Correspondingly, this means that more people know of such openings and more apply for each opportunity. This makes the competition more intense and the chances of being selected proportionately smaller. For these reasons, using direct sources of employment information alone tends to be quite limited in effectiveness. Of course, you should not overlook any source when you are looking for a job, but avoid devoting too much time to any single approach, especially if that approach is less likely to be effective. As a general rule, spend only a small proportion, say five to ten percent, of your job-hunting efforts on these direct sources of employment information, especially if you are looking for a job in a field where the demand is not particularly high.
Action Step direct sources for jobs.
Using your career objective as your guide, investigate current job opportunities utilizing sources discussed in the preceding section, including Career Planning and Placement Center listings, employment ads, employment agencies, etc.
Perhaps of greater significance is the fact that most job opportunities, some experts believe as many as eighty to ninety percent, are not listed in such formal sources as those just described. These experts claim that most positions are filled through informal means before they ever become officially announced as being available. In some instances, positions are announced as being formally available after they have already been filled by a candidate of the manager's preference. The position, in such a case, would be announced as being open because doing so is the policy of the organization. In theory, an advertised position allows all qualified people the opportunity to be considered for the position. In practice, however, a manager can easily circumvent such a system by selecting a candidate and then describing qualifications for the position in a way that uniquely matches that candidate's experience and abilities. In other instances, the position is never openly publicized and the manager relies on a network of professional contacts to refer qualified people.
Networking
How does one find out about the job openings that are not formally announced? The best way is through indirect job hunting approaches, the most effective of which is known as networking. Networking allows you to uncover important information through personal contacts that may lead to the position of your choice. Networking gives you an opportunity to get into organizations on an informal basis and learn the needs that exist, or that might or will exist in the future; to evaluate the work atmosphere of the organization; and to learn the ins and outs of employment in your field of interest.
When using people resources to research your field of career interest was discussed in the last unit, it was mentioned that it could serve as the informal start of your job search. People with whom you spoke when you were researching the field can now be contacted for help with specific job leads. But remember, your purpose has changed. In your first discussion you sought information to clarify your career goals. In your subsequent discussion you will seek advice on finding appropriate opportunities.
For example, you can call these same individuals and discuss what you learned and the conclusions that you reached. As part of such a discussion, you can again thank them for the time they took earlier to discuss their work and ask if you could meet with them again to discuss ways that you might best pursue employment within their field.
If indeed you did make a favorable impression on the individual in your first meeting, that person should be willing to give you some further assistance and/or information to help you uncover opportunities. If the discussion went particularly well, the person might even come to be viewed as an organizational friend who can vouch for you to others. Such valuable contacts are much easier to nurture when initially established on the neutral territory of a professional discussion rather than a point-blank request for a job. Once again, in the latter case, it usually appears to employers that you are only interested in yourself and your job-not them and their employment needs. They are also quite likely to be resistant to being put on the spot for a job.
If you did not conduct any such meetings earlier, you can still do some networking now. Approach individuals on an informal basis to specifically seek their help and advice on getting into the field. These individuals can be alumni, referrals from professors, friends, and relatives, names from directories, or even from the yellow pages. Anyone you know or meet is a potential contact. Don't be afraid to ask even those closest to you for help. The more specific you are about the kind of help you need, the more willing and able they are to help. When you call and/or meet with them, discuss your career interests and ask for their advice on who could use someone with your qualifications, how best to uncover appropriate opportunities, and how to pursue such opportunities. You should strive to learn something new with each discussion. Be sincere and forthright in wanting to speak with potential employers for their ad vice. In many cases, your request will be openly welcomed.
Your efforts should lead to establishing a network of individuals in your desired field of employment whom you have met and with whom you will keep in contact. You can use your network contacts to obtain names of other individuals with whom it might be of value for you to speak. If you ask each person you interview for additional names, you soon will have an extensive list of contacts throughout the field upon which to draw. Such a group of contacts can be of great value in informally watching for opportunities for which you might be eligible, or by giving you the inside story on those job leads you have already identified. These individuals can also be valuable now and later in your future professional career for general advice about work, relationships and problems you will encounter.
