CAREER MANAGEMENT SKILLS PROGRAMME Session 3: The Hidden Jobs Market

1. CAREER MANAGEMENT SKILLS PROGRAMMESession 3: The Hidden Jobs Market Julie Blant, Deputy Director, Postgraduate Careers Service

2. In today’s session Introduction to finding out about the hidden job market. At the end of the session you should understand: • Why its important to use proactive as well as reactive job search approaches • Why networking and information interviewing are important in job searching • How to develop and maintain a network

3. Why do I need a proactive approach? • Reason 1: Source: Dr Peter Hawkins, University of Liverpool 2004 • Reason 2: • One third of jobs are filled by networking Source: Hamish Davidson, Senior Partner PWC, Executive Resourcing, October 2001 Reactive Approach - Visible 20% Proactive Approach - Hidden 80%

4. What’s wrong with applying to advertised jobs Effective job search includes a variety of methods: • reactive job searching..applying for advertised jobs • proactive job searching..speculative applications and networking • You need to do both but ...it is VITAL to network to tap into the huge unadvertised job market

5. Proactive job searching Being creative... • applying speculatively to your chosen employer • networking • work experience • voluntary work

6. What is networking? ….In the context of job searching: • Networking is about developing and maintaining a personal and unique network of contacts to enable you to put yourself in front of key recruiters • It is an important skill that will enable you to form valuable relationships that are helpful to your career • It is a way of generating your own professional support system

7. Networking is about... • investing in the future • forming good contacts to maximise your chances of being in the right place at the right time • becoming the person that others think of when they hear about a vacancy • gathering information rather than asking for a job

8. Administration Advertising, Promotion and Marketing Buying, Selling and Retailing Education Employment and Labour Engineering Finance Hotel, Catering and Accommodation Services Information Services Information Technology and Management Services Insurance and Pensions Law Enforcement and Protection Legal Services Leisure and Recreation Services Manufacturing and Processing Property and Construction Publishing, Media Scientific Services Transport and Distribution Look at your current network – who do you know?

9. Potential contacts for finding out about careers in……..: Mind Mapping Who do I know in…???

10. So how do I do it? • You are already doing it! You are already meeting and talking to people (old and new) who could potentially help you • Take an interest in people – what do they do? • Who do they know? • What’s happening in their company/sector? • How are vacancies advertised? • Tell them about yourself & your career interests • Basically swap useful information!

11. So how do I do it? • Take a proactive approach to make new contacts: • Identify people in the career areas that interest you • Research the career area and employers • Write to them - CV and letter • Telephone them to follow up. Can they spare you a few minutes? • Information interviewing can be very effective

12. Where can I network? Not every situation is going to be appropriate – you will need to use your judgement Some ideas: • Travel • Social gatherings • Queues! • Seminars/Guest speakers • Presentations/open evenings • Industry/Trade shows • Joining a professional organisations • Work • Dissertation - research and dissemination

13. The rules of networking • The foundation of effective networking is an attractive personality • Be assertive but not aggressive, don’t be TOO pushy • Prepare a reason for making contact, don’t initially ask for a job. Do your research. A good place to start is sources of company information: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/is/support/knowledgebase/guides/IS2540.pdf(produced bylibrary) • Always thank someone for their help - send a letter if you can - even if they only passed on a useful name.

14. Golden rules of networking • While you are working or studying you have numerous reasons to contact people, so be inventive • If you become unemployed you will have a desperate need to contact people but will have fewer reasons to do so, and fewer opportunities to reciprocate favours..so get started now.

15. Golden rules of networking • Devote time to find interesting ways of keeping in touch..letter, email, postcard, fax, text, article from a newspaper, meeting in person • Make it interesting for THEM • It’s easy to unwittingly destroy contacts and networks so be brief, be ethical when you are contacting your established contacts

16. Golden rules of networking • Treat networking as a job, do it routinely • Think about the consequences if you don’t do it • Who’s married, or partnered, to whom ? Who are their other family members or friends? Bizarre linkages can be found • Don’t stereotype, engage with everyone .. It’s a diverse world

17. Golden rules of networking • Look in the mirror.. Would I employ me? • Show a REAL interest in the other person • Demonstrate a positive mental attitude • Ask for their advice and LISTEN • Be courteous to them and to their ‘gatekeepers’.. Respect their time, follow up with a thank-you card or email

18. Golden rules of networking • Look for opportunities to do favours, supply information, pass on your contacts • Adopt a strong work ethic -be persistent, active, positive, reliable • Protect your reputation: Never ask anyone to do anything unethical

19. Tips on revealing hidden opportunities • Use your existing contacts • Organise some information interviews • Keep up to date with business news – e.g. company growth • Find a forum for meeting new people – e.g. professional body • Look for work-shadowing opportunities For more tips on revealing the secret job market visit www.windmillsprogramme.com and choose tactic 3 from the 7 career tactics.

20. Any Questions?Julie BlantPostgraduate Careers Adviserjulie.blant@nottingham.ac.uk