Finding a Job: Who's Better Than You?

By Robbie Miller Kaplan

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Many people hire professionals to do the jobs they either can't or don't want to do. It makes sense to hire a plumber to repair a leak because you may not know much about plumbing or household repairs.

But when it comes to finding jobs, the best person for the job is you. There is no one else who knows your skills, abilities, likes and dislikes better or who has your best interests at heart.

The Department of Labor has conducted countless surveys over the years to track just how job seekers actually find employment. While statistics vary slightly, 75% to 80% of all jobs are found through networking and direct contact. This method is often referred to as the "hidden job market" -- job openings that don't appear in employment publications.

Only 3% to 5% of all jobs are found through search firms organizations that are paid a fee by employers, not job seekers, to find job applicants that match employment requirements.

So what's the best way to look for jobs when you're out of work?

If approximately 80% of all jobs are found through networking and direct contact, it is in your best interest to expend 80% of your job search energies in contacting employers directly and establishing contacts with your network and your network's network.

Looking for a job can seem overwhelming and it's helpful to break it down into daily and weekly goals.

Start week one of your job search at the library or on the Internet, researching potential organizations. What industries in your area appear to be expanding, thriving, and hiring? What division of the organization could use your skills and experience? Who is the hiring manager?

Keep a record of your findings and in the weeks ahead, write effective letters to these contacts, identifying an organizational need and demonstrating how you can fill it. Follow up all letters with telephone calls. If your contact isn't hiring, ask for additional leads on who may be hiring. Continue to pursue all contacts.

In week two and subsequent weeks, establish a daily goal of contacts you will make to communicate your interest in finding job opportunities in targeted areas. Identify your network current and former co-workers, friends, family members, former classmates, professors, members of professional associations, community members, your lawyer, accountant, doctor, dentist, clergy, trades people, hairdresser, club members, and all their networks.

Let your contacts know that you are exploring new opportunities and let them know what you are seeking. Ask each contact if they know of anyone you can speak to who might know about the opportunities you are pursuing. Continue to expand your network each day. Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a major outplacement firm, reported that their clients that networked the most found jobs much quicker than clients who networked less frequently.

It's been proven time and again that it is not what you know but who you know. Put your energies to work in identifying and contacting your network to uncover your hidden job market. You'll know best which job is the right one for you.

Robbie Miller Kaplan has helped people make the most of their careers for over 20 years. She is the author of How To Say It In Your Job Search and How To Say It When You Don't Know What To Say: The Right Words for Difficult Times. Learn more about Kaplan's work at www.job-resources.com and www.wordsthatcomfort.com.

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