Skills Academy 2016:Job Seekingand the hidden job market

John McMenaminCareers Consultant

Career Development Centre

Objectives

This session will help you to:• Understand the different routes into employment• Find potential employers and hidden jobs • Assess and focus your job search strategy

Getting started

• What job do I want?• What have I got to offer?• What jobs are out there?

Targeting companies

• Business activity• Size• Training • Prospects• Culture

• Travel• Location• Salary• Benefits• Security

Iceberg principle

70%

The open job market

Advertisedposts

The hiddenJob market

Direct approachesNetworking

30%

Open job market

• Internet– career development centre– company websites– job sites

• Recruitment agencies • Recruitment fairs• Local and national press• Job centre Plus

Finding the hidden jobs

• Networking – conventional & social media• Informational interviewing• Work (experience), temping and volunteering• Speculative applications - in writing• Cold calling - in person, by phone

Networking

• Family, friends, fellow students• Clubs and associations• Tutors and careers consultants• Previous employers• Professional associations• Alumni Association

Social networking

Linkedin, facebook, twitter:

• Establish contact with professionals you have recently met

• Research or follow specific companies/people• Identify industry trends

But take care over your online profile. http://www.careerplayer.com/tips-and-advice/general-advice/social-media-and-job-hunting/

Informational interviewing

• When you find someone who knows about a field or occupation

• Ask for a short interview / chat – 10 minutes• This is not JOB SEARCH – it is RESEARCH

Making the most ofinformational interviews• Imagine the conversation is with your hero and you want

their opinion on something. Offer an open question (who, what, why, how) but don’t interrogate them.– How did you get started in your business?– What do you enjoy most about your profession?– What advice would you give to someone just starting

out in the industry?– What do you see as the coming trends in your

business?– What’s the best thing about your work?– Listen to what they are saying and ask follow-up

questions that occur to you. “Interesting… so why…?”

Benefits of networking / interviewing

• What employers are looking for?• Information about specific companies• Industry trends, challenges and opportunities• Job hunting advice• Expand your network• Possible experience / work opportunities

Networking/informational interviewing exercise

• On the back of your action plan – write “ME” in the middle of the page

• Pick one of the jobs that you’d like. Who do you know who might be able to help you with finding information about the job and potential vacancies?

Networking exercise

Self-published his own book whichdid quite well Tony

(Uncle)

Theresa(Neighbour) Works for a local

publisher

Jenny (Zumba)

Part of a local writer’s group

Matthew(Brother)

Julie(Friend)

Published author

Sumi(Colleague)

Nigel(ex colleague)

Now works for aliterary agent

Mark(Her husband)

Plays squash with anAccount manager atHodder & Stoughton

As you start chasing leads, you can add to it. The above does not include contact through groups (alumni association, professional bodies), online (linkedin) or ‘warm’ leads to working as a writer at work / at university.

ME

Work experience, temping or volunteering

• Keep a record of your achievements• Make the most of professional contacts and

explore new ones• Find out about other job roles• Volunteer for new / extra responsibilities• Be interested in everything and everyone!

Speculative approaches

• Identify possible companies via:- word of mouth / networking - newspapers / online business news- online communities- professional bodies

• Identify relevant contact via:- cold calling (phone or in person)

- linkedin/twitter

Speculative applications

• Research the company / roles• Target named person, with a relevant role in the

organisation• Develop a persuasive, targeted CV and covering letter• Follow up with a phone call• Ask for further contacts• Keep a record of all activity - follow-up

Your action plan

• What are you aiming for?(Your career goals)

• What is your current situation? (Job hunting activities underway) • What actions will you take? (Specific action steps with target dates)

Useful links

• Career player – networking, job hunting, social media

• Linkedin – student guides to getting started

And for advertised positions:engage.westminster.ac.uk

• Online vacancy and events systemwww.prospects.ac.uk

In summary

• Know what you have to offer and what you want• Know what’s out there• Develop your network• Plan your campaign• Review it regularly

....and, if you need help, seek advice and guidance

Useful linksEngage and Engage Plus– Brand new careers and events portal. – Search for jobs, book yourself in for appointments and events, search

through the growing bank of careers resources.– Engage Plus – MASSIVE careers resource. Tons of videos and interactive

elements.http://engage.westminster.ac.uk

Monster – Careers advice– Features lots of advice, instructional videos and an interactive mock

interviewhttp://career-advice.monster.co.uk

Prospects– The official UK graduate careers website, lots of information and advice –

ideal for researching salary expectations and job descriptionshttp://www.prospects.ac.uk

Target Jobs – for sector-specific advicehttp://targetjobs.co.uk/career-sectors

Further information and guidance

Career Development Centre services:– 20-minute quick queries:

CV, covering letter, application form checks

– 45-minute individual guidance interviews: detailed career guidance, mock interviews

– Book your appointments using the Engage system

Our resources:– CV Guide – available to download as a resource on Engage– Free sector-specific and general careers publications

Contact Career Development Centre

www.westminster.ac.uk/careersengage.westminster.ac.uk T: 020 7911 5184E: careers@westminster.ac.uk

First floor, 101 New Cavendish Street (next to Cav St campus)

Also at Harrow – Maria Hewlett building