Hidden JobsHidden jobs is a term that many job seekers use when describing opportunities that aren’t posted on the major resume boards or in the newspaper. We would contend that the jobs aren’t hidden the candidates are. Perhaps better stated, if your resume isn’t where the company looks you will never even be considered for a position because you didn’t know about it. So the job isn’t hiding, you are. Let’s say you hire your neighbor’s, best friend’s cousin to rewrite your resume. Then you go to the mega job board and posted your new and improved resume. The problem with mega job boards is they charge employers extraordinary fees for the right to search for your resume on their site. If an employer isn’t willing to pay the sites subscription fee there is not way that you will be found. Even if the employer does subscribe to the site, only a small percentage of candidates will be magically discovered because today’s recruiters have been taught to source based off of key words. The hidden job will remain hidden because resumes don't contain a specific keyword that they have been told to serach for. Here are a few options to consider…..develop your own marketing campaign! Create a good (professional) profile on FaceBook, then search for “friends” that work at the company you want to work for. Invite 10 of these people to become your friend – at least three will respond. Then start putting tasteful teasers on your wall indicating you are on the job market, what you do and what you want to do. You can also send private e-mails asking them to forward your resume to the appropriate hiring manager. Here is an idea on how to approach them: Most importantly consider building professional relationships before they are needed is a key element to tapping into the hidden jobs market. A strong internal or external Peer Referral will open more doors to hidden opportunities than the best written unsolicited resume ever will.
What makes this story even better is that Bob had two job offers from old customers within the week. Yes, these offers were “hidden jobs” because the position only became available once the customer learned that Bob was available. He didn’t have to post his resume and entertain unwanted calls. No interview was necessary as his new boss had experience his dedication to service and attention to detail in action first hand.
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