Careers4Graduates.org

Hidden Job Market

Many vacancies are never advertised - perhaps 70% or more.  Some companies don't want to pay expensive advertising costs.  Others receive so many speculative applications that they don't need to advertise.  Smaller firms may prefer to recruit someone who has been recommended - ie through word of mouth.  

You can tap into this hidden jobs market by making speculative applications.  See How can I apply for jobs that are not advertised?

How can I identify employers to contact?

• by reading the papers to find out which companies are expanding, relocating, developing a new product or service.  National newspapers will contain articles on industries, commercial sectors and specific organisations - see Vacancy Sources
• by researching company websites for information about opportunities
• by finding out about the first destinations of former graduates from your course.  Higher education Careers Services are required to gather information about the first destinations of their students in the year after graduation.  This information will give you an idea of the types of company which might employ you. In most cases, this information is available on the careers websites listed in Information Sources
• by using employer directories such as:

              Gradireland
              Graduate recruitment annual directories eg Prospects Directory and  GTI Guides
              Professional Institution directories listing member firms (engineering, law, accountancy)
              IPA Yearbook
              Professional Directories eg PR, Media, performing)
              General directories giving products or services and turnover (eg Kompass, Kelly's)
              Who owns Whom?
              The Reuters website is searchable by organisation and sector, giving current press coverage

• by making the most of personal contacts you have in your career area of interest.  Network with your friends, family, former employers, academics.  Make sure you tell people that you're looking for a job.  These contacts can be an excellent source of information.  See if your People Resources can help.  If you don't have many contacts in your field, consider conducting some network interviews.  A network interview is a process of gathering information through personal contact.  Talk to people who are doing the type of work you might like to get into.  See the guidelines for network interviewing and possible questions to ask at a network interview.

• Researching a job application
• Preparing for interview
• Deciding whether to accept a job offer