Finding hidden opportunities
Finding opportunities in the hidden job market involves two steps:
- identifying employers who may have opportunities (now or in the future), and
- approaching employers directly to promote yourself
Note: Finding a job in the hidden job market doesn’t mean it’s yours for the asking. It’s rarely just ‘who you know’; it’s also ‘what you know’. You may still have to compete with others – just not as many, as fewer people know of the opportunity. Sometimes with casual or time-limited work, you may be offered something without competing with others.
Identifying employers to approach
To identify employers, you can ask people in your network for leads, or you can research using sources such as online business directories.
Networking
Networking for job seeking means asking people in your network if they know of anyone who:
- might have any work opportunities (current or potential)
- might know someone who might would know of any work opportunities (accessing your network's networks)
- would be a useful person to talk to about job seeking in your field
1. Know your network
Your network includes everyone you know, both personally and professionally. Consider everyone – the most unlikely people may be well connected!
Approach the task by thinking about the people you know in the various ‘spheres’ of your life – family, friends, workmates, student peers, teaching staff and so on. It is useful to sketch out your network; we tend to underestimate the extent of our networks and overlook individuals who could be helpful.
Useful contacts for new grads which may be overlooked:
- graduates from your year – many will be soon working in organisations of interest to you (some will have Employee Referral Programs where employees are rewarded for referring high quality job seekers to the organisation)
- parents of friends – they are at an age to be in management roles and to have well developed professional networks (and know you well enough to make an effort to help)
- current employers – while your part-time job may be in telemarketing, customer service or data entry, if you work for a large organisation, talk with HR about professional opportunities.
2. Build your network
Networking also means making new contacts to build your professional network.
Strategies for building your professional network:
- Join a relevant professional association. Become active in the association so you get to know people. ‘Active’ might mean attending seminars and events, but also consider volunteering for committee work. Associations rely a great deal on voluntary efforts of members so help is welcomed. (Lists of professional associations are in Online Career Tools - Career Research).
- Attend our careers events and introduce yourself to alumni and employers; if appropriate, make contact later
- Undertake work experience while still at Uni
- Join an online professional networking site such as LinkedIn.
3. Use your network
The key issue is to develop a state of mind where you’re open and willing to tell everyone what you’re looking for!
You need to be clear about what you want and express it succinctly. Even with friends, plan and rehearse some words.
For example:
I’ve started to look for graduate work. What I particularly want is a position in the finance department of a large organisation. Do you know anyone who works in this area? Do you think your parents might know anyone I could talk to about this?’
Don’t be shy about networking – it is widely practised. People enjoy helping others, so give them the opportunity to feel good about themselves!
Researching
It is not necessary to have a contact or lead to approach an employer. You can identify organisations by researching and then ‘cold calling’. Some suggestions:
- Use online business directories such as the Yellow Pages.
- Search online to find lists of employers in specific fields (lists will come from a various of sources e.g. government, industry and professional sources).
- Check out Professional Associations – some have lists of member organisations.
- Use Careers Online – this offers a database of organisations who have advertised positions directly to University of Melbourne students, and so are likely to be responsive to direct approaches. Click on Browse Organisations in the left hand menu.
- Search your favourite news sites and forums to access topical information about your industry, including what companies or organisations are doing or planning and the people involved that you might want to speak to.
Approaching the employer
How to approach
Your approach can be by phone, email or, in some cases, in person. The choice will depend on factors such as size of the organisation, the culture of the industry, and what you are comfortable with.
It is generally best to aim for a discussion with the employer about possibilities rather than asking a ‘yes/no’ answer – particularly for an employer who you are really keen on.
- Whether you intend to email or phone, make an initial call to find out whom you should direct your enquiry to.
- If emailing, indicate that you will be contacting later by phone (in a few days perhaps) to talk further. An email approach alone is rarely enough.
- If phoning, give the option of making a more convenient time to talk.
What to say?
It is important to think about what you are going to say and the best way to say it before you make contact.
Phone contact:
Though you can’t prepare the whole conversation, here are some ways in which you can be prepared:
- Prepare and practise your introduction (clear, brief and engaging)
- Think about a connection to the employer that you can use in your introduction e.g. you’ve read about them, heard them speak at a careers function, read an article by / about the organisation, or someone at Melbourne Uni has suggested you contact them.
- In particular, be prepared to talk about why you have contacted the organisation and what you have to offer.
- Think through how you will handle any resistance (‘we have nothing available’; ‘you need to speak to our HR Department'; ‘I don’t have time to talk’)
Example of a phone introduction:
Hello. My name is…..I have been given your details by/I read about you in/my lecturer suggested I……
I am a recent graduate of the University of Melbourne and I’m looking for opportunities in ……I realise you may not be employing at present but I’m really keen to find out more about your business……
Do you have time to talk at the moment? Or perhaps I could make a time to drop by and talk then?
Email contact:
- Emails need to be focused and also attention-grabbing. Do not include every possible point in your favour - the aim of the letter is to interest the reader to be open to further conversation.
- Indicate that you will be phoning in a few days to discuss further. You should ideally try to make a time to meet in person.
- There are no set ways of writing a direct approach letter, however the format below provides guidelines
Example format for email:
PARA 1: Reason for writing
State clearly and briefly your reason for writing. Don’t beat around the bush or start talking about yourself before you say why you’re writing. Include a point of connection to the organisation.
‘I am writing to inquire about work opportunities with your firm………..I have been given your details by / I read about your firm in……..’
If looking for work, be clear that you are. But give yourself ‘somewhere to go’ by referring to broader aims (as above)
‘I realise you may have nothing at present but I am very keen on …..I’d really appreciate…..’
PARA 2: Introduce yourself
Introduce yourself with an overview of your qualifications and experience – start with the most relevant aspects e.g. if your education is most relevant then open with that..
‘I am a recent graduate.....with an Honours degree in……..’
Link your request to your career plans and motivation for the industry, organisation and/or role which you are seeking. Mention the general area of work which you are seeking (not too specific, not too vague).
‘I am strongly committed to a career in....and would love the opportunity to work with...........I am particularly wanting to…..’
PARA 3: Promote yourself
Focus here on two or three key skills or assets which you believe would appeal to the employer and relate the sort of work you are seeking.
Dot points can be used appropriately here:
‘My skills and experience include:
- Proven ability in writing for a range of media including print, radio and online sites.
- Experience in working within a busy media office – I have completed two internships (each of one month) with The Age and with News Limited working for Cairns Post
- Well developed skills in using a range of publishing and communications software including QuarkXpress, InDesign, Dreamweaver and Photoshop.'
PARA 4: Next moves
Indicate what you would like to happen next. Do not rely on employer responding to email; it is usual to make a follow-up call. Alert them to your intention to do this in your letter and an inquiry is less likely to be neglected.