The problem - and the truth - is that there is no hidden job market, let alone a secret list of jobs. No matter how much we might wish it to be true, it just is not so.

60%-80% of all jobs are never advertised

• Some of those jobs will be filled from within the company without posting the position externally.
• Some will be filled by candidates who networked their way in.
• Some will be filled by a savvy candidate who figured out there was an opportunity and brought themselves to the hiring manager’s attention early in the process before the job went out to the job boards.

The Jobs are there…but it’s not the Hidden Job Market

The job creation or vacancy-filling process can be a challenge for hiring managers.

12 O'Clock Let’s think of it by picturing a clock face with only one hand that is pointing straight up at the 12 o’clock position. That is the point in time when the job is either conceived by a manager or becomes vacant by a resignation or a termination of some kind. Next, the job is defined, the position description is written, the reporting structure and compensation are determined, and other actions are taken by various departments. Possible internal candidates will be screened and maybe feelers will be put out by the Human Resources manager or by the hiring manager to try to find a suitable candidate. Almost nobody enjoys the recruiting and hiring process so if it can be short-cut and still produce a “good hire”, most managers are happy to do that.

7 O'Clock This process can be visualized by the hand continuing to move clockwise as the process unfolds. Metaphorically, it will be around 7 or 8 o’clock before the job is finally advertised. If a candidate surfaces before the job is advertised, then it may never become visible to the “outside world” that the opportunity ever even existed.

However, if the opportunity can be identified through networking, direct mail, or by moving quickly when some clue about the opportunity surfaces - increased revenues, a high-profile change in management, an acquisition, a major contract win, for some examples - then a candidate may be able to get in before the job becomes visible to everybody on the internet. Sometimes, it takes good detective work to find the opportunities.

Taking the Advantage

There is less competition. Once the job is advertised, then hundreds and maybe even thousands of resumes are going to drop on the hiring manager and it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd when that happens. Getting in the race before the job is posted on the internet may allow a candidate to be one of only a few or maybe even the only one being considered.

It may even be possible to write one’s own position description if it is early enough in the job creation cycle. We at Make It Happen For Women have seen cases where a well-qualified candidate showed up so early that the company created a position especially for her. Now, that is a perfect world outcome to a job search!

There really is no magic. There is only working a well thought-out smart plan with good tools that fit the market demands and always being alert to opportunities. Do it that way and no job will be hidden from you!

Find out ways you can find those jobs before they are ever posted!