When looking for work, we know that only 10-20% of the jobs are advertised, leaving a substantial amount of potential positions in the hidden market. When considering how to best access those opportunities, employing cold calls and networking strategies can be very effective.

Most of us take for granted the access that we have to technology, resources, products and services. This is not the case for everyone and, for those with a disability; the world can be a very different place. Imagine going to a restaurant and having to choose your dinner by the pictures because you cannot read the menu. Imagine the challenge of trying to write down the details for an upcoming interview or applying for a job online in a timed format. In a competitive job market, a certain level of literacy is required and even those with passion, skills, personality and a post-secondary education can be left behind if the proper resources are not available.

What Employers Want

When applying for a job, the qualifications, skill sets, and personal attributes most sought after vary depending industry and company standards. Based on candid employer input, we have devised a list of the criteria most employers can agree on. Whether you are revising your resume, writing a cover letter, completing an online application, preparing for an interview, completing your LinkedIn profile, or conducting cold calls, these tips can help to provide structure for the information you may want to include.

You have applied to all relevant online postings – now what?  10 Strategies for Finding Jobs in the Hidden Market

While the majority of job seekers are knowledgeable about employer expectations, the job search process itself can be confusing. Different resume versions, online applications, and a LinkedIn account can serve as a source of frustration. In this age of technology, the job search process has become less personal, with selection sometimes being based on algorithms and human resource software specifications.

At this time of year, many people are gearing down from other activities as they prepare for the holidays. “I will get back on track in the new year” is a common phrase used by many. Yet the holiday season can provide excellent opportunities for networking as we attend events where we may not have seen people for a very long time. This gives us the opportunity to have a conversation in a more relaxed setting.

As a job seeker, you have likely heard that it is beneficial to research companies that you would like to work for. This research can help you gain a better understanding of what the company is all about which in turn helps you to better tailor your resume, cover letter and interview responses. We have outlined 10 effective strategies for making the most of your company research.

To say that deciding what you want to do for the rest of your life before age 18 is difficult is an understatement. With an ever changing labour market, it is predicted that by 2020 many of the careers that will be lucrative do not even exist yet. In addition, we have seen an emerging pattern of multiple careers over one’s work lifetime. What that means is the work life your parents knew with full time, permanent, lifetime positions with benefits and a company pension plan is not the vocational landscape of today. Yet, due to the changes in the world of work, there are also more opportunities to land international jobs, work in the gig economy, pursue careers related to innovation, or develop your entrepreneurial spirit by finding unique ways to solve current problems.
That being said, you may now find yourself at a crossroad attempting to identify whether employment, post-secondary education, apprenticeship, volunteerism or travel is the next step for you. We have devised a checklist of recommendations and resources to help you with this decision.