This document summarizes a presentation on job seeking strategies, including understanding different routes into employment. It discusses targeting potential employers, with 70% of jobs found through networking and the "hidden job market" rather than online postings. Specific strategies are outlined for networking, informational interviewing, work experience, volunteering, and speculative applications. The presentation emphasizes researching careers and companies, developing a network, and regularly reviewing a targeted action plan.

1. Skills Academy 2016:
Job Seeking
and the hidden job market
John McMenamin
Careers Consultant
Career Development Centre

2. Objectives
This session will help you to:
• Understand the different routes into employment
• Find potential employers and hidden jobs
• Assess and focus your job search strategy

3. Getting started
• What job do I want?
• What have I got to offer?
• What jobs are out there?

4. Targeting companies
• Business activity
• Size
• Training
• Prospects
• Culture
• Travel
• Location
• Salary
• Benefits
• Security

5. Iceberg principle
70%
The open
job market
Advertised
posts
The hidden
Job market
Direct
approaches
Networking
30%

6. Open job market
• Internet
– career development centre
– company websites
– job sites
• Recruitment agencies
• Recruitment fairs
• Local and national press
• Job centre Plus

7. Finding the hidden jobs
• Networking – conventional & social media
• Informational interviewing
• Work (experience), temping and volunteering
• Speculative applications - in writing
• Cold calling - in person, by phone

8. Networking
• Family, friends, fellow students
• Clubs and associations
• Tutors and careers consultants
• Previous employers
• Professional associations
• Alumni Association

9. Social networking
Linkedin, facebook, twitter:
• Establish contact with professionals you have
recently met
• Research or follow specific companies/people
• Identify industry trends
But take care over your online profile.
http://www.careerplayer.com/tips-and-advice/general-
advice/social-media-and-job-hunting/

10. Informational interviewing
• When you find someone who knows about a
field or occupation
• Ask for a short interview / chat – 10 minutes
• This is not JOB SEARCH – it is RESEARCH

11. Making the most of
informational interviews
• Imagine the conversation is with your hero and you want
their opinion on something. Offer an open question
(who, what, why, how) but don’t interrogate them.
– How did you get started in your business?
– What do you enjoy most about your profession?
– What advice would you give to someone just starting
out in the industry?
– What do you see as the coming trends in your
business?
– What’s the best thing about your work?
– Listen to what they are saying and ask follow-up
questions that occur to you. “Interesting… so why…?”

12. Benefits of networking / interviewing
• What employers are looking for?
• Information about specific companies
• Industry trends, challenges and opportunities
• Job hunting advice
• Expand your network
• Possible experience / work opportunities

13. 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?

14. Networking exercise
Self-published his own book which
did quite wellTony
(Uncle)
Theresa
(Neighbour)
Works for a local
publisher
Jenny
(Zumba)
Part of a local
writer’s group
Matthew
(Brother)
Julie
(Friend)
Published author
Sumi
(Colleague)
Nigel
(ex colleague)
Now works for a
literary agent
Mark
(Her husband)
Plays squash with an
Account manager at
Hodder & Stoughton
As you start chasing leads, you can add to it. The above does not include contact
through groups (alumni association, professional bodies), online (linkedin) or
‘warm’ leads to working as a writer at work / at university.
ME

15. Work experience, temping or
volunteering
• Keep a record of your achievements
• Make the most of professional contacts and
explore new ones
• Find out about other job roles
• Volunteer for new / extra responsibilities
• Be interested in everything and everyone!

16. Speculative approaches
• Identify possible companies via:
- word of mouth / networking
- newspapers / online business news
- online communities
- professional bodies
• Identify relevant contact via:
- cold calling (phone or in person)
- linkedin/twitter

17. Speculative applications
• Research the company / roles
• 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
• Keep a record of all activity - follow-up

18. Your action plan
• What are you aiming for?
(Your career goals)
• What is your current situation?
(Job hunting activities underway)
• What actions will you take?
(Specific action steps with target dates)

19. Useful links
• Career player – networking, job hunting, social
media
• Linkedin – student guides to getting started
And for advertised positions:
engage.westminster.ac.uk
• Online vacancy and events system
www.prospects.ac.uk

20. 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

21. Useful links
Engage and Engage Plus
– Brand new careers and events portal.
– Search for jobs, book yourself in for appointments and events, search
through the growing bank of careers resources.
– Engage Plus – MASSIVE careers resource. Tons of videos and interactive
elements.
http://engage.westminster.ac.uk
Monster – Careers advice
– Features lots of advice, instructional videos and an interactive mock
interview
http://career-advice.monster.co.uk
Prospects
– The official UK graduate careers website, lots of information and advice –
ideal for researching salary expectations and job descriptions
http://www.prospects.ac.uk
Target Jobs – for sector-specific advice
http://targetjobs.co.uk/career-sectors

22. Further information and guidance
Career Development Centre services:
– 20-minute quick queries:
CV, covering letter, application form checks
– 45-minute individual guidance interviews:
detailed career guidance, mock interviews
– Book your appointments using the Engage system
Our resources:
– CV Guide – available to download as a resource on Engage
– Free sector-specific and general careers publications

23. Contact Career Development Centre
www.westminster.ac.uk/careers
engage.westminster.ac.uk
T: 020 7911 5184
E: careers@westminster.ac.uk
First floor, 101 New Cavendish Street
(next to Cav St campus)
Also at Harrow – Maria Hewlett building