The Hidden Job Market
On spec CVs and letters
If you’ve got a shortlist of firms you want to
work for, fire off on-spec applications,
tailored individually to each firm, together
with your CV. Keep your letter succinct and
try to show real focus in wanting to work
for that particular organisation. Many firms
keep files of such letters to help with
recruiting, referring back to them for posts
as they arise.
Recruitment agencies
It’s worth getting to know recruitment
specialists and agencies in your chosen
Where to find those unadvertised jobs challenges and it’s competitors. You should
field – many will hear about jobs long before
and tips for getting your foot in the also identify named contacts within the
they’re advertised and will look to place
door of your dream job. firm, as well as their responsibilities, so
hand-picked candidates. Register with them
you can contact them directly. While
and try to arrange a face-to-face meeting -
Have you always harboured that feeling you’re looking at a firm’s web-site, make
do your best to impress as these people
that the best jobs are never advertised sure you check out its vacancies page.
are the crucial link between you and an
and only go to people with inside Some organisations send out email
employer. Once they know what you’re after,
information? Well, you may just be right. vacancy lists for graduates, so sign up if
and where your skills and qualifications lie,
possible.
they can help find the employer that best
The fact is, some of the very best
suits.
graduate jobs never make it into the job
“Approximately 70
ads - instead they’re snapped up early by
Cold calling
those in the know. Many firms would much
per cent of graduate
It’s not easy to do, but cold-calling potential
rather take on a good candidate who’s on
employers can reap big dividends. Simply
hand and is a known quantity, rather than level jobsare not
ring up a manager and ask what jobs they
having to bear the cost and time of
might have available now or in the future.
advertising and interviewing.
advertised.”
You can use the phone to your advantage
to win potential employers over with your
Maria Lucio, Associate Consultant Network, nework, network
charm, knowledge and professional
Psychologist for assessment and career All successful business people network to
manner. You may get short-shrift, especially
coaching specialists Chromis Consulting some degree or other – and you should be
if your contact is busy or on a deadline. If
says: ‘Many graduate level jobs are not no different. Try to get to know what job
so, simply ask them for a good time to call
advertised - approximately 70 per cent opportunities your friends, family and
back.
infact. Therefore jobseekers need to be acquaintances can help with – it’s amazing
both creative and adopt proactive what you can find when you start digging.
Ideas, suggestions and leads
approaches in their search for vacancies.’ Also make sure you go along to trade
Any firm worth its salt will welcome fresh
exhibitions and any presentations,
ideas and new ways of doing things. It may
Here we look at the best ways of getting roadshows or talks an organisation may
be a cost-saving measure that no one has
unadvertised jobs. hold – they’re all a great way to make new
thought of, an ingenious invention or a lead
contacts.
on a new contract, but your input could
Graduate careers exhibitions
land you a job. Even if the organisation
There’s no better place than a careers Work experience and internships
doesn’t want your idea, it may well see the
exhibitions to get scores of recruiters in Even if a firm doesn’t have a job for you
value in someone who’s gone beyond the
one place at the same time. You can right away, they may take you on as an
norm in terms of enthusiasm, ability and
quickly and easily visit any employer you’re intern or for unpaid work experience.
commitment and consider you for a
interested in and find out what the work Many businesses jump at the chance of
position.
is like and what jobs are available. Some free labour – and once you’re inside an
firms will even do most of their recruiting organisation it’s up to you to prove that
Internal promotion
at exhibitions rather than advertising you deserve a full-time job there. Be willing
Another way of getting the job you want is
vacancies, so the opportunities are great. to do anything – such as making the tea
to take a lower position at a firm and work
Make sure you take along some CVs and and photocopying – but also volunteer for
your way up. This could mean starting out
dress smartly. Also keep any business more demanding duties to showcase your
as an admin assistant or temp, with lower
cards you get and follow talents. Build a reputation of doing
pay and responsibilities, and then proving
up on your contacts with phone calls and whatever is asked of you.
your worth and ability to do better things.
e-mails. Visit www.gradjobs.co.uk for more
However, you’ll not only have to be good at
careers exhibitions information. Visit www.work-placement.co.uk for
your own job, but also work extra hard to
information on the two National Work
be good at everyone else’s as well if you’re
Power of research Placement Exhibitions this autumn.
going to get noticed and promoted.
Use the internet to thoroughly research
your target firm, using not just the
company’s own website but also any blogs, Cut straight to the core of great jobs at
discussion groups or newspaper and trade
The National Graduate Recruitment Exhibitions this autumn:
journal archives.
12 & 13 October 2007 - Olympia 2, London
2 & 3 November 2007 - Hall 11 NEC, Birmingham
Get a thorough understanding of the
organisation, it’s people, it’s work, it’s
For fast-track entry register at www.gradjobs.co.uk
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