In part one of this post, we looked at the facts and fallacies of the hidden job market including why you should consider tapping into it, why you should consider sending your resume to a company that has not advertised positions matching your skills and the level of experience you should be at in order to benefit from the hidden market.

Now I bet you are wondering precisely how to tap into the unadvertised market. There are three strategies to quickly get you started focusing on and finding great jobs that will never see a major job board.

Tip #1: Create a plan

If you are going to launch a proactive job search (i.e. knowing precisely what you are looking for, then reaching out to get it) vs. a reactive job search (i.e. passively scanning posted jobs, waiting to find the one that fits you) then it’s crucial you know the following things:

Your target markets

(e.g. Construction, commercial healthcare development, pharmaceutical, medical device, etc…)

Your titles & positions

(e.g. sales executive, VP of sales and marketing, business development director)

Your geographic parameters

(e.g. can’t leave Minneapolis, all of US, California only)

Your timeline

(e.g. need a job NOW, in the next 30 days, would like to make a change in the next 6 months)

Tip #2: Choose three main job search strategies for tapping into your market

Now that you have your plan, you should be crystal clear on what you want! Here are just a few unadvertised techniques you can utilize:

Growing/changing or moving companies: These are companies that are expanding, merging, acquiring other companies, are rolling out new products or services or are moving. These companies that are actively changing and/or growing offer you, the job seeker, an opportunity to offer your skills and strengths in order to help them.

Executive recruiters: Identify executive recruiters that are familiar with your industry and/or level of position. They often have contracts to fill positions of which the majority will never be advertised. Recruiters probably won’t be helpful to you if:

You are radically changing industries, a recruiter may not be the best source for you as they will be looking for “a match.”

Recruiters may be helpful if:

You plan on staying in your current industry, you have had less than 3 jobs in 10 years and you look fantastic on paper.

Direct company contact: The secret here is in the numbers. Contacting a company directly (fully knowing they probably have multiple open positions that are not advertised) is a great way to take leadership and control over your job search. Are you interested in looking at the higher education market in your state or the top organic food manufacturers in the US? Or maybe the fastest growing healthcare oriented businesses in your city? All of these “lists” are accessible to you and allow you to easily tap right into your market of focus!

Tip #3: Manage your job search like a professional project

Once you have your plan and have determined the best place to gather your resources and your general strategy, you must make a simple plan to move forward. Depending on your timeframe, pick the hours and the days each week that you plan to invest in your next career move. Block out those times and stick to them! Honor your commitment to your job search just like you would honor your commitment to your present employer to show up on time each day.
During your job search activity, keep things really simple and focus on the actions you are taking, not the results!

This way you can celebrate your initial “successes,” which in the beginning are the completion of each of your daily and weekly goals. The results will unfold elegantly and abundantly and you will enjoy feeling that satisfaction of success whether you are investing in marketing yourself or basking in the warm glow of landing your third or fourth interview!

Be careful not to devalue the importance of this tip. This strategy is one of the main points to averting thoughts of despair and feelings of overwhelm.

Are you a certified resume writer who would like to provide your clients with gold star job search coaching that helps them successfully tap into the hidden job market?

Last week, I was honored to be interviewed by Laura DeCarlo, President of Career Directors International, on my brand new Job Search Success System and affiliate program for resume writers. The interview is about 15 minutes long and you can listen now here

I am so excited to announce the official launch of my brand-new affiliate program! If you are a resume writer what this can mean for you is:

You can provide your clients with a system that leads them through how to set up and manage a turnkey job search that focuses on the hidden job market and truly gets them great results.

You can be free from career and job search coaching you may not wish to do.

You can very easily create a significant additional passive stream of revenue for your business.

I have been helping all levels of job seekers tap into the hidden job market and secure more interviews and get bigger offers in both good and bad markets for 15 years.

If you would like to talk with me personally please feel free to call me at 830.331.9398 or email me at maryelizabeth@maryelizabethbradford.com.

***Listen to the interview here: http://www.audioacrobat.com/play/W3Q4BD64.

***Check out the Job Search Success System website here: http://job-searchsystem.com/.

***Register to be an affiliate here: https://www.mcssl.com/SYS/?m=130706&c=s.

*Please note, to protect the integrity of my affiliate partnerships and success of my clients I am ONLY accepting affiliate registrations from certified professional resume writers.

In searching for your ideal position are you taking what I call the “I’ll know it when I see it route?”

Well, if this is you, chances are you have been surfing around on the internet looking for that perfect position, submitting your resume to multiple jobs and you are still waiting for the phone to ring.

Although getting clear on the kind of jobs you are interested in can be a worthwhile activity, you don’t want to get stuck on the job surfing and job board treadmill.

Here are three steps you can take right now to take back control of your job search:

Step number one: Focus on what you want

Before you begin your job search you must know what your driving motivators are and what your ideal job looks like.

Think of these driving motivators as the top three things you must have in order for you to feel like your next move is one that meets your needs.

Sometimes your driving motivators will run counter to your dream job, and that is okay. Give yourself permission to define these because they will affect your job search and help you discern which way you need to go – both for your short and long term goals.

To identify your dream job start with a list of things you love to do best. Another way to look at it is to ask yourself – what you are doing when you are at your best.

Step Number Two: get your game plan down

You should know what your job search strategy is – namely the two or three strategies you are going to use in your job search.

Individual strategies include embarking on a direct mail campaign, working with recruiters, special networking techniques like informational interviews and social networking just to name a few.

Each job search demands its own special approach, and by fleshing out your game plan you’ll quickly see what you need to do and where you might need help figuring things out

Step Number Three: Make a commitment to begin

Now that you have a plan and you know where you need help you can start moving forward. A big mistake job seekers often make is to wait and wait and wait until they feel “ready” to move forward.

Rarely do we ever feel 100% ready. So break this cycle of procrastination by writing out one primary actively you can focus on each day. Writing it out in advance means not having to lie awake in bed at night worrying over what you are going to do tomorrow.

Make your goals doable and give yourself plenty of rest and relaxation time to recharge your batteries. Don’t forget to congratulate yourself for every effort and activity you take…because each step is a step forward…and one step closer to your goals!

With your driving motivators, ideal job description, pre planned activities and goals spelled out and crystal clear, you now have distinct areas of focus to build on. This is the first and most critical step to taking control of your job search, so you can land the job you really want.

Did you make the call Wednesday titled: Recession-Busting Job Search Techniques That WORK?

Well, if you couldn’t make it, or you called in and the line was busy (sorry, we filled up fast!) here is a link to the audio recording of the call.

You can listen here now:

http://www.maryelizabethbradford.com/teleseminar050609.php

I really opened up about detailed strategies and resources that you can use in your job search right now.

Plus, I extended a VERY special invitation that will enable you to get job search coaching and support directly from me…I think you will be really pleased and excited to hear about it!

Here is that link:

http://www.maryelizabethbradford.com/teleseminar050609.php

*Many of you emailed me to ask for the resource links I mentioned on the call, so I had my team post them for you on the same page as the audio. Enjoy!

-Mary Elizabeth

Date: Wednesday, May 6th 4pm CST

With Mary Elizabeth Bradford, The Career Artisan Internationally Certified Advanced Resume Writer & Internationally Certified Master Career Director

Space is filling up fast but you can still register for free here now:

http://www.maryelizabethbradford.com/teleseminar050609.php

Know someone who would benefit from this information? Please, pay it forward and pass this information on!

Learn step-by-step techniques for identifying and connecting with companies who want to hire you – yes, even in a recession! (I am also going to be offering you an incredibly special gift).

No matter what level you are at in your career, or if you are in a passive or active job search, you are going to love this information!

On this 60-minute call, you’ll discover:

The two barriers most job seekers hit that cause instant disappointment and anxiety – and how to avoid them.

My top 3 job search strategy recommendations that are proven to work to get you quality interviews and offers.

My two best job search time saving strategies that immediately fr^ee up your time preserve your energy and enthusiasm for your job search!

My top recommendation to help you identify industries that are hiring!

Register for free here now:

http://www.maryelizabethbradford.com/teleseminar050609.php

I hope to “see” you on the call.

***You may wish to call in 5 minutes early to make sure you get a spot on the call! If for some reason you receive a busy signal (indicating the call is full when you dial in) or you can’t make the call, an audio recording will be sent to you within 24 hours of the call as long as you are on the list – so you can still benefit from this valuable information!***
Inspiring your success,

Mary Elizabeth

Are you like so many people I have been talking with recently that are frustrated with their job search?

If so, I would like to invite you to join me for an absolutely fr^ee, no strings attached teleseminar titled:

How to Find a Job in Days, Not Weeks

I recently shared with you in my ezine that one of my goals for 2009 was to help as many job seekers as I could. I can’t think of a better way to kick off the New Year than with a program that can turn your “frustration” into “excitement!”

Date: Tuesday January 20th, 2009

Time: 5pm CST

Register here now:

http://maryelizabethbradford.com/findjobindays.php

*When you register, you will receive the call-in information.

Hosted by two of the country’s leading experts on job search techniques:

* Mary Elizabeth Bradford, a certified resume writer and job search coach with an executive recruiter background, creates custom, turnkey job search strategies and marketing materials for her clients, helping them to easily and quickly attract the attention they deserve. Her strategy leverages research, detail and focus.

* Mark Hovind of JobBait.com helps executives find jobs by going directly to the decision-makers most likely to hire them. His specialties include value proposition letters, targeting, mailing list (CEOs, Presidents, etc.), websites and video clips. His strategy leverages quality, volume, and speed.

Mark and Mary Elizabeth have combined forces to help job-seekers find a job as fast as possible, specifically in the hidden job market.

Please note: this teleseminar is for serious-minded job seekers who are willing to commit to do what it takes to land their next position. Come prepared to take notes and feel that mix of euphoria and relief when we show you the light at the end of the tunnel!

***Only 98 spots available – this call will fill quickly!***

Register here now:

http://maryelizabethbradford.com/findjobindays.php

Inspiring your success,

Mary Elizabeth

P.S. At the end of this teleseminar, you will KNOW which decision-makers to contact and have several options to reach them right now…today if you want to.

P.P.S. There is no catch except that once you find a job, we ask that you “pay it forward” and don’t forget to share your story with us!