How to Find Hidden Job Vacancies

How to Find Hidden Job Vacancies How to Find Hidden Job Vacancies Believe it or not, there are job vacancies that are filled even before they are advertised. Some jobs are never advertised at all and are filled internally by word of mouth or by networking with family and friends. This is especially true for smaller family run companies where the owners dont want the hassle of advertising the job and sorting through hundreds of resumes. They would rather just give the job to cousin Joe and save a lot of bother. The idea of a job vacancy being hidden in the first place might sound like a strange one.   How can anyone apply for a job if it isn’t even advertised?   But the fact is that for every job you see, there are often as many going vacant that you can’t see for one reason or another.   So how do you go about finding these hidden vacancies and applying for them?Why jobs might be hiddenThere are a few reasons that companies might choose not to advertise a vacancy.   For smaller companies, for example, it may be that the whole process of adv ertising takes up too much time or is too expensive.   And then there are the hundreds of resumes that they receive which may be unsuitable but all of which have to be read by someone.   Therefore, these vacancies exist but you can’t find them on any job board or on the books of a recruitment company.In fact, a large number of jobs are filled without ever being advertised because they are filled with people who contact the company directly to see if there are any vacancies available.   These jobs can also be great for job hunters as there is far less competition and it is much easier to stand out to the employer.   You might even find them through personal recommendation when you know someone within the company who can recommend you for the position.Getting recommendedThe part time jobs market is one area where there are often a lot of hidden vacancies.   Companies know they need another one or two members of staff for a certain number of hours during the week but don’t want the bother of advertising.   But if they can get a recommendation from another member of staff for someone willing to work that number of hours a week, it allows them to fulfill their requirement quickly and easily. What this shows is that the key to finding hidden vacancies is to network.   This is something we all do without realizing it.   Remember when you asked your friend for a recommendation for a plumber when your toilet broke?   That’s a form of networking â€" your friend knows someone who can fill your vacancy without you needing to look around or pop an ad on Facebook for a plumber.Why networking worksNetworking may sound like a fancy term for this simple recommendation but in essence, it is the same thing.   Your friend knows someone who has the skills to do the job you have and tells you about them.   The same thing can work with any type of job.One of the most important parts of networking is simply letting people know what you do and what you are looking for.   That way, when the situation arises, they can think of you and make that recommendation.   Say you are a graphic designer and your cousin works for a company who want to hire someone to redesign their website and create some advertising materials.   Because your cousin knows what you do and that you are looking for work, he can recommend you to his boss â€" but if he didn’t know what your abilities were, he couldn’t make that recommendation.Networking in a good wayOf course, this doesn’t mean that you need to walk into a room and tell everyone what you do.   Instead, look at chatting to people and when the topic turns to work, don’t be afraid to talk a little about what you do.   As you talk to people and see who works in industries that might feature hidden vacancies that you want, keep a note of their contact details. There is even a great way to network online â€" LinkedIn.   Often known as the professional social network, it is a great source of referrals for jobs and if you build a profile and start to build contacts, you have a better chance of finding the vacancies that aren’t being advertised anywhere.Other key networks tips include:Make your best effort to get along well with people as they are more likely to recommend you for a job if you get alongKeep a note in a diary of people who might be able to make recommendations and maybe send them a friend request on Facebook â€" that way you can keep in touch without being over the topIf you have the chance to make a recommendation, always do â€" people are more willing to help you if you have helped othersConclusionFinding hidden vacancies through networking doesn’t always pay off but it is a strategy worth employing, especially when you know people who are in the industry you are aiming to work in.   You can even approach employers directly to see if they have vacancies or are looking to fill a skills gap â€" if you have the experience and qualifications that will enhance their business, they may even make a role for you. previous article Blush and Pixie Complete Resume Pack next article Vintage Rose Complete Resume Pack you might also likeThe Best Way to Explain Your Sabbatical To a New Employer