1. How to Land the Perfect Job, Part 3: How to find the 'Hidden' Jobs,
This thread started yesterday after I made the comment that 80% of the job market is 'hidden'.
If you want to catch up on Parts 1 & 2, here they are:
Part 1, Mindset:
This thread started yesterday after I made the comment that 80% of the job market is 'hidden'.
If you want to catch up on Parts 1 & 2, here they are:
Part 1, Mindset:
2. Part 2, Basics:
This is Part 3, and we'll focus on how to actually crack the hidden job market successfully, and then in Part 4, we'll talk about how to ace your interview.
There is a LOT of information to cover, and I could be her for days,
This is Part 3, and we'll focus on how to actually crack the hidden job market successfully, and then in Part 4, we'll talk about how to ace your interview.
There is a LOT of information to cover, and I could be her for days,
3. So, I'm going to focus on the top things that will make the most difference, but rest assured, there is an endless list of tips to help you crack this.
However, you likely won't need them if you put these into practice.
Let's go!
However, you likely won't need them if you put these into practice.
Let's go!
4. Hidden job tip #1:
Work with a head hunter, preferably more than one.
A good headhunter is going to know exactly what is going on in your industry.
So, they'll have contacts and information that you won't have access to.
Work with one.
Work with a head hunter, preferably more than one.
A good headhunter is going to know exactly what is going on in your industry.
So, they'll have contacts and information that you won't have access to.
Work with one.
5. Now, in chatting with them, I've heard it is acceptable to work with more than one, as long as you're not pitting them against each other, but if any headhunters want to weigh in on this, or give any other tips, I will retweet under the #hiddenjobs
That one is ours!
That one is ours!
6. #hiddenjobs tip #2: CALL and email the companies you're interested in.
Remember, the jobs aren't listed, that's why you haven't heard about them,
So proactively start reaching out to the companies you're interested in.
You can also use @LinkedIn in here to find them.
Remember, the jobs aren't listed, that's why you haven't heard about them,
So proactively start reaching out to the companies you're interested in.
You can also use @LinkedIn in here to find them.
7. What do you say?
Well, #hiddenjobs tip #3 is to develop a 30 second elevator speech that you can use when talking to them or when you're asked what you do.
It should:
-explain you're looking for a position
-what you're looking for,
-And, most importantly, why you.
Well, #hiddenjobs tip #3 is to develop a 30 second elevator speech that you can use when talking to them or when you're asked what you do.
It should:
-explain you're looking for a position
-what you're looking for,
-And, most importantly, why you.
8. That last one is the most important:
You should always be ready to explain why someone should pick you over anyone else.
Modesty is NOT your friend here.
Nor is bragging, but a healthy confidence will make you immensely attractive to employers.
You should always be ready to explain why someone should pick you over anyone else.
Modesty is NOT your friend here.
Nor is bragging, but a healthy confidence will make you immensely attractive to employers.
9. Remember, you're reaching out to both the HR departments AND the managers or execs of companies.
When I worked at Nordstrom in my early 20's, that was one of THE secrets to getting hired there:
If you put your resume in with Customer Service (HR), it never saw daylight.
When I worked at Nordstrom in my early 20's, that was one of THE secrets to getting hired there:
If you put your resume in with Customer Service (HR), it never saw daylight.
10. BUT, if you put your resume in with them, and THEN went and talked to the department managers and left THEM a resume also, you would get hired almost immediately.
I know, I know...you don't want a job at Nordstrom, but you get the point.
ACTIVE outreach to everybody is key.
I know, I know...you don't want a job at Nordstrom, but you get the point.
ACTIVE outreach to everybody is key.
11. Now let's talk about networking:
#hiddenjobs tip #4: You have to network, but what does that actually mean?
Let's break it down: It simply means reaching out informally, or less formally, to people you already know or have a connection with.
#hiddenjobs tip #4: You have to network, but what does that actually mean?
Let's break it down: It simply means reaching out informally, or less formally, to people you already know or have a connection with.
12. So, 'networking' is going to get broken down into several sub-categories.
The first is reaching out to people you know or have worked with previously.
Call them. As in an actual conversation.
Ask about THEM first. Be interested in THEM.
The first is reaching out to people you know or have worked with previously.
Call them. As in an actual conversation.
Ask about THEM first. Be interested in THEM.
13. If it NATURALLY comes up, then mention that you're looking, and ask if they know of anything.
But, don't force the issue.
True story that @nicknanton told me years ago (apologies for butchering the details)
But the head of a major film studio lost his job.
But, don't force the issue.
True story that @nicknanton told me years ago (apologies for butchering the details)
But the head of a major film studio lost his job.
14. I think it was MGM.
He went on to form Paramount.
Everyday, he would call 10 colleagues.
Actors, directors, producers....everybody.
Just....chat 'em up.
If it came up, he'd mention that he started a new place, and he'd be happy to look at anything.
He went on to form Paramount.
Everyday, he would call 10 colleagues.
Actors, directors, producers....everybody.
Just....chat 'em up.
If it came up, he'd mention that he started a new place, and he'd be happy to look at anything.
15. That LAUNCHED Paramount to what it is today, because eventually projects began to fall into his lap.
You can do the same.
While we're at it, why not make it a habit to get a drink once or twice a week at a bar near the companies you want to work at?
You can do the same.
While we're at it, why not make it a habit to get a drink once or twice a week at a bar near the companies you want to work at?
16. You might learn what's happening there long before anybody else does, and you MIGHT make a connection there that lands you your job.
I've seen this used successfully MANY times.
I've seen this used successfully MANY times.
17. Networking continued:
You absolutely should be attending trade shows, conferences, and formal networking events that cover your industry.
Plus, you can also join a formal networking group like @ExecuNet
You absolutely should be attending trade shows, conferences, and formal networking events that cover your industry.
Plus, you can also join a formal networking group like @ExecuNet
18. But the key is to get out of your house, and get in front of people who can either hire you directly, OR point you to who CAN hire you.
Networking tip #3 (or 4, I lost count): volunteer.
I would look for higher end events where the wealthy and decision makers are found.
Networking tip #3 (or 4, I lost count): volunteer.
I would look for higher end events where the wealthy and decision makers are found.
19. #hiddenjobs tip #5: Use direct mail to your advantage.
THIS is a killer tip:
Send letters explaining what you're looking for (or better yet, a postcard) and what you bring to the table to the HR departments AND managers of the companies you want to work for.
THIS is a killer tip:
Send letters explaining what you're looking for (or better yet, a postcard) and what you bring to the table to the HR departments AND managers of the companies you want to work for.
20. Do this whether they're hiring or not.
Stop and think about it: the MINUTE a job gets listed, hundreds of applications come pouring in if the job is halfway decent.
How do you stand out?
It's tough. Resumes might get computer scanned and not looked at, or only get 15 secs
Stop and think about it: the MINUTE a job gets listed, hundreds of applications come pouring in if the job is halfway decent.
How do you stand out?
It's tough. Resumes might get computer scanned and not looked at, or only get 15 secs
21. BUT, if you come in BEFORE the job is listed with a letter listing WHY you want to work there and why THEY would want YOU,
You literally have NO competition.
None.
I would go one step further, and send a postcard on goldenrod paper with the same information.
You literally have NO competition.
None.
I would go one step further, and send a postcard on goldenrod paper with the same information.
22. Why?
Because mail gets sorted over a wastebasket. And the most important part of getting your mail read is getting it opened and looked at before it gets tossed in the trash.
A golden rod postcard stands out and has your message right there.
&, it's cheaper than a letter.
Because mail gets sorted over a wastebasket. And the most important part of getting your mail read is getting it opened and looked at before it gets tossed in the trash.
A golden rod postcard stands out and has your message right there.
&, it's cheaper than a letter.
23. You may think this doesn't work, but I promise you it does.
Remember what I said in mindset: Your job is to find a job. Work as hard in the search as you would in the actual job.
(and, yes, it sucks......I know.)
Remember what I said in mindset: Your job is to find a job. Work as hard in the search as you would in the actual job.
(and, yes, it sucks......I know.)
23b. And the reason to use direct mail with a letter or a postcard is precisely because EVERYONE ELSE USES EMAIL.
Seriously, how many emails do you receive in a given day?
They get more, I promise you.
Now, how many personal letters do you get in a month?
Exactly.
Seriously, how many emails do you receive in a given day?
They get more, I promise you.
Now, how many personal letters do you get in a month?
Exactly.
24. And there you have the Top 5 #hiddenjobs tips to get you employed at your dream job in nothing flat.
To recap:
-Work with a headhunter
-Call potential employers (not just HR, but managers as well)
-Have a 30 second elevator speech
-Network
-Use the mail to reach out.
To recap:
-Work with a headhunter
-Call potential employers (not just HR, but managers as well)
-Have a 30 second elevator speech
-Network
-Use the mail to reach out.
25. Apparently, you can only do a 25 tweet thread on Twitter desktop.
Anyway, these tips are golden.
Seriously, think about it.
Companies want employees that have drive and ambition, and showing up in a unique way will make you stand out.
Anyway, these tips are golden.
Seriously, think about it.
Companies want employees that have drive and ambition, and showing up in a unique way will make you stand out.
26. If you have any suggestions, please add them to this thread, and be sure to use #hiddenjobs when you're posting them, and I'll retweet it.
Next up, I'll address what to do when you get that job interview in Part 4.
Either tomorrow or Tuesday.
/end, for now.
Next up, I'll address what to do when you get that job interview in Part 4.
Either tomorrow or Tuesday.
/end, for now.
