Get into the Secret Job Market for an Amazing Career

You can easily find thousands of jobs online. It’s quick and easy to apply, but they all produce hundreds of applicants. How can you possibly compete with that? Big job boards have a place in every job search strategy, but you also need to get into the secret job market to find the jobs that 99% of your competition will never even see.

Focus on Where You Want to Work, Not Who Appears to Have Job Openings

Since “secret” jobs need to be discovered, narrow your focus to the companies that you really want to work for. Make a list of 20-25 companies,  and start developing a plan to secure a job with them. Use you networks, or your parent’s networks, to find people who work for your target employers. Ask your AppleOne hiring advisor for access to our Navigating the Hiring process guide, which contains scripts for how best to reach out to these people. During your meeting be sure to ask if they know of any jobs that might be right for you and find out who else they think you should contact.

Attend Those Marketing Events That Are On Campus

Do you see flyers around campus or in the career center that advertise a networking event or a guest speaker from a company of interest? These are events you need to attend. Yes, they allow you to meet other people who have similar career interests, but they also allow you to meet people in person that can help you identify jobs before they become public. Never miss an opportunity to meet someone who has connections, and don’t be afraid to ask them questions, or even hit them with an elevator pitch regarding what you are looking for. You’d be surprised how many interviews and hiring’s start with a simple handshake.

Build Up Your LinkedIn Network

LinkedIn can help you in two distinct ways. First, it allows you to grow and nurture a network of professionals that can alert you to new job openings, while giving you advice on how to secure them. Second, it can help you identify and connect with people who work at, or with, your target employers. The latter will help you get an interview even before the job is discussed externally.

Make It Personal: Use the Phone or Introduce Yourself in Person

Email and texts have their place, but they aren’t always the best choice for a job search. Let your personality shine by picking up the phone to talk to a human being at your target companies. This makes you harder to ignore, and gives you an opportunity to ask follow up questions, and even develop a relationship with the person on the other side of the phone. If you feel extra confident, you can do your inquiries in person, which allows you to put an immediate face to the name. In both cases, have your resumes ready to go, and have your elevator pitch down pat.