Fundamentals of Job Searching

The fundamentals of job hunting have not changed dramatically in the last 50 years. Job seekers still need a resume to summarize their experience, skills and abilities. Employers still expect a cover letter to accompany and introduce the resume. As in 1950, many job seekers identify desirable positions through personal contacts and networking. And, just as it was two generations ago, few of us obtain positions without interviewing with our prospective employer at least once.

Why then, we may wonder, do the tasks of selecting a career and finding employment seem so challenging -- even, at times, daunting? One reason for this, surely, is that the society in which we now look for careers and jobs feels more competitive, complicated and confusing than in the past. And it feels this way because it is this way. The reason for this has to do with the accelerated pace of change. The phenomenon of change, always a feature of human life, has itself changed. Is is occurring at a faster rate than ever before in human history. Moreover, despite our love of future-telling, rapid change makes the art of prediction hazardous for those who crave certainty about what is to come.

The Hidden Job Market

One way of finding job openings is to read the help wanted ads or research on-line job banks; jobs can be found by responding to these openings. But, these job listings represent only a limited selection of the jobs available. Many desirable positions are not advertised and their existence is never known to the general public. These opportunities make up what is generally known as The Hidden Job Market. But, if such jobs are not publicized, how does anyone find out about them? Usually through networking. Even jobs that are advertised are often filled through networkers before or while the ad appears. As you identify potential jobs, before they are advertised, and are alerted to positions that will not be publicly available at all, you tap into The Hidden Job Market. Depending on the kind of work that you do, between 50% and 80% of the positions that interest you will be filled at the "hidden" level. These successful applicants, appear to be "insiders", "people in the know", who have "special" access. You may be wondering how these jobs are snatched up by people who are no better qualified than you. The answer is -- connections. People get these jobs by networking or being part of an already existing network.

Purpose

The goal of this blog is to provide job seekers and those seeking to advance their career with tips that will aid them, as well as to present the latest news about the job market. If you are currently looking to find a job, want to advance your career or just want to keep up to date on the job market then you should subscribe to this blog.