Blog Post: 3 Keys to Finding the "Hidden" Job Market for Yourself

Certified resume and job search expert Laura Smith-Proulx, CCMC, CPRW, CIC has achieved a strong success rate coaching organizational leaders to find their next opportunity. As Executive Director of An Expert Resume with global recognition for outstanding resume quality, she is a former corporate recruiter who works with executives and IT leaders to present a powerful, compelling leadership brand.

You've probably heard numerous career advisors talk at length about the "hidden job market" and why you need to use it.

But has anyone really defined what it looks like--or told you just WHERE to find it?

Chances are, most people think of the hidden job market as just a pool of unadvertised positions that seemingly fly under the radar. However, the phrase "hidden job market" doesn't just refer to positions that aren't posted.

Essentially, this market consists of jobs that never make it to the Internet because they are in the soon-to-be-created, formative phase, PLUS jobs that are known only to company insiders.

Based on my just-released book, "How to Get Hired Faster," here are 3 ways to gain access to this vast pool of opportunities:

1 - Pay attention to timing for new jobs in development.

For jobs that are still being created, the timing is key. This means that you've got to get ahead of the game in order to land a great opportunity.

In fact, many professionals find their next position by being among the first to sniff out the potential for a new job.

One great way to do this is to look for a lot of movement in one industry, because it can create need among the companies within that field. Identify firms that are competitors to the firms you're already applying to, so that you can be first in line for new opportunities, right as they are created.

To spell it out, suppose Company A needs two Senior Sales Executives (since they have posted openings for these positions), and Company B just happens to have some.

When Company B's sales executives leave to take the new roles at Company A, who's going to fill those newly opened jobs at Company B?

YOU are, because you've thought this through and been waiting for your golden opportunity, AND you applied to BOTH companies in anticipation of this need.

2 - Consider sending your resume for a firm's NEXT open job.

Many of my clients have found positions simply by sending a resume unsolicited. What's magic about that, you might ask?

Well, having a great candidate in hand means the employer has less reasons to post a job, OR it might only be posted as a formality, since they already have YOU.

In addition, some firms struggle for a long time with a business need, without realizing that someone (you) has skills to fit that need. If you send a resume that clearly outlines how you solve business problems that match theirs, it can make quite an impact.

3 - Refresh your network--frequently--to stay in touch with future company insiders.

There's a reason everyone is telling you to get moving on your network--it's the strongest strategy that works consistently, with up to a 70% return for your efforts.

When I recruited for technical organizations, for example, we hired somewhere around 90%+ of the candidates sent to us for referral, which was far more than for any other type of applicant.

My strongest recommendation is to stay in touch with colleagues and professional contacts in any way possible. Exchange email, add them to your LinkedIn profile, or ask if they'd like to join you at a local association meeting.

When you nurture these types of contacts, the value to your career over time is quite significant, and can make the difference between waiting months during your next job search, to being selected quickly for a prime opportunity by a great company.

As you can see, there's a clever strategy to being at the forefront of job market happenings.

Being the right place at the right time can pay off in much FASTER results, with much better job opportunities--all allowing you to create your OWN version of the "hidden job market."