Seventy to 80 percent of open jobs are not published or common public knowledge, according to an NPR interview with Matt Youngquist, president of Career Horizons. This is frustrating for job seekers hoping to land a position by scouring the job boards — but now that you know, you can take control of your job-seeking future. Commit to uncovering new career opportunities through networking, researching, and tracking down new leads. Tapping into these opportunities requires a genuine and authentic approach to getting to know others in your field.
Here’s how you can get started:
1. Build your peer networking group
It’s normal to seek out a network with industry leaders like CEOs, directors, and HR professionals but overlooking your own peer network could leave an opportunity at the table. Join MeetUp groups, networking events, and reach out to like-minded professionals in your market.
For example, graphic designers can attend monthly events to trade tips and swap advice with other creatives. Aim to be a good listener. Offer unusually helpful advice like offering to look over a contract or pass on a job you heard about that doesn’t suit your expertise. The more you get involved with your local peers, the more feedback and help will come your way.
2. Create your own position
Stop wasting time sitting around and waiting to land the perfect job. If you’re trying to break into a field like marketing, offer to do pro bono work through a site like Idealist. Start a blog with research on your field and interviews with local industry leaders. Be vocal about your desire to tap into your new field and land the job. In essence, you’ll design your own marketing campaign to rally for your new position and show people you have what it takes to succeed.
3. Never stop learning
It’s easy to get left behind in your own industry, let alone when trying to break into a new one. Don’t let your skills get rusty and your motivation to push forward dry up. Attend training events and certification training in your area through a company such as Moody’s Analytics. Candidates trying to make the jump into the financial industry can take certifications and courses in areas like “Structured Finance” and “Introduction to Equity Capital Markets.” Ongoing education gives a boost to your resume, teaches you new skills, and puts you in contact with a growing peer network of students and seasoned instructors.
4. Get to know the administrative assistants
Administrative assistants have their boss’s ear, so never dismiss the support staff. Not only do they control the office calendars and respond to emails, but they will soon be moving up as they snag promotions and vie for new positions themselves.
Make a connection and try to pick their brain about what their office needs. You might even offer to mentor them through career advice if they express an interest in moving up or sharing tips on how you moved out of an entry level position.
Those are just four suggestions to get you started. Commit to thinking out of the box to get to know and connect with people in your industry or field, because after all, it’s actual people, not social media profiles or job boards, who make hiring decisions.
If you’re in a rut or looking for new ideas to rev up your job search, consider working one-on-one with Laurie. Contact her today.