The Underground Job Network

We’ve referred to “hidden jobs” as those that are not advertised. These unadvertised job openings are out there, but the mystery for so many job seekers is just where to find them. What you need to remember is this: that employers tend to hire people they know or who have been referred to them.  

Always remember that it is people who hire people! This is why we continually push the point that in order to get noticed, you need to find the person who is doing the hiring–not submitting your resume to a company’s database via the job boards  or a company’s web site.

So how do you become “known” to these people behind the jobs? We previously mentioned trade shows here, but there are SO MANY other ways to find hiring managers and develop or expand your professional network.

Creative Research is the Key

For example, company directories, professional organizations, alumni associations, job-search clubs, small business or industry associations, and even hobby clubs, are excellent sources for contacts. In many cases, membership in some of the organizations is free.

Also, if you haven’t already, set up a Google news alert by company or industry. You will literally be sent an email as news happens.Some handy uses of Google Alerts include keeping current on a competitor or industry, as well as organizational changes being made at public companies.

The PR Newswire  has an RSS feed that you can set up to be alerted to press releases by industry .  Some smaller companies or start-ups may use the free PR services, so give them a look as well.

What type of information will a press release give you? Things like product announcements, organizational changes, or even company direction, are some of the topics covered in press releases. And, a press release always has a contact name at the bottom.  This person may be a good place to start when discreetly contacting an individual and asking for additional information…or for advice on how to obtain work in that industry. Many people, once they get to know you, may be willing to shepherd you through the application maze and break down the HR wall.

Do This / Not That

DO NOT: contact human resources (unless, of course, you’re applying for a job in that area); typically, HR is not as well-versed in an opportunity; recruiters tend to look for keywords on a resume to determine a match for a position.

DO: connect with the person you believe will make the hiring decision or can give you the most information about a position. If nothing else, try to get in front of this person for an ‘informational interview’ (never mention the job itself) about opportunities in a company that are of interest to you or how you believe you can contribute to the company’s success. For a perspective from the other side of the desk, the New York Times ran an excellent article last week entitled Helping the Job Seeker Without Hurting Yourself.

Finally, here is excellent advice from Kathleen Conners at People Hire People: 

Follow the money trail.  The major corporations are not hiring and, instead, are handing out pink slips. PeopleHirePeople demonstrates that, at one time in their history, many of the Fortune 500 companies had funding from the Small Business Administration (SBA), such as Intel, Apple, Outback, FedEx, Nike, Callaway, and Amgen. To MBA students, PeopleHirePeople’s advice has been to find a small private company and help it grow into one of the Fortune 500. Job candidates can uncover companies currently receiving some type of SBA funding for potential employment.