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getTING yourself READY2wORK YOUR STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO THE HIDDEN JOB MARKET wHAT IS THE HIDDEN JOB MARKET? ---------------------------------------------------------------------Up to 80% of vacancies are never advertised and instead are filled internally, through networks, refer a friend schemes, or a willing waiting list. If you’re spending all your time on job websites (good as they are) you’re potentially missing out! By dedicating some of your time to unearthing unadvertised vacancies you will find a wider range of opportunities than traditional advertised vacancies alone. There are even more options if you are willing to consider potential work trials, apprenticeships, or placements. WHY DON’T EMPLOYERS ADVERTISE THEIR VACANCIES? The majority of ‘hidden’ opportunities are concentrated within the SME sector (small or medium sized enterprise), which accounts for 99% of all British businesses. SME’s employ fewer than 250 employees and don’t have the finances or infrastructure to compete with the big recruiters, so they’re often invisible to jobseekers as a source of jobs or work placements. THEY DON’T NEED TO! LIMITING FACTORS When a vacancy becomes available, employers can fill these pretty quickly from direct approaches, or internal networks. If you’re the lucky apprentice or volunteer who is doing an impressive job, why would they bother to advertise a vacancy? They already have you, so no need to spend time and money on a recruitment campaign and selection process. It’s a win-win. These include time or money. Many small employers, across a range of sectors –simply don’t have the resources to process the volume of applications generated by job ads. Factor in the cost of ads and they may just decide that an extra pair of hands is not worth the additional expense. But a direct approach from someone who understands the organisation, and can persuasively plead their case, may be viewed more positively. Some companies and organisations don’t know what they’re missing…..until you tell them! SO WHAT CAN YOU DO TO TAP INTO THE HIDDEN JOBS MARKET? TOP TIPS: NETworking ---------------------------------------------------------------------Essentially, networking is getting to know people who can help you develop your employment prospects. You don’t need to be a big shot or the most outgoing person in the world to network effectively. Begin with people you know, worked with previously, or are in your social network. Keep your ears open and listen for information that could work to your advantage. Like any other form of social behaviour, networking follows certain rules: • FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT – both face-to-face and via the phone or email. Always stay sharp and be professional. • DON’T ASK DIRECTLY for a job – networking is not a job fair; it’s an opportunity to gather useful information. • GIVE AND TAKE - networking is a two-way exchange; there’s no such thing as a free lunch. It may mean you volunteer with a desired employer or sector. • DO THE GROUNDWORK Even if you’re new to the game, you may have lots of worthwhile contacts you hadn’t seen in that way before: • THINK LATERALLY • Old school, college or university classmates • Your friends’ family • Your doctor or other support roles • Former colleagues or bosses • Club members or anyone else you meet socially – research your contacts before meeting them and always follow up good leads they pass on. – try to expand your network outwards, beyond your comfort zone or usual circle of operation. • PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE – getting involved in networking is being in there for the long haul; don’t expect to land a plum job at your first meeting. Networking events and conferences are good ways to build a network if you’re not sure where to start. Make sure you know why you are there and what you want out of it, and have a few copies of your CV or business cards for the important contacts you meet. TOP TIPS: Research ---------------------------------------------------------------------Research is vital in the hidden market to get ahead of the competition by acquiring key information on your target employers. Just as in the open job market, a targeted approach is more likely to bear fruit. Don’t send out 100 generic CVs hoping to strike it lucky. Draw up a list of potential organisations and work out who is the best person to contact. Tailor your CV considering the company and employee information you find out. INTERNET PHONE Use websites to find out company ethos, potential expansion plans, mission statements, employee profiles, existing job adverts in other regions and anything else that may be useful for you to know. A website may also tell you who does the recruiting, or the names of the owner(s) and heads of departments. Decide if calling the organisation would benefit you, who you are going to call, and what you are going to say. Recruitment departments are normally happy to discuss the requirements for potential staff and give indications on when they might need to recruit. Other people who may give you information are receptionists, P.A’s, marketing staff or managers. SOCIAL MEDIA NEWSPAPERS Networking is where social media, and especially LinkedIn, come in to their own. Use the company info to help you identify key personnel. Employee profiles will tell you what skills and experience existing staff have, and their individual wider network. Local newspapers can be a goldmine of information on local recruiters. The job section would usually give a name, contact number or e-mail address for a decision maker. Local press will also run stories on upcoming events, expansion plans, news items or publicity items with useful information in. TOP TIPS: Social media networking Social media can be hugely beneficial when searching for a new job, and has grown in importance in recent years. It’s essential to understand how to build a professional and up to date profile, as this will how influence how other individuals, and potential employers, perceive you. Rather than replacing formal networking, an excellent social media profile compliments the more traditional methods. LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with 300 million members in over 200 countries and territories around the globe. LinkedIn has thousands of recruitment agencies as members, live job vacancies and can play a vital part in providing key information to benefit your career. Twitter and Facebook are also good platforms for finding out key information, or speaking to companies direct which could mean you could hear about vacancies before others. Along with the benefits of social media, a poor profile can hinder your chances of positive career moves. Employers will regularly check social media when seeking potential recruits, or as an addition in the traditional recruitment process to find out more about you. Profiles become a sales document to show you are employable, and a good fit for the employer. Basic rules apply with profiles; • • • • Check spelling throughout Ensure all information is up to date Use a suitable profile photo Avoid negative, confidential or controversial information on current or previous employers • Well written and relevant posts/comments/likes Many people may ‘let their guard down’ when using social media, but the information they like, share and post can easily been seen by those in and out of their network. If you are unemployed, or hoping for a new job or promotion, take the necessary steps to make profiles private where possible. Consider what you put out in the big wide world as once you share it‘s out there forever! TOP TIPS: speculative emails THIS IS A GREAT WAY OF INTRODUCING YOURSELF TO A PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYER. E-MAILS CAN ALSO BE USED TO FOLLOW UP ON SPECULATIVE LETTERS, PHONE CALLS OR FACE-TO-FACE INTERACTION WITH POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS. Speculative e-mails should have a basic clear structure, start and finish professionally, and have your tailored CV attached. It is a common mistake for people to write an e-mail without a basic structure, but e-mail communication speaks volumes about you as a person. Don’t forget to read through your e-mail and use the spell check facility before you send it! SPECULATIVE EMAIL EXAMPLES: Good morning Dear Sir or Madam: I recently read with much interest about your company’s plans for expansion. Since the __________ industry has been an integral part of my past work experience, I was very enthusiastic to learn of your new developments. If __________ (company) requires a high-energy individual with a no-excuses attitude and is up to any task, then I’m the person you’re seeking. My qualifications and experience will enable me to fulfil your expectations. As you will note on the enclosed CV, the breadth of my expertise covers a wide area of responsibilities. I am a hard working, ambitious leader and motivator of people, recognised for flexibility, adaptability, and for a high degree of expertise in the __________ field. I am conscientious in my personal and professional life. I take pride in myself and my work, and derive considerable satisfaction from completing an assignment well. I cope well with high-stress situations and can manage a variety of projects simultaneously. My specific skills include __________. I am seeking a position that offers challenge and opportunity. I feel confident that an interview with you would affirm that I would be an excellent team member and an asset to __________ (company). When could we meet? Many thanks, __________ I believe my background provides the skills you require for this position. I would welcome the opportunity for a personal interview to further discuss my qualifications. Kind regards __________ TOP TIPS: JOB FAIRS ---------------------------------------------------------------------Job fairs are multi-employer events that allow you to meet employers at a convenient location, usually a large hotel, conference facility or community centre. It will give you the chance to meet with a variety of companies providing information about general career opportunities and specific details on current or future openings. They can be overwhelming with many people waiting to see the same employer, on-the-spot interviewing, loud noise, and sometimes mass confusion. Before you go, review our tips to help make your experience a positive one. Then take a look at some upcoming fairs in your local area and give it a try! WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES – Avoid uncomfortable high heels or brand new shoes that haven’t been broken in. Consider interview appropriate shoes that you know are comfortable. DRESS PROFESSIONALLY – Jobs fairs are like interviews, so make sure your attire is interview appropriate. Wear professional clothes, style your hair conservatively, and wear minimal makeup. TAKE CV’S – Take a supply of CV’s to hand out to the companies. Take a portfolio or a folder to hold them and any company literature you gather. PREPARE A “ONE MINUTE PITCH” – Think about your strong points, your goals, the sector, and where you want to go within your career. you reach the table. Show interest in the company and their job opportunities. BE ENTHUSIASTIC – One of the most important ARRIVE EARLY – Plan time for registering, personal attributes candidates can bring to a new position is enthusiasm and a nice big smile! NETWORKING – While you are waiting around or – A wide variety of companies will normally participate. This is an excellent opportunity to browse and indulge your curiosity. travelling and getting orientated with the layout. having a break, talk to other job seekers. You may hear about opportunities of which you were unaware. BE ASSERTIVE AND SHOW INITIATIVE – Shake hands and introduce yourself to recruiters when EXPLORE OPTIONS FOLLOW UP – Contact people you spoke to with a tailored LinkedIn invite, a follow up e-mail requesting more information, or even a coffee! TOP TIPS: VOLUNTEERING ---------------------------------------------------------------------Even if you’re looking for a paid job, volunteering is well worth considering. Along with the feel good factor from giving your time to a worthy cause, there can be some real benefits for your career. If you know what you’re looking for but you don’t have the experience, or perhaps you just want to try something new, giving time to volunteer is an excellent way to learn new skills and gain useful experience. CHOICE SKILLS & EXPERIENCE Charities and not-for-profit organisations recruit hundreds of thousands of volunteers every year throughout the UK and the range of opportunities on offer is endless. From sports coaching to fundraising, eBay trading to mentoring, volunteering is a great way to hone your career skills. As well as helping to equip you with the ‘soft’ skills that many companies look for in staff, volunteering as part of a structured volunteer programme can expose you to a range of core workplace activities, including: communication, line management, teamwork, and using your initiative. Local Volunteer Centres and online services, such as do-it.org.uk, will help match your requirements with the opportunities on offer. And whilst you won’t get paid (apart from expenses), you will have the opportunity to get involved in activities you may later want to pursue as a career. From writing newsletters to maintaining computer networks, the best way to get a new job is often through experience and the right volunteering opportunity is a rewarding way to achieve this. In fact, in certain sectors, such as health and social care or charities, volunteering can almost be a pre-requisite. Organisations are well aware that many people volunteer to gain experience for their careers, so as long as you can show some commitment, don’t be afraid to let them know your motives. CV’S AND INTERVIEWS Establishing what experience you want to add to your CV will help you identify the right voluntary opportunity. Once your CV looks more complete, you’ll find it easier to reach the interview stage for the jobs you apply for. Employers are well aware of the benefits of volunteering and recognise the initiative and commitment that can be required by volunteers. A job interview is the perfect opportunity to impress interviewers with your experiences. For further support please call Guideline: 0300 100 0303 email [email protected] visit www.affinitysutton.com/R2W