Devious ways to get to the hiring manager

The hidden job market is alive and well: 60 – 80% of the jobs filled in 2009 were by employers hiring behind their castle walls.  They didn't always advertise what they were doing, they didn't use recruiters.  So what did they do?

So much of business is done using networking:  building relationships with contacts and finding out what pain those prospects are experiencing so that conversations are meaningful and benefits based.

Yet this can take time. And if you have just been told you are at risk of redundancy then your contact list might not be extensive enough.

I loved this article by Rosabeth Kanter
Four Ways to Attack the Castle — And Get a Job, Get Ahead, Make Change

She likens organisations to "a medieval castle that doesn't want you inside and doesn't want change.  If you attack the castle head on you risk all the defenses going up at once. (Visualise the moats filling, iron bars clanging down, doors slamming shut, and weapons activated.)"

She has some great ideas on how to find a way to go around and underneath the castle with small, less visible steps that don't trigger defenses.

Whether you are facing redundancy or just want a change of  job or career, it helps to have multiple ways to attack the castle.

Recrion specialises in Career and People Management.  For more information on seminars and 1:1 coaching on Social Networking for Career Success contact us on 01780 484910 or visit our website www.recrion.co.uk.