Some employers prefer to hire someone who has come to them through a contact. They will post their job openings internally before advertising or seeking employees from outside the company. It is likely that employers are able to gather enough applicants for the job without advertising. As a result, majority of job openings are not advertised.
Networking increases the chances of identifying jobs in the hidden job market. The people in your networking, who might know about possible job openings in their companies, industries or communities, keep you connected with potential employers.
What is Networking?
Networking involves talking with people, formally or informally, who might be able to inform you about unadvertised job openings. Your networking contacts may not be your potential employers. However, each contact in your network has networks of their own and with their help you may uncover an unadvertised job opening.
Who Should be in Your Network?
Your network can be everyone you know socially. The minute you ask someone you know if he/she has heard about a job opening, you are making that person part of your network. Here are some people to consider:
- Family members
- Friends and neighbors
- Employers and co-workers
- Professionals within a specific industry
- Communities members
- Teammates and classmates
- Teachers, professors and coaches
- Be friendly and have a healthy sense of humor.
- Be willing to participate in activities that will allow you to meet new friends
- Keep in touch with people regularly. For example, you can call people on special occasions such as birthdays.
- Provide assistant to people if they need your help.
- Contact people in your network if you hear or see something that would interest them.
- Respond well during conversation and listen to what they say.
- Help people celebrate their accomplishments and successes.
