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Hidden Job Market

10 Options For Your Next Career Move

July 16, 2020 by Markitors

Finding a new job in the midst of layoffs, furloughs and economic uncertainty seems like a nightmare. Endless applications and hours of searching can make you feel discouraged and wary. Fortunately, there are many options for new career moves for those still looking for them.

We asked ten thought leaders to recommend options for those who are seeking their next career moves and opportunities. Below, find ideas and suggestions for different paths you may not have considered before.


Beauty and Wellness

The Beauty and Wellness industry is in constant demand for qualified, creative and well-trained professionals. Working in this industry allows you to meet all different kinds of people and aid in improving their self-esteem. It is a rewarding industry to build a career in and if you are innovative and ambitious, there is no limit to your potential. 

Vanessa Molica, The Lash Professional



Help Others

When you feel stuck in your current career path, why not help others find their own career path?  Working for a recruiting or staffing agency could open the door to an exciting career that changes day to day and opens your eyes to all the exciting industries and positions that exist.

Denise Gredler, BestCompaniesAZ



Align Your Mission With Theirs

Making a career change can be as simple as doing a job you are already qualified to do at a company you are passionate about. Culture is an important part of combating employee burnout. Do your research on companies with mission statements and values that speak to you, and take your skills to non-profit organizations or startups that will give you the change you are needing in your career. 

Megan Chiamos, 365 Cannabis 



Reach Out for Informational Interviews

Consider reaching out and conducting some informational interviews with leaders in areas in which you’re interested. How did those professionals get started in that industry? What were some of the hurdles? What should they do to prepare for a similar journey? Many professionals are happy to pay it forward by helping others get a new start or a head’s up on a possible new career.

Colleen McManus, Senior Consultant 



Sourcing and Supply Chain Management 

The outbreak of COVID-19 has really illustrated how fragile our supply chain can be. With many businesses shut down permanently and even more treading in that direction, there is going to be an increasing demand for quality Sourcing and Supply Chain Management professionals. Every company will need to reevaluate their supply chain and find opportunities to become more efficient and eliminate risks. When recessions hit, professionals who can save a company money while improving operations are very valuable.

Adam Sanders, Successful Release



Discover Flexibility in the Job Search Market

Most folks have more career options than they realize. I have seen retail managers become Human Resources pros, bank managers become corporate trainers and nurses become top medical equipment salespeople. The first step is the job market research. Check out actual job postings to determine if your experience can be reframed to fit the qualifications for that job.

Joni Holderman, Thrive! Resumes



Focus on Long Term Ambitions

Think about the skills you need to be successful in your end objective and look for roles that help you build or further this skill set. For example, if your long term goal is to be an entrepreneur, but you’re in the 9-5 grind, think about what roles can allow you to take ownership and bias for action, both vital for success in business.

Ahmed Mir, Nature and Bloom



Find Jobs the Provide the Most Fulfillment

If you are an experienced professional, look back at your previous job experience and find the tasks and jobs that provided you with the most fulfillment. Look for the things that made you the happiest in your professional career. If you have just graduated from school, do the same thing with the classes you took or your personal interests. Choose a career that you can be passionate about because we spend over half of our lives at work.

Dana Felix, HR Analyst



Be Prepared for Your Future Career Move

Although there might not be many job opportunities available at this time, it’s important to stay excited about your future career move and be prepared for it. In the meantime, focus on networking and building relationships with the people who can help you get in when the opportunity does become available. Additionally, take courses to build your skillset, update your resumé, and monitor LinkedIn for new opportunities. 

Grecia Olachea, Education SEO Company



Consider What You Want Next

Before making a career move, take inventory of your current skills and your ideal work culture and environment. This is also a good time to consider if you want to continue working a traditional job or would like to look at contract work or starting your own business. There are several websites that provide surveys and resources to help narrow down a search. Additionally, working with a career coach or executive coach might be worth considering.

Nicole Spracale, Coaching & Consulting

Filed Under: Career Advice Blog Tagged With: New Job, Thought Leaders, Career Move, Career Change, Hidden Job Market

2/1/17 – Exposing the Hidden Job Market

February 6, 2017 by Sheila

Absolutely Abby KohutWritten by: Connie Huber PHR SHRM-CP

As job seekers, we use many sources to help us to find our new position. The job search is frustrating and disappointing to say the least. Our interest is peaked whenever we learn there is a source that will guide us to success. One source that we hear over and over again but know little about is the “hidden job market”. The “hidden job market” is a very stubborn statistic in the world of job seeking, or more specifically, networking. The “hidden job market” is comprised of 80% of those jobs that are never advertised.

Keynote Speaker

Exposing the Hidden Job Market
Abby Kohut, @Absolutely_Abby

Abby challenged us by asking how we would go about hiring a nanny. For all of us, our children are very dear to our hearts and we take every effort in making sure our children are protected. In filling a position, employers want to find the perfect candidate that will be an asset to their organization.

WHY NOT POST THE POSITION?
There are a number or reasons why employers would not elect to post the position. Those factors include:
• Trust Factor
• Cost of Advertising
• Deluge of Resumes
• Tipping Off the Competition
• Position is Confidential

STEPS FOR FILLING A JOB
In filling a position, there are several steps and considerations in determining how to fill a job.
• Consider present employees-anyone qualified and/or interested.
• Consider past employees.
• Employee recommendations.
• Search Applicant Tracking System, Monster or LinkedIn.
• Post internally.
• Post the job.

A SMORGASBORD OF IDEAS
Abby’s goal was to wet our appetite in ways to discover hidden opportunities.
ALLOW FOR SERENDIPITY

THE NEVER ENDING INTERVIEW
• During your job search, you should tell everyone you meet that you are looking for a job. Be sure to let those individuals know what you do.
• Church, Alumni Groups, the gym, Associations, fraternities, friends, family, co-workers and neighbors are all great resources for you to connect and inform of your job search goals.
• Other contacts that have led to a job offer have been while getting a haircut, washing your car, the exterminator and a neighbor while taking out the trash.

“I AM BETWEEN SUCCESSES!”
When people ask us what we do, we quickly reply, “I am unemployed!” Abby encouraged us to reframe our response to “I am between successes!” Doing so places the job searcher in a more positive light and makes you a more desirable candidate.

SOLVE PROBLEMS FOR COMPANIES WHO DON’T KNOW THAT THEY HAVE THEM.
Abby shared the story of a women who had shopped at a major drugstore chain and never had an employee share with her the company’s savings and rewards program. The customer who was very talented in marketing proceeded to reach out to the company’s CEO and shared her ideas on how to present the program to customers. In return, the customer was flown to the corporate office to personally share her ideas with the CEO. By the end of her visit the company had created a job for her and extended the offer to the woman.

DELIVER A PRESENTATION
Take time and establish how to save money for a company. Determine a value proposition and what you do better than someone else. Put your ideas into a presentation and deliver to one of the following:
• Association/Organization
• Chamber of Commerce
• Alumni Event
• SHRM Event
Your audience can open potential opportunities to you to perform contract or full-time employment.

TAKE/TEACH A CLASS
This activity offers a wealth of networking opportunities. You will meet fellow professionals in your field. The company usually pays for expensive classes. You could very well connect with someone who could give you an invaluable lead or introduction.

INTERESTING HOBBIES
• Beekeeping
• Stamp Collecting
• Ballroom Dancing
• Plane Spotting
• Needlepoint
• Ping Pong
Your hobbies can introduce you to hidden opportunities.

FILL THE TIME GAPS
Employers view employment gaps in a negative light. Seek out ways to make your time productive and offer the possibility of hidden jobs. Some ideas are:
• Take or teach a class.
• Volunteer
• Take care of children or family.
On your resume be sure to note the reason for the time gap.

HIGHLIGHT YOUR INTERESTS
Be sure to highlight your interests on your resume. The person reading your resume may share similar passions or it may peak his/her rationale in meeting you.

USE LINKEDIN EFFECTIVELY TO OPEN DOORS
LinkedIn sends notifications to you informing you of your network’s birthdays, new jobs and work anniversaries. Seize the moment to send a congratulatory note and invite the professional to a cup of coffee. Wait a week after you receive the reminder so your request does not get missed in all the other comments.

HOBNOB WITH THE C-SUITE…..CEO, CFO, COO
The best venues for these connections are the following.
• Paid Seminars/Events
• Conferences
• Church
• Golf Course
• Volunteer
• Buy Stock….Doing so will get you an invitation to the shareholders meeting.
You may get a price reduction in seminars/events and conferences by asking if there is a discount if you are unemployed.

SUGGESTIONS TO CAPTURE RECRUITERS’ ATTENTION
Abby shared some unique ways to get noticed.
• TESTIMONIALS
Ask your friends and co-workers both current and past if they are willing to give a testimonial on how great you are as a professional. Offer free pizza and film their thoughts on you. Place the session on YouTube and attach it to your LinkedIn profile.
You can also film your own video and highlight the top 10 reasons why an employer should hire you.
• FACEBOOK AD
You can place an ad on Facebook to get a potential employer to notice you. The best way to do so is to place the ad directly on the desired employer’s Facebook page. Place ads one at a time.
• BILLBOARD
Buy space on a billboard and feature your skills and desired job. One job seeker had 4 job offers in 4 months.
• GOOGLE AD
You can buy an ad on Google for $6. If interested in learning more, google “The Google Job Experiment” to read more about one job seekers success.
• CHOCOLATE RESUME
Make your resume unique. Yes, there has been a job seeker who made a chocolate resume! For more details google “chocolate resume”.

Best wishes in discovering the hidden job market!

“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
Michael Jordan

Hiring Companies

Arizona Department of Economic Security
Katherine Arnsbarger, Senior Recruiter

DES works with families, community organizations, advocates and state federal partners to realize its vision that every child, adult and family in the state of Arizona will be safe and economically stable. DES helps Arizonians reach their potential through temporary assistance for those in need, and care for the vulnerable. The agency’s culture is highlighted by teamwork, respect, integrity, accountability and diversity. There are six divisions at DES including Aging and Adult Services, Early Intervention Services, Benefits and Medical Eligibility, Child Support Services, Employment and Rehabilitation Services and Developmental Disabilities. The benefits are robust and focus attention on Career Development. Career fields are many and include Dental Care, Administrative, Graphics and Design, Health Care, Human Resources, Procurement, Security and Safety, and Warehouse. There are currently multiple opportunities and openings. If interested in learning more and applying, go to this website.

Trinity Services Group
Nancy Lee-Stanford, Talent Acquisition/Recruiter Arizona

Trinity Services is the leading food, commissary and technology provider to the corrections industry. The organization serves anywhere from 200-1,000 inmates three times a day. Trinity is currently hiring Food Service Directors, Asst. Food Service Directors, Unit Manager and more. Benefits are many and include training opportunities. New employees become fully vested after 30 days of employment. Employees have the ability to grow and develop professionally. To learn more about Trinity and employment possibilities, visit the career page at Trinity Services Group.

Ashton Tiffany
Tom Carr, HR Director

Ashton Tiffany has been in Phoenix since 1995. The organization is about fun and professional culture, operational excellence, financial strength and outstanding reputation. Ashton Tiffany are risk management consultants and help organizations reduce risk and reduce the cost of it. For the ninth year running, Ashton Tiffany was named one of Phoenix’s “Best Places to Work” by the Phoenix Business Journal. Current opportunities include Senior Accountant, Internal Auditor, Senior Benefits Consultant, Front Desk Receptionist, Property Claims Adjuster, Multi-lines Claims Adjuster and School Bus Driver Trainer. Joining Ashton Tiffany will provide you with numerous benefits and an award winning culture. Desired skills include attitude and aptitude. For more details visit their website.

Vanguard
Renee Brown, Senior Recruiter

Vanguard’s rich heritage is powerfully evoked by its logo, the image of a ship. The company is named for a distinguished 18th-century vessel. Meaning “in the forefront,” the name has proven quite fitting as they have grown to become a leader in serving investors. From its start in 1975, Vanguard has stood out as a very different kind of investment firm. Vanguard was founded on a simple but revolutionary idea—that a mutual fund company should not have outside owners. Founder John C. Bogle structured Vanguard as a client-owned mutual fund company with no outside owners seeking profits. Vanguard has 16 locations worldwide with more than 14,000 crew members. The Scottsdale location has 3,000 employees. Positions are entry level to management and include openings such as client relationship specialist, processing associate, retirement plan service representative, financial advisor and team leader roles. Most jobs require a license. Benefits begin on day 1 and are robust including some unique offerings such as pet insurance, cell phone discounts, car services and dining. Great efforts are taken to ensure that employees have a work life balance. To learn more about employment opportunities at Vanguard go the careers page.

Resources

City of Phoenix
Rob Stenson, Supervisor, Business & Workforce Development Center

Rob reminded the group of the purpose of Arizona@Work, “provide resources that link qualified workers to quality employers”. There are a number of Job Centers located around the valley. Those centers offer job search and workforce development; and business services. Rob highlighted the different skill development packages offered by the City of Phoenix. Those include Seminars available to the public; Level 1 Package-Skills Match the Job Market; and Level 2 Package-Research Pathways to Higher Wages. Seminars include: Arizona Job Connection (AJC), How to Create a Winning Resume, Perfecting Your Interviewing Skills, Mock Interview Lab, Understanding LinkedIn, Leveraging LinkedIn, 21st Century Job Search Seminar, and Job Clubs. The 3-day sessions are focused on ways to jumpstart your job search. Topics discussed are Social Skills, Creating and Implementing a Job Search Plan, Interviewing, and Long Term Career Management. The 3-hour session emphasizes Employability. Rob reminded us of the two sources for potential job opportunities including the AZ Job Connection or Maricopa Career Planning System. Phoenix Public Library has a number of E-Resources available. With your Phoenix Public Library Card you can attend nearly 500 online classes, adult learning center, video resume, learning languages and career guidance center.

Coder Camps
Jason Jones, Admission Representative

Coder Camps prepares students for a career in software development with immersive coding bootcamps, online instruction, and career placement support. Graduates are equipped with a practical knowledge of full-stack software development, interview skills and a portfolio demonstrating their abilities. Coder Camps’ accelerated learning programs are offered full-time, part-time and online. The school is the only code camp to offer graduates lifetime access to all courses, a community of developers, and career services for free.

Closing

Jessica Pierce, Executive Director, Career Connectors, closed the meeting by thanking North Phoenix Baptist Church and the volunteers. The next Career Connectors meeting will be in Scottsdale on Thursday, February 9, 2017 and features Andy Ridley as speaker for the topic “How to Work a Job Fair” For additional information on this event and future events, please visit the event page.

Filed Under: Event Recaps Tagged With: Hidden Job Market, Ashton Tiffany, Trinity Services Group, AZ DES, Coder Camps, Vanguard, arizonaatwork, Abby Kohut

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Testimonials

A good friend told me of her success using Career Connectors networking.  She landed an interview and later, a job in her field, after attending one networking event.  So, when it was my turn, I had to check it out. I was starting to get the blues about being unemployed but the speaker lifted me out of the dumps and put my life back in perspective. So many people were there to help and offer support!   Just by networking that day, I was given a job lead that has led to two interviews and a… Read more
Mary B.
Great lead for follow up with a couple of employers.
Rebecca, R.N.
I started a FT position back on June 3rd.   Thanks to you and your organization for helping me to stay motivated and focused during my job search.   Getting out weekly to your events was terrific.
George M.
This was terrific! Very successful. I’m glad I came!
Maggie D.
Career Connectors made the pivotal difference in my search for employment after a layoff lasting a full year. Their dedication to providing a consistent, local and no-cost program and venue to search, network and learn, ultimately provided not only an excellent fit in a new job, but also the ability to regain dignity and the ability to achieve financial independence once again. I am forever grateful to all of the volunteers that produced a program so vitally important to our family
Anonymous
Navigating the world of career transition can be an overwhelming experience.  In addition to the mechanics of transition (updated resume, career search strategies), there is the deeper need to connect to people who are in the same situation as you are.   For me, all of this was answered by Career Connectors!  Had it not been for this organization, I might still be sitting in my house, wondering what to do next!  At just one Career Connectors meeting you can be inspired by great speakers, … Read more
Iris M.
It was amazing, you guys did a great job! I found several potential companies!
Irene
I would like to share that I landed a contract position for 6 months with possible conversion to a permanent position on the team after those contract periods complete. I work on a team as an Instructional Designer and the team is virtual, which means I am able to work from home 100% of the time! I am very excited for the future of my career! I wanted to share that I sadly won’t be seeing you at Career Connector events for the next 6 months at the very least, and we’ll see how my performance … Read more
Bill T.
Thank you for all you do! I’ve been nine loooong months looking for a full-time position and Career Connectors was a real life-line. I was pretty discouraged by the time I found your organization on-line and first visited. The speaker provided some great information but most importantly, encouragement and hope. The panel discussion on resumes was incredibly helpful! Last month I had the opportunity to sit with Brenda and she suggested I really pare back all but the last 10 years of experience an… Read more
Robin C.
I wanted to take the time to write you to express my sincerest gratitude for all that you and those who work with you do for so many of us!I lost my job due to our medical office being closed. Your company came highly recommended by an HR person who worked with us as employees to help give us a hand up to become employed again through a very generous program provided by my employer. I am employed again in a job that I really love. It came with wonderful, kind, encouraging management and coworker… Read more
Ann Marie H.
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