Find Work the Easy Way
through Unadvertised Jobs!

It's important to understand that there is always a hefty sum of unadvertised jobs or hidden jobs in your field that are yours for the taking – if you can find out about them in time!

This "hidden job market" is made up of all the hidden jobs out there, jobs that are either not advertised anywhere, or at least not advertised fully such as through one of the major job posting sites.

There are as much as four times as many jobs in the hidden job market as the regular or visible job market for many occupations.

So when you look for work in the hidden job market, you are accessing a much larger supply of jobs – a huge pool of unposted vacancies, or at least jobs that are not widely advertised on the internet.

And these unadvertised jobs are in much less demand because so few people even know about these openings! Compare this with many advertised postings where so many people apply that some resumes never even get a second glance.

So why look anywhere else? Well, that sounds a bit extreme. Of course there are many other great ways to find employment, but focusing on finding unadvertised jobs offers many advantages.

The Hidden Job Market Saves Time and Money

Of course, searching the pool of unadvertised jobs saves you money and time – you’ll find work faster and start receiving a paystub sooner than if you rely completely on only the more passive job search methods such as posting resumes online.

Employers also save time and money from unadvertised jobs. It’s expensive to do certain types of advertising, and it takes time to undertake this initial stage of the recruitment process – time that is always in short supply.

A lot of larger companies and unionized environments follow highly-structured procedures, but many smaller companies don’t.

Why not just send an email out to your contact list if you’re an employer in a pinch and need to find someone really quickly?

That’s a very efficient way to get some resumes through people who you already trust and are very familiar with.

Accessing Unadvertised Jobs

So how do you access these hidden jobs? There are many ways, but my favourite method by far is through “warm contacts.”

What Are Warm Contacts?

The term warm contacts simply means people you already know.

This ranges from your best friends and closest family members (often your warmest contacts) ...

... to previous co-workers and supervisors ...

... to acquaintances and social or work friends ...

... to people you’ve only met once online or at a loud late-night party but who could nevertheless introduce you to their networking contacts in an encouraging, supportive manner.

Why Are Warm Contacts So Important?

Warm contacts are important because they break down barriers and often create strong, meaningful links with new people. The key element is the “relationship of trust” between your networking contact and the new person they introduce you to.

Why I Prefer Warm Contacts Over Cold Calling

In my job searching, I’ll take warm contacts over cold calling any day of the week!

Although cold calling often works quite well in many job markets and economic conditions to find unadvertised jobs, most people detest it, especially if, as usual, it is conducted over the phone.

So if possible I always suggest to my clients looking for unadvertised jobs that they start with warm contacts. This often works, making the dreaded cold calls unnecessary. No more cold calls! What a relief!

Relationships of Trust Break Down Barriers

Picture this: You’re a recent immigrant, new to the country of city. Or, you’re a recent grad with little or no hands-on work experience in your field.

If you approach an employer through an internet posting or even through cold calling, she may simply see you as a stranger.

She only has your resume and possibly a brief discussion with you to determine if you’re worth meeting with again.

She’s very busy, so why bother taking the time to meet with a total stranger? Sounds downright scary! :-)

But if a family member, friend or even a remote aquaintaince works there and personally refers you to that hiring manager for consideration, that’s a whole different story.

Then, there’s a relationship of trust that is being placed at risk to some extent by that referral.

Your friend or family member is to some degree putting her reputation with her employer on the line by recommending you. At the very least, she could be ashamed or embarrassed if you are hired and it doesn’t work out.

But it’s even more basic than that. Put more simply, human beings take time to trust each other.

So if you can get linked up to employers and their unadvertised jobs through friends, former co-workers or just about anybody – even someone who just started working for them a week ago – you have a distinct advantage.

Why? Because you've created an "in" or entrance for yourself, whereas the vast majority of other applicants and candidates for that position are completely on the outside looking in.

People feel more comfortable with you. You’re not a complete stranger anymore, an alien to feel suspicious about.

No, you’re someone’s friend, and that’s enough to trust you a little more than the other applicants and be willing to risk getting to know you and what you can offer them.

And that’s often enough to start building a relationship with them that will soon win you the job. :-)

Coming Up Next: How to Work Your Warm Contacts to Find Work Fast!


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