Lavie Margolin
Today I have a contribution from a guest blogger who also has a successful career coaching blog & book to assist job seekers. His practical advice helps many find great positions – even in this economy. He also happens to have been the inspiration for my blog, so I have to give major props and encourage you to buy his book.
Lavie Margolin is a New York-based Job Search Advisor, Public Speaker and the Author of Lion Cub Job Search: Practical Job Search Assistance for Practical Job Seekers. To read more of Lavie’s advice, check out his blog at www.lioncubjobsearch.blogspot.com
“80% of jobs are not advertised” is just not true.
It has been said over and over again that 80% of jobs are not advertised. It has been written about so many times that it is taken as fact.
Having the experience of helping professionals in their job search for nearly eight years, I think this 80% number is inflated and false.
How many midsized to large companies do you know of that do not list their jobs publicly? To prove that fact, think of any company with more than 200 employees. Search for the company on Indeed.com and and you will notice that many of their job vacancies are listed. After all, why would they not list job openings and keep them a secret?
By repeating this 80% myth over and over, it is dissuading job seekers from looking for work. The thinking goes: “why should I apply for work when most jobs are not advertised?”
It is true that some smaller companies do not advertise their jobs as it will be cost prohibitive but this is a tiny fraction.
Perhaps this 80% number comes from a strict definition of the word “advertise”. An advertisement is defined as a PAID announcement or promotion. There are many jobs publicly available for viewing that are not PAID for:
1. The official company website
2. Job Boards that do not require a fee from the employer
3. Industry news publications
4. Industry blogs
5. Yahoo/Google Groups
6. Linkedin Groups
7. Social Network postings
8. Bulletin boards
The truth of the matter is that most jobs ARE advertised (or at least publicly available for viewing). A key to receiving a successful response is to apply for those jobs in a dynamic way:
Are you sending the same resume and cover letter for every job or taking the time to make sure it is an appealing advertisement for that job specifically?
Are you then finding a contact in the company through your network on Linkedin and asking them to advocate on your behalf?
Most jobs are out there for you to see. Be dynamic to have the best chance at receiving a response.
Thanks Lavie! Again, to read more check out Lavie’s blog or to buy his book go to:
…and for my opinion on getting jobs advertised online: http://wp.me/pWfpN-4K
Shortlink to this post: http://wp.me/pWfpN-eM
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