Hidden job market

[Hardy]

Hi guys,

Just wondering where to find this all elusive hidden job market, as I have been looking for sponsored job in all the usual places, ie, Seek, indeed, etc - and I can't find any relevant jobs that would be sponsored

PLEASE HELP -

[GideonVD]

You have to troll the companies' own websites, especially their "careers" pages and apply directly to companies you are interested in

[TQO]

Hi Hardy - for us who are applying for the 457 and have been actively job hunting since January, you absolutely have to familiarise yourself with the company, the Australian Yellow Pages and such and contact them directly. Many have Expression of Interest application sections and online job availability databases and application pages as well, where you can load your CV, track your application, see the process and such.

I can tell you with conviction though, without an IELTS result and completed skills assessment, you are pretty much wasting your time, unless an employer sees something that they are particularly looking for and nabs you up.

The cover letters with your application are also paramount and need to appeal to the company's requirements for an employee. See Gizmo's thread on winning cover letter's

Good luck and keep us posted!

[Hardy]

Thanks guys,

Exactly as I thought! And what I have been doing all along, not much luck yet. I was afraid to do the skills assessment as I don't want to pay out the money to get it done and still no interest.

Some people seem to just find sponsorship so easy, but I don't.

My husband is quite specialized (not sure if that is the right word ) in his work, and I am finding that it could also be why it is so difficult, his line of work is only just taking off at the moment, according to the recruiters.

I also think it is much easier to get into mining sponsorships than any other.

I was also looking at New Zealand, but it does not appeal to me as much as Oz

I will have a look at Gizmo's cover letter tips - thank you!

Good luck to yourself as well - we will get there eventually!

[Guest May]

The job market is really very quiet at the moment so one must be patient and find a way to bide your time. I think if you are going to be particular about what work you do be prepared to wait 0-8 months at least thats what I am hearing from different corners Adelaide to Sydney.

[HansaPlease]

My understanding of the hidden job market is not that they are jobs advertised on the companies websites, they are not advertised at all.

The hidden job market refers to jobs that are filled before the public even knows they were available. An employer needs to fill a role, he first thinks of contacts that he knows, people he's worked with, clients, competitors, asks colleagues of they know anybody, asks friends and family if they know anybody... Many employers would rather hire somebody they know has been proven to be reliable, recommended, etc before taking a chance with the general public.

I'm speaking from experience in my industry, not saying it's like that everywhere. We tend to advertise the more "menial" jobs on seek, but the good ones that require specific skills, we look at our existing networks.

When I arrived in Aus, my first role was from seek. It was a step down because I lacked that Aus experience and I had to "do my time". For my second role, I was approached by the client that i worked for and they offerred me a position which was a good step up.

For my third and current role I was again approached by my old boss and asked if I was interested in a newly created role and it just so happened I was...

Sometimes, when we know somebody in the industry with a good reputation has resigned and is looking for work, and we know there isn't the capacity to hire them right now but one of our staff is going on maternity leave in 5 months, we'll go after the person, hire them and keep them busy with "project work" until the maternity cover is needed. Far more important to hire somebody with a known reputation than somebody off the street because let's face it, we've hired some nutters in the past who seemed fine in the interview!

I know this doesn't sound very encouraging, just trying to explain another aspect of the the "hidden job market. "

That being said, if your husband is quite specialised, that could also work in his favour because positions such as his could be hard to fill. I would still keep approaching companies direct.

Best of luck!

Edited June 9, 2013 by HansaPlease

[AndreaL]

I agree, usually when we have a post to fill ( because it is qualification specific) we generally have an idea of who might fit locally, however, our policy is to advertise anyway, but I would say more often than not that those who make the shortlist are more than likely known entities................I think this is the case in most countries, personal recommendation counts for a lot and networking still has its place.

Hardy, what is your hubby's occupation, perhaps then someone might be able to at least point you in a general direction.................by sponsored, do you mean the 457 temporary visa?

[ottg]

Here is an article on how to find the hidden job market:

http://web.archive.org/web/20091025044534/http://www.perth-sa-migrant-support.com.au/Create-niche-network.php

The article was written for a start-up business but you will be able to make the connection around the similarities when selling yourself as an employee.

Edited June 18, 2013 by ottg

[g26130]

My experience with the hidden job market.

I was applying directly to companies. A large company was advertising for a position. I was overqualified but toned down my CV to produce a 100% fit. I got the job and started the same time as another colleague. We have become close friends. I later found out our boss had created the position for my friend and had written the ad to benefit my friend. I just happened to score better marks in the interview. It was very technical. My boss had to create a business case to create an additional position for my friend.

I think this only applies with large organisations where they have to advertise for a short period. In this case 3 weeks and they only advertised on the company webpage.

The hidden job market is a bit of a catch 22. You can't get in if you don't have a job and you can't get a job if you can't get in.

Any company with good corporate governance would formally advertise which opens a small window of opportunity for us immigrants.