The Hidden Job Market
& &
Networking Skills
Audrey Don
Manager
Holmesglen Professional Employment Programs

The Hidden Job Market &
Networking Skills
• Traditional job seeking strategies
• What is the hidden job market?
• Ways to access the hidden job market
• What is networking?
• Why do we network?
• Networking strategies
• Improving your English

Traditional ways to search for a job
• Seek
• Career One
• Job Search
• Australian Jobs Guide
• Jobseeker
• Recruitment agencies
• Newspapers

Limitations of traditional job seeking approach
Employers don’t always advertise.
• Time
• Risk
• Cost
• Internal placements
• Recommendations from people they know & trust

Companies put out feelers!

How does the hidden job market work?
An organisation has a job to fill.
Staff are asked to put out feelers ie do they know someone who fits the bill?
Job seekers also put out feelers for jobs.
The hidden job market is where these feelers connect.
A person may find a job that is not advertised, before it is advertised or before being outsourced to an agency.

Only 20-30 % of jobs are advertised !!!!!
The HIDDEN JOB MARKET……………is the other 70 - 80%
The hidden job market is the opportunity that most candidates miss.

How can I access the hidden job market?
The best jobs do not go to the best qualified.
The best jobs go to the best job seekers.
Unlock the Hidden Job Market Duncan Mathison & Martha Finney
Networking is the most effective means of accessing the hidden job market.

What is networking?
• Making connections with people who may have knowledge about available positions that are not advertised.
• Employers may ask current staff, professional acquaintances or even family and friends if they know of someone who is suited to the job.
If you are looking for a job – let people in your personal network know!

My personal network – who are they?
• Friends and family
• People in my community – religious, sporting, children’s school, cultural
• Previous employers
• Fellow students
• Professional associations
• Professional contacts from work experience or volunteering.
Knowing many kinds of people in many social contexts improves one’s chances of getting a good job, of developing a range of cultural interests, & of feeling in control of one’s life and health.

My professional career network
Your career network consists of people, who can link you to a job opportunity by providing you with valuable job search information by:
• Providing company or business information.
• Telling you what is going on in your industry.
• Providing referrals to people who may be able to help you find a job.
• Giving you leads on jobs coming up in the future.
• Advising you on what skills or qualities the employer values.
Diverse networks can help people to get good jobs.

Starting a career network
Step 1: GO PLACES
• Attend events, professional development opportunities, career fairs
& conferences
• Look at events advertised on your professional association websites
• Speak to people already working in the industry about how they manage their own networks.

Starting a career network
Step 2: MEET PEOPLE AND CONNECT
• Speak to people as soon as you arrive at a function
• Connect with people in a genuine and open way to show that you are interested.
• Ask questions and listen to the answers.
• Wear your name tag, give out a business card.
• Stay after the lecture and speak some more.
• Ask people what they thought of the content of the lecture or of the speaker etc

A ‘breaking the ice’ script
• How do you do?
• I‘m Audrey Don.
• What’s your name?
• Who do you work for?
• What do they make/do?
• What is your position there?
• What do you do each day?
• Does the company employ accountants?
• Where are you located?
• Are you local, national or international?
• Who are your customers / major competitors?
• How’s business at the moment?

Starting a career network
Step 3: FOLLOW UP & STAY IN TOUCH
• If you wish to have future contact with a person, follow up with them and stay in touch if appropriate.
• Don’t be pushy!
• Don’t be a pest!

Starting a career network
Step 4: REMIND PEOPLE ABOUT YOUR CAREER GOALS
AND AMBITIONS
• If people know about your aspirations, they are more likely to recommend you for new opportunities, or remember you in conversations with others.

Introductions, referrals & favours
Some elegant questions:
• What advice would you have for someone wishing to enter this field?
• Can you suggest people I should talk to?
• Would you mind if I use your name?

I’ve got a meeting!
You are there to obtain information, not to ask for a job!
• Present professionally & bring your CV every time
• Research the company & make an informed comment.
• Show an awareness of profit, products new business initiatives, industry trends & threats.
• Show your contact your target list. Ask them if they know anyone at these companies.
• Try to come away with 2 more referrals.

I’ve got a meeting!
• Wind up the meeting in the agreed time.
• Thank them for their time, interest & suggestions.
• Get their business card & ask if you can keep in touch.
• Ask if you can use their name with other contacts.
• Send a thank you email.
Networking allows a person to be evaluated by the contact even when no job exists.
It is possible that an individual can create a job for themselves.

How do I find companies?
• Become an internet expert
• Find a company name by directed searching
• Find the company website and learn all about it
• Find a contact in the company: Linkedin.com
• Make contact to find out more about the company and what opportunities there may be for you (annual reports)
• Build relationships with job agencies

Where to find companies
• Company websites
• Industry Journals
• Career Fairs (google)
• Networking events
• Yellow Pages web site: www.yellowpages.com.au
• Australian Business Directories
• Trade Directories

Your Professional body:
CPA
Volunteering:
Go Volunteer, Volunteering Victoria, The Good Company, Volunteer
Resource Centres

Plan how you will improve your English
Live the language! Love the language!
•
Use English with people you live with.
• Break out of “familiar circles”
• learn new speech patterns everyday
• Listen to English speaking radio / television
• Learn new phrases each day & keep a notebook
• ENROL IN ONE OF OUR COURSES

Bridging Course for Professionals at
Holmesglen
Increase your chances of obtaining full time employment
• Language and Australian workplace culture
• CV and job application preparation
• Interview techniques & practice
• Casual conversation
• MYOB
• OH&S
• Local work experience**

Bridging the gap…..
Professional programs for newly arrived migrants & graduates offering local work experience
- accountants - engineers
- IT & business professionals - teachers
- health professionals languagecentre@holmesglen.edu.au
tel: 03 9209 5768 www.holmesglen.edu.au/professionals