How can I make myself known on the hidden job market?

/in /by

To find unadvertised vacancies – that is, those that aren’t publicly advertised – you need to make yourself visible. On the one hand, this means making yourself known to decision-makers within companies; on the other hand, it also means raising your profile within the industry as a whole. Attend events, trade fairs and talks, and strike up conversations with people during coffee breaks. Small talk is key.
The conversation can start with something trivial. It’s then a good idea to find out as much information as possible about your target sector or company, get the names of other contacts, and perhaps even exchange business cards at the end. The aim isn’t to land a job through these conversations, but rather to give chance a helping hand in your job search. The larger your network becomes, the more likely word of your job search will spread. Eventually, the right person at the right company will hear about you at the right time – or, conversely, you’ll hear about a vacancy. You can also tap into existing networks, such as relatives and friends, to help with this.

I’d also like to use the telephone when contacting companies. Could you give me a few tips on what I should bear in mind in general when doing so?

/in /by

Unlike in face-to-face contact, you cannot see the person you are speaking to during a telephone conversation, which means that auditory cues take on greater significance. You should therefore pay particular attention to the following recommendations during a telephone call:

– After a friendly greeting, always introduce yourself politely by name first.
– Right at the start of the conversation, ask whether the person you’re speaking to has time for a brief chat. If they’re pressed for time or have a busy schedule, it’s best to suggest a specific time for another call or ask when would be a more convenient time to ring back.
– Make a note of the name of the person on the other end of the line and address them by name from time to time.
– Smile during the conversation. The people you’re speaking to can sense this smile in your tone of voice, which will make you more likeable.
– Keep it brief and be precise. Always bear in mind the actual aim of the call: to arrange an appointment for a follow-up face-to-face meeting. To secure an invitation, you must also spark your counterpart’s interest with your brief introduction.

– Project confidence! Ask when the person you’re speaking to has time for an informal chat, rather than asking if you can get an appointment for a job interview (you’re more likely to be turned down if you do that). You might also suggest something yourself, such as dropping off your application documents in person at a time when you’ll be in the area anyway…
– If neither a face-to-face meeting nor the opportunity to leave your application on file is possible, try to use the people you’re speaking to as a source of information (e.g. about other vacancies in this sector).

How can I make the most of my network as I start my career?

/in /by

In many companies, a vacancy is advertised internally before an official job advertisement is published. Employees can then either apply for the position themselves or recommend someone they know. Generally speaking, employees usually know whether their company is looking to recruit. And it is precisely this advantage that employees have in terms of information that you can use to your benefit.

So don’t hesitate to ‘tap into’ the information held by people you know by

– telling your contacts which sectors and roles you are looking for;

– asking them to enquire within their own company and among their own circle of acquaintances about any open or forthcoming vacancies in this area;

– if you hear of any potentially interesting vacancies, simply send a speculative application to the relevant company.

Also ask your ‘source’ for helpful information on how to structure your application documents, such as the job requirements, company philosophy, working conditions, etc.

How do companies benefit from trainee programmes?

/in /by

Trainee programmes are usually designed to enable employees to familiarise themselves with all areas of a company, so that a decision can then be made as to which department they are best suited to. Participants in the programme then receive the relevant training and further education. This increases the likelihood that the company will have the right person in the right role.

What information about the company should I find out before applying?

/in /by

Take a look at the annual reports on the relevant website, for example; you’ll learn quite a bit that you can use to your advantage in your application. You should also take a close look at the figures provided. If you then find out about any special projects and products, that’s sure to go down well.

Does it make sense to make a series of phone calls in one go before submitting a speculative application?

/in /by

Bedenken Sie, dass es oft einige Telefonate dauern kann, bis Sie “warm gelaufen” sind. Am besten setzen Sie sich also immer das Ziel, eine Mindestanzahl von Anrufen in Folge zu tätigen. Um diesen Trainingseffekt zu nutzen sollten Sie schon mit ein paar Unternehmen telefoniert haben, bis Sie Ihren Top-Favoriten anrufen.