4 Ways to Tap Into the Hidden Job Market

How to turn yourself into an insider and snag a position before it’s posted

November 4, 2010 RSS Feed Print

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Talk to everyone—even strangers—about your job search. It's crucial to log off your computer, get out of the house, and talk to people, face-to-face, about your job search. "Tell every single human being what you're looking for, and ask 'who do you know?'" says Asher. "When you start asking, the connections can be wacky." Dog walkers, cab drivers, and hairdressers "are some of the best sources because they talk to a lot of people," he says. "It's all about information, not about power." It's important to look beyond your close friends for job leads, because they usually have the same knowledge as you, says Asher. So instead focusing only on your Facebook friends, try chatting up people in line at the coffee shop.

Tags:: employment,; economy

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I do agree Carol that looking for a job online is tough and frustrating. I can't agree that it is a waste of time. The last three jobs I've held all were found online. However, I am entering a new field now, so I have to come up with new and creative ways to land the job I want to work. I really don't think you can ever have too many "hooks in the water." Good luck to you and everyone else in here looking for a job. I hope you succeed!

Heath of FL 11:31PM August 14, 2011

I'm empathetic to those looking for a job in this climate, I was one of these folks with a family to support and no full time job. I'm sorry to the person who commented the internet is a complete waste of time. To be honest, it depends on what type of advertisement you're dealing with. You do have to take the time to be extremely detail oriented when it comes to the advertisements. There are a great number of fraudulent ads floating around out there. In order to seek these out, I literally took a few lines and used Google or other Dogpile to search the internet for similar ads elsewhere. If I found duplicates in multiple states, pretty much I skipped over the ad and discounted it as a fake ad. If an ad mentioned a specific company's name, I went to the actual company website to see if the position really existed on their website or called the HR department and explained I was verifying whether or not they had an opening based on an internet ad. If it truly existed, I applied at the company website. I also did the networking thing with professionals I knew in the local area. To be honest, it was a combination of networking and the internet application which lead me to my current position. I used to live in California L.A. County (11.7% unemployment in Dec 2010) and moved to Florida (11.6% unemployment in Dec 2010). So with the support of family, many revisions of my resume, a lot of effort, willingness to flex income negotiations due to the economy, and willing to take a nontraditional industry role, I'm at work. I hope this helps others do the same...

IIP of FL 11:42PM August 09, 2011

I happen to catch a show on tapping the hidden job market and decided to do a google search on it. And here I am. I am looking for work. I am a truck driver. I have been in the industry for almost 7 years. But, early last year I hurt my back on the job leaving me permanently disabled. I am in constant pain. Even driving puts me in severe pain. But, as I have told others. Sure I have qualifications to work a desk job. I fail to see the difference between sitting in a truck or behind a desk. Either is going to hurt me. So, after a year and half of looking for something outside my regular work. In all my years as a truck driver it has been mostly labor intensive positions. I delivered everything from beer to pastries. Hand unloaded and delivered to multiple stops everyday. Unfortunately, I find that these types of jobs are a dime a dozen. If I was physically able to still do the work I would be working. Now, the jobs that don't require the physical aspect of driving are few and far between. So, this article definitely puts some perspective on it. I have applied and sent out 8-10 resumes a day. No bites. Nada nothing. I do get former co-workers call me with leads and usually those are the best leads. But, I am not qualified for those position as of yet. That being said. I am attaining the qualifications so I can follow up on those leads and possibly starting my own business outside of regular work. You have to be open and willing to adjust to changes in industry as well as disability. I may have a handicap that prevents me from getting alot of jobs. But. I am willing to do all that I can to move forward and keep the money flowing.

Pat of CA 1:10AM June 06, 2011