Holiday Networking Leads to the Hidden Job Market
Traditionally, the holiday season is the most active networking time of year. During the next couple weeks is a terrific time to make new contacts and reestablish connections. The explosion of social media has dramatically impacted how we network 24/7/365. The mushrooming use of social networking means that even the “logistically-challenged” can’t excuse themselves from networking purposefully and establishing new strategic relationships at this time of year. In fact, the growing adoption of social media means that business professionals expect colleagues to be accessible via social networking sites.
The hidden job market is represented by existing but unadvertised or unannounced openings and positions created specifically in order to hire a particular individual. Insider contacts have the best access to the hidden job market. They are usually the ones to know about unexpected vacancies, restructurings, M & A’s, retirements, that generate new staffing requirements. Initiating and maintaining insider contacts is a good investment in your career. The payback is information about unadvertised positions and inside knowledge that you can leverage to seek a new opportunity as a preferred candidate.
While no one walks around with a sign announcing they are a prime connection to unadvertised positions or hidden job market opportunities, online research makes it convenient to identify individuals as potentially lucrative contacts based on their published affiliations. Employees, former employees, vendors, consultants, advisers, customers, etc. of companies on your target employer list can share leads to a new job before such openings are made official. Recommendations and referrals from your connections differentiate you, build trust, and provide a competitive advantage in a crowded field of qualified candidates.
During the holidays, there are many occasions to interact with family, friends, colleagues, and business contacts who may be aware of unadvertised jobs. The proliferation of virtual communities and electronic communications provides continuous contact, online visibility and inexpensive multimedia interactions through email, direct messages, IM’s, video chat, video sharing, discussion forums, blogging, blog comments, photo uploads, etc. It’s a natural time to initiate a new contact or to revive lapsed connections; conversations flow easily around familiar subjects like family celebrations and travel plans. People are more receptive to casual discussions with distant contacts and renewing old ties during holiday-related conversations. Follow up early in the New Year to have a more in depth exchange and explore mutual interests.
Article by, Debra Feldman and courtesy of CareerHub.com. The Career Hub blog connects job seekers with experts in career counseling, resume writing, personal branding and recruiting.
