they’re better off with you than without you, then you’ve won the battle. Make sure the letter is professional, grammatically correct, and confident.
10. Your goal is to make others understand why they need you as an employee, not to beg them for a job. There’s a big difference, but it’s very easy to cross that line, so use good judgment.
11. Do it the old fashioned way. In this generation of faxes and emails, your resume can easily get lost in the shuffle. Something to consider is to dress professionally and hit the pavement.
12. Introduce yourself, shake hands, and hand them a well-prepared resume package.
13. Building a relationship with someone is an important part in standing above the crowd. It also allows a manager to put a face to a resume rather than just pick a resume up off the fax machine or out of their email inbox.
14. Though it may take a bit of footwork and perseverance, this may be your perfect way to make an impression when applying for a coveted job.

Getting a job is a job in and of itself, but keep at it and your hard work will payoff.