The Hidden Job Market: Building a Referral Network

by Mary Toomey on December 9th, 2015

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Most experts agree that only 15-20% of all available jobs become advertised to the public.   These positions are considered to be “hidden or the “underground” job market. With such a high percentage of jobs going unadvertised, word-of-mouth referral is among the surest way to land a new job.   A study done by CareerXroads finds that a job seeker who gets referred is three to four times more hireable than someone who applies without a referral.  Here are some strategies to get more referrals and to tap into that “underground” job market.

  • Network using LinkedIn. Build your LinkedIn network with hundreds of connections and actively engage with them on a regular basis. Optimize your LinkedIn profile and keep it up to date.    Join groups and participate in discussions so people become familiar with your name and may seek you out.  At MicroTrain, we provide monthly LinkedIn Seminars to help all our clients build a professional profile and learn how to navigate LinkedIn to use their network as a referral source.
  • The cardinal rule of networking is to give first before you get.   Make sure you maintain an atmosphere of mutual exchange and not just personal gain.  Offer up job leads to others, share ideas, information and resources.  Genuinely help others before asking for help.   
  • Research companies that you would consider being a potential employee.   Companies will post on their website and rarely go to job boards.  Most companies have internal referral programs in place, so existing employees can make referrals and thereby eliminate the need for the company to conduct regular searches. 
  • Join a professional association within your industry, this will help you network with those in your industry but also help you build a stronger resume.  Volunteer time if they are having an event. 
  • Attend local networking events.  Be prepared and practice your “elevator pitch”.   The more specific you are as to the position you are looking for, the better someone might be able to help you.

Building a good referral network requires networking and telling as many people that you come in contact with that you are looking for a new position.   Be patient and persistent, the work you put in will be well worth your investment in time.

Raves & Praise

David

A Cisco Success Story

I attended a resume writing seminar & conducted mock phone interviews with a Microtrain career counselor. These two activities gave me a leg up on distinguishing myself from all the other people looking for work. Since the career counselor's at Microtrain had a track record of getting people hired, their insight and positive past experiences helped me tremendously in getting hired with a Cisco Voice Systems Integrator in the Chicago area. I was hired as a Cisco Voice Tech Engineer with a starting salary of $65,000 / year with a Cisco voice systems reseller located in the Chicagoland area. Microtrain was very instramental in making this a reality. From expediting my WIA grant, to providing excellent hands-on training from knowledgable instructors I was able to achieve becoming certified with my CCNP. Microtrain's career services was the final catalyst in connecting me with this company by communicating with them on my behalf and with me in setting up the interview. One week later and I was hired. No joke. Thanks Microtrain!

Karine Bucci

Project Management

Great class, loved the interaction and team-building exercises. Plenty of materials and learning tools supplied. Although it was a full week's class, never boring. Donna [Russell] was awesome and gave many supporting examples for better understanding.

Christopher Fowler

MCSA

Very thorough, good mix of lecture and lab work. Al is great! Keeps classes interesting and supplements required test material with need-to-know items from real world experience.

Jennie

Student Employment Success - Project/Process Manager

My Career Services Manager was very friendly and helpful and had excellent follow-up. She seemed to really care how things were going and kept me moving in the right direction. The resources available in job search were great and the visibility that there were jobs out there looking for my skillset was promising. Additionally, the training, as well as having an updated resume stating the Microtrain course work I had taken made me feel more confident and marketable as I looked for employment. It showed that I was dedicated and took project management and process management seriously.

Robert Graf

MCSA

Microtrain presents the course material in an interesting and concise manner. Microtrain gives the student all the resources necessary to pass the certification exams. Both the Chicago and Lombard facilities were excellent, and the staff goes to any length to accommodate any student changes.

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