The job seeker who is employed is not necessarily the one who can do the job best, rather, the one who knows the most about how to get hired.

Before a job seeker can start, it is necessary to consider the key strategies or considerations in seeking for that job. These include: preferred work situation, target market, the obvious market, and the hidden market.

Preferred Work Situation

Assuming that the job seeker has a clear idea of what needs to be offered in terms his/her skills, experiences, and educational attainment, the type of industry or preferred business should be considered.

For example: Is it a service, industrial, health or manufacturing? It the sector of interest in a 'growth' sector? Is the job easily accessible? Is it information technology, training, consumer products, export or import? What are the possible positions that can be looked for in that business? Will it be a large or small, multinational, or one that is a corporation or entrepreneurial?

In other words, if the type of industry or business sector is important to the job seeker, it should be seriously taken into consideration.

Target Job Market

Briefly, a job market is the total number of vacant jobs open to those seeking employment. If a particular industry is preferred by the job seeker, sufficient information should be gathered before targeting the market.

For example: What are the present and future prospects? How are the current economic conditions affecting the industry?

Here are some helpful tips where to look:

• Read newspapers
• Follow news/programs on television
• Talk to someone who knows
• Go to the public library and look at trade journals, Business Directory, etc.
• Use telephone directory
• Avail of business associations, it might help!
• Join trade shows or seminars, if available

Obvious Job Market

If the job is advertised, there are several factors to be considered prior application:

Read the advertisement very well:

• Do you meet the specifications?
• What do you know about the company?
• Do you know anyone who works there?
• Should you write, telephone or email?

Gather information before attempting to contact the company. Consider ringing the receptionist first. Nowadays, companies have websites. Visit it. If physical location is known, it's a good idea to have a "look" around.

Unless the advertisement makes it clear that the company wants a written application you can make a phone call, but to express interest, keep it brief and succinct.

Letter to the company should be direct. Specific points in the advertisements should be answered and a brief description of relevant experience and resumes should be included.

Hidden Job Market

Another job market referred to as "hidden job market" are those unadvertised jobs filled by word of mouth or jobs created. An approach to this kind of market is to use your own network, your personal contacts. They are a great resource. Your friends, ex-colleagues, and other people you know may like to be helpful, but until they are approached they will not know you need advice or support.

If you know someone in the company, he or she can be your "eyes and ears" and can give valuable information like names of decision makers or senior officers within the organisation.

List the names of your potential contacts. For instance, people you have known over the years, ex-colleagues, old classmates, bank managers, doctor, others you have known from church or community associations. Think of your most likely referees and get them to work for and with you. Stay in touch with personal contacts. If they provide a lead, they should be informed what happens. They should always be advised.

As a job seeker you should recognize opportunities. Sometimes, best leads can come from subtle clues.

Job Search Related Links:

• Approaching Potential Employers - How to approach a possible hirer
• Job Search Follow-Up - The Importance of Follow-Up after an Interview and Tone of Letter
• Job Search Marketing approach - How to plan a strategy to develop a job interview.
• Job Search Telephone Techniques