Finding the help we need to tap into the “hidden jobs market”
Let’s get a little more perspective on what is often called the “hidden jobs market”. 750,000 job vacancies in the UK go unfilled at any given time but for various reasons, most of these vacancies are not advertised (note 1). We all need certain skills and know how to tap into these opportunities.
This is not to say that we should not apply for jobs online. People still do get jobs that way. But understand the challenges. Careers expert Corrine Mills, in her best selling book “You are hired: How to Write A Brilliant CV” explains these challenges well. In the first place, these advertisements are so visible, you could face stiff competition from hundreds, if not thousands of applicants. This, of course, lowers your chances of being selected. Secondly, many online applications are never seen by human eyes. Specialist software is used to sift through and shortlist CVs that feature specific keywords. If your CV does not include these specific keywords, it would be discarded. So you never get your chance to impress. Finally, there are, unfortunately, agencies out there advertising non-existent jobs, just to boost their candidate database. It can be difficult to ascertain just how genuine and current some jobs advertised online truly are.
Is it any wonder that jobseekers can spend hours, days and even months applying for jobs online, with little or no response?
So how can we get the help we need to boost our chances?
As a starter, make a list of everyone you know: relatives, friends, neighbours, members of your church, club or any other organization you belong to. Then follow Corrine Mills’ good advice:
“No-one will give you a job just because they know you. but they will tell you about potential opportunities or people you could contact. Be clear about the role/organization you are looking for and ask anyone and everyone you know if they have got any advice for you or ideas on who you should contact. This is a highly successful method of job search! Remember to keep your contacts updated on your progress and feed back to them if they have put you in touch with someone they know. “
Sometimes, our immediate networks can’t or won’t do the job and we need to develop and nurture new relationships in the careers we are most interested in. This can seem daunting – but it is essential. It will not only help us to learn about new unadvertised job opportunities; these relationships can help us to do well on the job and progress in our chosen careers. If, like me, you find the very thought of “networking “ daunting and off putting, do have a read of Corrine Mills’ book. She has excellent advice for you.
Penny Carballo-Smith
August 2017
Penny Carballo-Smith is the executive director of the social enterprise Future Think, and co-founder of the Caribbean STEM Coaching Club, a joint venture between Future Think, the Caribbean Diaspora for Science, Technology and Innovation-UK and the British Foundation of the University of the West Indies.
Notes
1 https://www.futurethink.info/2017/12/11/the-hidden-jobs-market-is-awash-with-opportunities/