Finding the hidden jobs

Objectives

This session will help you to:

• Understand the different routes into employment

• Find and research jobs and employers

• Re-assess and re-focus your job search strategy

Getting started

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

Deciding what you want

Skills, interests and values• What are you good at?

• What is important to you?

• What are you willing to do?

https://mycareer.wmin.ac.uk/

www.prospects.ac.uk

Targeting companies

• Business activity• Size• Training • Prospects• Culture

• Travel• Location• Salary• Benefits• Security

What’s out there?

• Large graduate recruiters

• Small medium enterprises

• Private sector

• Public sector

• Voluntary sector

• Self employment

Iceberg principle

70%

The open job market

The open job market

Advertisedposts

Advertisedposts

The hiddenJob market

The hiddenJob market

Direct approachesNetworking

Direct approachesNetworking

30%30%

Open job market

• Local and national press

• Jobcentre Plus

• Internet

• Recruitment fairs

• Recruitment agencies

Finding the hidden jobs

• Networking

• Work experience through temping and volunteering

• Speculative applications

• Cold calling - in person, by phone

• Informational interviewing

Networking

• Family, friends, fellow students

• Clubs and associations

• Tutors and careers consultants

• Previous employers

• Professional associations

• Alumni Association

• Social networking online

Networking

Generating opportunities• Most people find networking scary – US survey

said dying was only the third worst thing that can happen to you

• It’s the quality of your relationships and how you leverage your networking, not the number of business cards you collect

• Being interested Vs interesting

Networking

• Make it known that you are looking for work and what it is that you can do, enquire about what they do and if they know anyone in the industry who might be able to help you

• Use a broad spectrum of communication methods: face-to-face, phonecalls, emails, social networking sites, online discussion forums

• By utilising your network, you are utilising the network of everyone within that network too

The networking pyramid

Networking strategy – who, why, what?

Working the room – small talk, etiquette

Permission to explore / follow up

Follow up call

One to one

Keep in touch

Positive outcome

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

Runs own building firm and does own HR Tony

(Uncle)

Theresa(Neighbour) Works in a recruitment

agency

Jenny (Zumba)

Welfare officer in a bank

Matthew(Brother)

Julie(Friend)

H&S trainer

Sumi(Colleague)

Nigel(ex colleague)

TU Officeer

Mark(Her husband)

Plays squash with NHS HR manager

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

ME

AGCAS video – Journey to Work

http://www.wmin.ac.uk/Default.aspx?page=20261

Informational interviewing

• Find someone who knows about a field or occupation

• Ask for a short interview

• This is not JOB SEARCH – it is RESEARCH

• Helps you to find out about roles and fields

• Can reveal the hidden jobs

• Widens your network

Speculative applications

• Do your research

• 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

• Be persistent

Re-boot your Campaign

• Applications for advertised vacancies

• Speculative approaches

• Networking and informational interviewing

• Recruitment consultants

• Freelance/consultancy work

• Know yourself, know your market

• Volunteering

Useful websitesCareer Development CentreVacancies - www.westminster.ac.uk/careersYour course, what next? http://www.wmin.ac.uk/page-20125

www.prospects.ac.ukwww.targetjobs.co.ukwww.totaljobs.comwww.milkround.comwww.get.hobsons.co.uk

www.insidecareers.co.uk www.monster.co.uk www.fish4.co.uk www.jobserve.com www.jobs.guardian.co.uk

Creative ways to boost your income: www.findextrawork.co.uk

Creative ways to boost your income: www.findextrawork.co.uk

Further information and guidance

Career Development Centre:• 20-minute quick queries:

CV, covering letter, application form checks• 45-minute :individual career coaching,

detailed career planning, mock interviews

CDC resources:• CV Guide• Videos and DVDs• Free sector-specific and general careers publications

(all services available up to 3 years after graduation)

Contact usHarrow

Harrow Campus

Room EG.16

Maria Hewlett Building

Nearest tube: Northwick Park

Central London

Cavendish House

1st Floor

101 New Cavendish Street

Nearest tube: Warren St/ Goodge St/Gt Portland St

Tel: 020 7911 5184E-mail: careers@wmin.ac.uk

www.westminster.ac.uk/careers

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