[ Layout and positioning for Finding the Job 2 ]

	Locating Hidden Jobs
	Let Your Fingers Do the Walking
	Job Leads are Everywhere
	Job Leads from Cyberspace

Today, job seekers have many more interesting and helpful methods available to them than just passively responding to newspaper ads. They involve being proactive, doing some research and some legwork. The key to all job hunting strategies is networking.

According to a US Department of Labor study, four out of five jobs filled everyday are never advertised. Only 15-25% are ever advertised through any of the "traditional" sources, including classified ads, state employment service, private employment agencies, or school and college placement offices. The other 75-85% of the available jobs may be accessed through the informal or "Hidden Job Market". Most job seekers limit their search for job leads to the traditional sources listed above and it is important to check these sources regularly.

[ Layout and positioning for Locating Hidden Jobs ]

Locating Hidden Jobs

The best method of locating job leads is through 'networking'. You can begin to develop a 'network' by making a list of people who know you by name and are friendly with you. It's helpful to break this list down into categories like friends, relatives, school contacts, work contacts, etc. Before contacting anyone, be sure you have a clear idea of what you have to offer and what you want. Don't assume people who know you will automatically know what your skills are. It helps to write this information down in a brief, clear statement you can review before making your network contacts. For example:

"I just completed my training in computers at Anytown College where I learned to work on the internet using FrontPage Software. You know I've always been reliable and good with people. I was hoping you might know of a job opening in my field or someone else who might be able to help."

You may want to contact people on your network list in person or by phone. Your conversation should include the following information:

[ Layout and positioning for Locating Hidden Jobs ]

	Greeting and small talk
	What you have to offer
	How they can help
	Request for names of others who might know of job openings
	Call back arrangements
Be sure to write down all important information, names, and phone numbers of others you may add to your network. If you get only two or three referrals from each person on your original list, each referral provides two or more and so on, imagine the numbers of people you could reach. Networking helps you meet potential employers you would not find using any other method. These potential employers are a friend of a friend of a friend. They are willing to see you for this reason. It is a simple idea and it does work! More people get jobs through who they know, their 'network', than any other source.

[ Layout and positioning for Locating Hidden Jobs ]

Many other job leads can be found in newspapers. These job leads are "hidden" because they are not specific advertisements in help-wanted sections. Instead they are leads you get by reading about businesses. Smaller community papers and the business section of larger papers are good sources of the following kinds of information:
	New businesses and industries.
	New businesses opening in an area often need to hire many new employees.
	Transfers and promotions.
	When an employee receives a transfer or promotion, the employer may have a new job opening. A promotion is an advance in position or rank within a company.

[ Layout and positioning for Let Your Fingers Do the Walking ]

Let Your Fingers Do the Walking

Another effective way of finding job leads is through making direct contact with potential employers. You can access 100% of the jobs in any given job market through the Yellow Pages of your phone book. Begin by considering all the types of organizations which employ people with your skills. Under which Yellow Pages headings (such as physicians, optometrists, electronics, attorneys, etc.) would you look to find these organizations? Each listing is a potential employer.

Decide which type of potential employer you would most enjoy working for and begin calling businesses listed under that heading. Call each one and ask to come in for an interview. Again, it's important to prepare a statement of your qualifications and practice it before making any calls. For example:

[ Layout and positioning for Let Your Fingers Do the Walking ]

"Good morning Mr. Interviewer, my name is John/Jane Doe. I'm interested in a position as a Physician's Assistant. I just completed a two year program at Anytown College where I learned to work well with others. I have also worked at Anytown Hospital, while doing my internship, where I got hands-on experience. I'm reliable  and very good with patients. When can I come in for an interview?"

You will improve your chances of success by following the steps listed below when phoning potential employers.

[ Layout and positioning for Let Your Fingers Do the Walking Bullets ]

	Greet and identify yourself by name to whoever answers the phone.
	Ask for the name of the department head of the unit where people with your skills work. Then ask to speak with that person.
	Greet and give your name to the department head and call him/her by name.
	Give your qualifications.
	Ask for an interview. If you get one, thank him/her and you are done for now. If not, follow the remaining steps.
	Repeat the request to meet and discuss career opportunities available now or in the future.
	Repeat the request to meet and discuss career opportunities available now or in the future.
	Ask for other job leads in the area.
	Thank him/her for the information and ask if you may call back at a later time.

Networking and direct telephone contact with employers are excellent methods of locating unadvertised job leads. In both cases, it's important to present yourself and your qualifications in the most positive way possible. It's also important to maintain a log to record all of your contacts and the outcome of each contact, because a few initial calls can lead to hundreds of network contacts if your approach is working. If your approach is not working, you could probably benefit from a job search skills-training program of workshop. These programs can last from a  couple of hours to several weeks. For more information on programs in your area, call your local Office of Employment and Training local office, your school counselor, nearby college or university career center.

[ Layout and positioning for Job Leads are Everywhere! ]

Job Leads are Everywhere!

Job leads are all around you if you are "tuned in". Let everyone you meet know you are looking and you are qualified for a job. For example: service station attendants, grocery store clerks, and mail carriers are people who know you on a casual basis and make "small talk" every week. This makes them excellent "network" contacts because they are probably making small talk with other people too.

When you drive down the street, look for new businesses opening soon. When you read the newspaper, you can learn more about potential jobs from the business and metro sections than the classified ads. Any social event becomes an opportunity to make "network" contacts. Job leads are all around you if you're "tuned in" and can present yourself in a positive way.

[ Layout and positioning for Job Leads From Cyberspace ]

Job Leads From Cyberspace

There is no disputing it. The internet is fast becoming an essential resource for college and career planning information and job leads. For each step in the following Career Development Process, you will find dozens of excellent sites for gathering information and in some cases even interactive assistance. Recent studies have shown that the most successful Internet job seekers go directly to the web pages of corporations or organizations where they would like to work and search their job listings for positions.

Like the rest of the Internet, the quality of web site information ranges from exceptional to questionable. Each site lists many other related links for you to explore, which could take some time. Why not start your job search with the Kentucky Job Bank and save yourself time!