If you devote all your job search efforts to the mainstream job boards and classified ads, you could be depriving yourself of some valuable resources and opportunities. It’s important to routinely check job postings, but you also want to spend time exploring the hidden job market.
One way to tap into the hidden job market is to do informational interviews. This is where you get away from your computer and go talk to people in person. The hidden job market has a lot less competition and even has more available jobs than the job boards.
Conducting an informational interview is simple. Contact someone who works in your target industry and ask the person for 30 minutes of his or her time for an informational interview. The purpose of this meeting is strictly for information—not to ask for a job. Keep the meeting short and limit your questions to only those that would help you learn how to get into your desired job. For example:
• How did you get into this career and industry?
• What educational background is helpful for this type of job?
• How do you think someone with my credentials could get into this type of job?
Be sure to respect the person’s time and keep the meeting to only 30 minutes. As you prepare to leave, ask if the person has any other advice to share. Within three days of the interview, send a thank-you note. This is professional courtesy and it will keep you on the person’s radar.
Conducting informational interviews is not difficult. I met with over 20 people while doing research on this topic. From this experience, I learned that most people are happy to talk to you. People respect what you are doing and are willing to help.
When you set up the meeting, specify that you are only asking for information. Don’t bring a resume to the interview. It’s rare, but someone might ask you to send them a resume. Out of all my informational interviews, one person asked for a resume and two others offered me some freelance work. You will always gain valuable information from informational interviews, but they could also lead to employment opportunities.
A good way to find people to meet with is to attend seminars that are presented by professionals in your target industry. Check with the Chamber of Commerce, the newspaper, professional trade associations, and even your local library to learn about these seminars. Some require a fee, but most small-scale seminars are free. Either before or after the seminar, try to meet the presenters. If they are local, they are the people you want to meet with. I once requested a meeting with a presenter who made a special trip to meet with me.
Get familiar with social networking sites like LinkedIn and Xing. These are great resources to find people in your desired job and industry. Find someone who works for a company that you would like to learn more about. If that person’s profile is available to the public, feel free to call or send an email to request an interview. These are professional networking sites so members expect to be contacted and interact with others.
Doing informational interviews helps to boost your self confidence and can be a more effective way to land your desired job. It also makes you easier to hire because you have demonstrated that you are creative and willing to do what is necessary to achieve an objective.
One way to tap into the hidden job market is to do informational interviews. This is where you get away from your computer and go talk to people in person. The hidden job market has a lot less competition and even has more available jobs than the job boards.
Conducting an informational interview is simple. Contact someone who works in your target industry and ask the person for 30 minutes of his or her time for an informational interview. The purpose of this meeting is strictly for information—not to ask for a job. Keep the meeting short and limit your questions to only those that would help you learn how to get into your desired job. For example:
• How did you get into this career and industry?
• What educational background is helpful for this type of job?
• How do you think someone with my credentials could get into this type of job?
Be sure to respect the person’s time and keep the meeting to only 30 minutes. As you prepare to leave, ask if the person has any other advice to share. Within three days of the interview, send a thank-you note. This is professional courtesy and it will keep you on the person’s radar.
Conducting informational interviews is not difficult. I met with over 20 people while doing research on this topic. From this experience, I learned that most people are happy to talk to you. People respect what you are doing and are willing to help.
When you set up the meeting, specify that you are only asking for information. Don’t bring a resume to the interview. It’s rare, but someone might ask you to send them a resume. Out of all my informational interviews, one person asked for a resume and two others offered me some freelance work. You will always gain valuable information from informational interviews, but they could also lead to employment opportunities.
A good way to find people to meet with is to attend seminars that are presented by professionals in your target industry. Check with the Chamber of Commerce, the newspaper, professional trade associations, and even your local library to learn about these seminars. Some require a fee, but most small-scale seminars are free. Either before or after the seminar, try to meet the presenters. If they are local, they are the people you want to meet with. I once requested a meeting with a presenter who made a special trip to meet with me.
Get familiar with social networking sites like LinkedIn and Xing. These are great resources to find people in your desired job and industry. Find someone who works for a company that you would like to learn more about. If that person’s profile is available to the public, feel free to call or send an email to request an interview. These are professional networking sites so members expect to be contacted and interact with others.
Doing informational interviews helps to boost your self confidence and can be a more effective way to land your desired job. It also makes you easier to hire because you have demonstrated that you are creative and willing to do what is necessary to achieve an objective.
By: David Jensen, Elance.com
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