Career and Jobs Tips

25% of all jobs get advertised in the media or over the net. 75% of all jobs are filled without advertising. This means that job search activity should also include 75% of the job market rather than be confined to 25% of jobs for which there is immense competition.

How should one search for work in this area? To be successful in the unadvertised job market one needs to:
• Identify the organisations they want to work for.
• Conduct extensive research into such organisations to understand:
o The products and services of the organisation
o Identify the future direction of the organisation.
o Determine who the key decision makers are.
o Determine any other relevant information about the organisation including its structure, staff, etc.
• Engage in extensive networking with friends and others to gain introduction to decision makers in organisations.
• Prepare resume targeted to “spot” jobs and to other positions within the organisation. “Spot” jobs in this context are jobs of the future.
• Forward applications to key decision makers rather than targeting job applications to Human Resources.
• Conduct regular follow-up on job applications.
• Get introduced to recruiters recommended by friends to obtain maximum benefit from searching in the unadvertised market.

In the advertised market a candidate should:
• Identify the skills required of the advertised position.
• Analyse their skills to determine if they match 95% of their requirements.
• Modify their resumes to ensure that job requirements are addressed.
• Develop a cover letter to address gaps.
• Develop a follow up action plan and conduct regular follow-up.