T
he process of finding employment has quietly undergone an evolution. Job seekers are discovering that many positions are not posted to the public. In fact, the online career guidance resource Quintessential Careers reports that only 15 to 20 percent of available jobs post to newspapers, online job boards , or employment agencies. "Not advertised?" ask many exasperated, out-of-work job candidates who regularly scour newspapers and websites in the hopes of finding a job. If this traditional search yields just a fraction of 6 RuralLeaderMagazine.com
available employment opportunities, where are the bulk of open positions hiding? Welcome to the new hidden job market. The hidden job market is real, and as discussed on LinkedIn, reportedly more effective than the old conventional way. "At least half of all new hires find employment through networking," says Jason Rinsky, national director of Career Services at the Brown Mackie College system of schools. Yes, good old-fashioned word-ofmouth can help you find the back door to employment options. Why is the hidden job market so huge? “Recruiters want to minimize the amount they spend on adver-
tising,” says Dr. Cynthia Scarlett, chair of the Graduate Business and Organizational Leadership programs at Argosy University, Denver. “If they can get a recommendation, it puts them one step ahead in the vetting process.” Hiring managers, too, seem more likely to hire a person who has been recommended by a co-worker or trusted associate. A 2012 New York Federal Reserve Bank study bears this out, citing that referred candidates were twice as likely to land interviews compared to those who were not referred, and 40 percent more likely to be hired. “Hiring managers will often con-
