Learn

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What is the “Hidden” Job Market?

Time:Set the timer to 60 minutes for the Learn section.

“Look Where There Is Less Competition” (No video? Read page 48.)

Read:Let’s read together the words on the fishing diagram below. The fish represent jobs. Notice where most of the fish are, or where most jobs are found.

Discuss:Which person can catch the most fish? Circle that person. Where is the “hidden” job market?

Read:There are many more opportunities in the hidden job market than in the traditional job market. Where are we looking for jobs? Where should we be looking for jobs?

boats and fish

A job posted in ads or on the Internet		Everyone knows about the job—high competition
A job available through government or private job-placement services		Many people know about the job—medium competition
Company plans to fill a job that is not necessarily posted		Few know—low competition
Job may not be posted yet or is available only through someone who knows someone		Nobody knows—no competition

Read:QUESTION OF THE WEEK—How do I access the “hidden” job market?

ACTION OF THE WEEK—Have face-to-face meetings with potential employers.

During this meeting, we’ll learn and practice skills to help us answer this question and perform this crucial action.

Where is the hidden job market?

“Most Productive Sources” (No video? Read page 48.)

Read:Some job search strategies are more effective than others. In some countries, the number of people who find jobs in certain ways may be similar to the chart below. It may be different in your area.

Practice:As a group, answer these questions:

1. In this chart, what method do most people use to look for a job?

2. Which method is the most successful for finding a job?

   METHOD	WHERE PEOPLE SPEND TIME LOOKING FOR JOBS	WHERE PEOPLE ACTUALLY FIND JOBS
   Advertisements/Internet	65%	14%
   Government or private job placement services	27%	21%
   Personal contacts with companies	3%	30%
   Word of mouth (personal contacts and referrals)	5%	35%

   This is the hidden job market. Focus here and avoid 92% of the competition!

   But don’t ignore these options, or you may miss 35% of the jobs!

How do I access the hidden job market?

Read:We already have the keys to this hidden job market! It takes personal contacts. And we make the best personal contacts by using our (1) “me in 30 seconds” and our (2) power statements through our (3) growing network. As we learned in our last meeting, our network includes people we know and the people they know.

men shapes

You

People you know

People they know

“Building Your Network” (No video? Read page 49.)

Discuss:Did you use your “me in 30 seconds” and power statements since our last meeting? Did you ask your contacts to speak with their contacts for you?

Networking tips

1. Ask contacts for employment leads, information, and ideas.

2. Always ask for more referrals.

3. Keep accurate records and follow up.

Practice:Our group is our first source for networking. Let’s begin to expand our network right now! Read the instructions below and then begin:

1. Stand up and turn to the person next to you.

2. Give the other person your “me in 30 seconds” and end with these two questions: “Who do you know who might help me find some contacts?” “Would you please talk to those people and ask for their help?”

3. Write down the contacts in the network list on the next page and ask the other person to give you more before the next meeting as they think of them.

4. Then switch places and do this again.

5. Move around and do this with other group members.

6. Write down as many contacts as you can on the next page.

7. After our meeting, do this with other people you know.

8. In the Priority column, number each person you will contact from 1 to 20.

NETWORK LIST
Name	Contact Information (phone number, address, email)	Priority

Read:Before our next meeting, we will contact these people, as well as everyone else we know and their contacts. We will continually add to the list. As we contact these people, we will use our power statements to show them all what we can do for them!

We can speak with these people and many more!

• Friends

• Relatives

• Neighbors

• Members of our Church

• People we play sports with

• Former co-workers

How do I meet with the managers who hire people?

Read:Networking can lead us to businesses that are hiring. But we need to find the person who makes the hiring decisions.

Practice:Let’s practice as a group.

1. Assign one person to be the job seeker. This person should be ready to give a “me in 30,” a question, and a power statement to an employer.

2. Assign two more people to be employees: employee 1 and employee 2.

3. Assign another person to be the manager.

4. Have all four people stand up. The facilitator reads the first line in this role play. Then the others read their lines.

• Facilitator: This job seeker enters a store or office where she wants to work. She speaks to the first employee she sees.

• Job Seeker: Hello. Who is the manager on duty now?

• Employee 1: Oh, that’s Mr. Valenzuela, but I don’t know where he is right now. You could ask his assistant over there.

• Job Seeker: Thank you. [Turns to employee 2.]

• Job Seeker: Hello. Could you tell me where Mr. Valenzuela is?

• Employee 2: He went to get something. He should be back soon. Oh, there he is.

• Job Seeker: Oh, yes. Thank you. [Turns to Mr. Valenzuela.]

• Job Seeker: Mr. Valenzuela, good morning. I am ________ [name]. [Gives a “me in 30 seconds” and ends with a question.] How could someone with my skills help your business?

• Manager: Actually, we were starting to look for someone like you. I only have one minute. Tell me quickly about yourself.

• Job Seeker: [Gives an appropriate power statement.] I know you’re busy. When could we spend a little more time together, this afternoon or tomorrow?

Discuss:If the manager says “no” or “come back later” or “fill out an application,” what could the job seeker say?

Read:We will need to adapt to each situation.

Practice:Stand up and divide into groups of four. Repeat the role play so everyone gets a chance to be the job seeker.

manager diagram

Job Seeker

Employee 1

Employee 2

Manager

Read:We now have several powerful tools to use in our contacts: “me in 30 seconds,” power statements, and meeting the manager. You can also learn to turn negatives into positives on page 33.

Discuss:How will you use these tools to have many productive meetings before the next time we meet?

Practice:Turn to page 50 and take turns reading how to track your job search efforts. Then return here.