Hidden Job Market, job cold calling

The Hidden Job Market

Cold calling is one of the best methods to tap into the hidden job market. The hidden job market covers 60-80% of jobs. The hidden job market refers to jobs that are not advertised through traditional methods such as through newspaper advertisements. Despite this high percentage of jobs in the hidden job market, most job seekers do not pay much attention to the hidden job market and only rely on directly advertised jobs.

Your chances of succeeding in finding the right job are much higher when exploring the hidden job market, as there is hardly any competition. Even jobs that are usually advertised can be filled before being advertised, through cold calling or networking. Employers spend a lot of time, effort and money on advertising for a new job opening. So if they find the right candidate, without having to advertise or go through the trouble of searching, they will hire that person. As you would be the only candidate, you will be able to negotiate a higher starting salary.

To follow are some tips to help you explore and tap into the hidden job market:

Tap into the hidden job market by targeting companies in the industry that you are in or in the industry that you want to be in:

Cold call these companies directly, after you research these companies. An excellent source is the internet.
Job search cold calling shows that you take the initiative and you don't just wait for a job to be advertised.
Cold calling can be stressful and many are not comfortable with cold calling, but don't be discouraged after making a few calls. Cold calling becomes easier as you practice and make more calls. The whole job search process can be very stressful. Keep in mind that practice makes perfect. Cold calling companies directly can be very rewarding.
Start with the major players in the industry.
Obtain contact details form the yellow pages, internet listings, company website and/ or professional associations. Contact the department managers in those companies.
When you call a Company, if they don't have or don't expect to have any openings, ask them if they know any other companies that may be hiring. You'd be surprised at the number of people who will help and at the number of leads you'll get.
Finding a job through cold calling may not be as quick as finding an advertised job, but it is more rewarding, as the success rate is higher due to hardly any competition compared to as many as a 100 or more competitors applying for an advertised job.

Due to the high cost of advertising through newspaper ads or going through recruiters, many larger companies only post job openings on the company website. So, make sure you check the websites of those companies that are in the industry that interests you. Also, check the links on those websites, as they are usually related.

For newly created positions, if you contact a company through networking or cold calling while they are deciding to create the position, but before a decision to advertise is made, they may decide to hire you. This is another major advantage of the hidden job market.

Through the hidden job market, it is not uncommon for a General Manager or a senior decision maker to create a new job and a position for a talented, self-motivated individual who has contacted him/ her through networking or cold calling.

While serious job seekers should certainly explore the hidden job market through cold calling, they should do so in addition to other different job search methods.

More tips on accessing The Hidden Job Market