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The Hidden Job MarketHidden job market: this expression is thrown around a lot by career counsellors, executive search people, and others involved in the job market. It is widely believed that up to 70% of the positions available at any time fall into this category. But what is this market, and why is it hiding? Well, it's not as mysterious as it sounds. The hidden job market is composed of positions for which there is no advertised vacancy. These positions can become available in either of two ways:
Our own hiring adventureRecently the Job Resource Centre had the opportunity to be on the other side of the hiring process. Instead of assisting others in finding employment, we were required to hire a new employee. With our knowledge of job search best practices, we were looking forward to how we would be approached by people interested in our organization. We were willing and able to speak with people who called or showed up interested in our organization and how it is that we assist people. For our position we received over eighty applications in the form of resumes. It is not easy to distinguish the right person for a job when you receive eighty plus applications when they have not taken the time to figure out our needs and how they can help. From our experience here are some very important tips for people applying for positions: - Contact the potential employer to find out more about the position.This saves time and energy on the job seeker's behalf as well as for the employer. A job seeker may find out they are not completely interested in the position if they know a little more about what is being offered. Of the eighty plus resumes we received only three people contacted us, two were interviewed, and one chose not to apply. ( most of these people knew little about us) - Send a cover letter. We asked for it, so it was a must, and even when companies don't ask for it, send one anyway. It is a way for you to introduce yourself, and let the company know why you want to work for them.( did every candidate send one?) - Read the ad carefully. If you did not send everything that was requested (ie. Three references including your most recent supervisor) you were removed from the competition. If you don't follow basic direction in a job ad it may be a reflection of how you will follow direction as an employee. - Fit is very important! As a small team of professionals we look forthe right person who will fit well with the organization we have worked so hard to develop. Therefore it was imperative that candidates be familiar with our centre and how we operate. The best way to have a good working knowledge of our centre is to spend time in the centre, or at the very least contact us to talk about our operation. Job searching is not an easy process, but we have been shown time and time again that the shotgun approach, applying for everything advertised, is not the most effective way of finding the right employment. By targeting your job search, speaking with the potential employer, and following some basic job search techniques you will greatly increase your chances of finding not only employment, but the right employment.For any assistance with your job search please contact us at 798-JOBS (5627), come visit us at 80 Water St. Windsor, or check out our website at www.jobresourcecentre.ca . |
Emailing résumés the right wayIn this day and age we use the world-wide-web for almost anything: shopping, checking the weather, watch videos and movies, listen to music, keep in contact with family and friends, socialize and – last but not least – finding employment. There are many web sites out there that will help us find the right position and many ads will encourage sending an email with an attached résumé, but do we really know enough web-etiquette to make us safe and send a résumé in an acceptable format from an acceptable email address? Well, let me give you a couple of suggestions:
Happy job hunting to all. Assistance for local job seekersStaff at the Job resource Centre in Windsor have been very busy the past few months helping local job seekers to find direction and assistance.
www.jobresourcecentre.ca (902) 798-JOBS (5627)Many of those looking for work have already found new jobs to replace the ones that have been terminated with the recession or have at least begun to make plans for their future, training, small business, etc. The current Job Finding Club at the Centre has already had several participants leave because they found work before they have even completed the programIf you have recently been laid off, Job Resource staff can help with all aspects of the job search process, résumés, cover letters, information about employers, interviews, the hidden job market and much more. The NS Department of Labour and Workforce Development provides various kinds of essential skills training for workers who have lost their jobs in certain specific circumstances. As well, the JRC has upcoming onsite training in the works as well. As always, the JRC can help you determine your eligibility for funding to go back to school, or small business help through the EI fund.Please contact us as soon as possible to find out if you are eligible for any of these as they depend on the number of participants in order to be offered. The Job Search Process-Smart MarketingKnow Thyself!
The present labour market demands that job seekers use a hands-on approach to showcase themselves in the best possible light for each employer. This process is called self marketing. Though you may not have thought of finding a job in this way, promoting yourself and selling your skills to a potential employer is self marketing. You are doing so when you offer your resume and cover letter for a job. You cannot effectively self market if you don’t know what you have to offer. Effective job search is like planning a good vacation. You have to know where you are now, where you want to go, and what it is you want to do when you get there. Most people wouldn’t consider wasting precious vacation time setting out without directions or having some kind of idea of what they want to get from their holiday. Driving down dead end streets and getting lost is frustrating and a huge waste of time and resources. A job search with no clear direction can begin to feel just as frustrating for the job seeker. Setting goals and a realistic action plan will help you navigate your job search. The right decisionFebruary is here and I am working with people making decisions about going back to school this coming September. Nothing would upset me more than having to pay back a student loan for a course which I could not finish or one that taught me skills that I ended up not using for some reason. From our experience here at the Job resource Centre, this happens far too often. Even if you are all fired up and raring to go with your plans for the future, it really pays off to slow down and ask a few important questions first. The information you will need to make the best decisions is out there but not always immediately obvious. The educational institutions assume that you are doing your research, they won’t do it for you. So what should you be asking in order to assure that your course is going to pay off for your career planning? To know that the time and money invested will not go to waste? The three most important questions to ask? 1. Why this course for me now? |
