When you are settling into a new country, finding a new job can be difficult. Getting a job in Canada is one of the most important things you can do as a newcomer to start your career and ensure your financial security. When looking for a job in Canada, it’s important to take advantage of as many opportunities as possible to get the job you want faster. To get a job in the field you want to work in, it’s so important to get access to the hidden job market.
This article addresses questions about what the hidden job market is, why it’s important to access it, and most importantly, how to tap into Canada’s hidden job market because newcomers are frequently unfamiliar with the work culture there.
In this piece:
- What is the market for hidden jobs?
- Why is it necessary for you to access Canada’s hidden job market?
- Tips to reach the secret job market and acquire a job in Canada
What is the market for hidden jobs?
The term “hidden job market” refers to all job openings that are not advertised to the general public or made available online. Many newcomers limit their efforts to jobs that are posted online through portals, company websites, and social media; however, doing so prevents them from taking advantage of opportunities that are not widely advertised.
Instead of candidates responding to job postings, the hidden job market heavily relies on recommendations to fill positions. For many jobs, employers will either actively recruit from competitors for top candidates in the hopes of finding someone with similar experience or will reach out to their networks, which may include professional peers and internal staff. Even if the position is open to the public, some employers may already have a list of top candidates in mind. Because the company only officially creates positions when an ideal candidate appears to meet a need or skill shortage, other positions may be “hidden.”
Why is it necessary for you to access Canada’s hidden job market?
Taking advantage of Canada’s hidden job market can significantly increase your chances of getting the job you want. Between 65 and 80 percent of all job openings in Canada are in the undiscovered job market. Candidates who position themselves to access these hidden jobs and be considered for them will, without a doubt, have an advantage, even though this proportion may fluctuate depending on industry and economic conditions. As a newcomer, you must take advantage of Canada’s secret job market for the following important reasons:
Before being placed online, jobs are filled
It may be too late to be seriously considered for the position by the time you read a job posting online. This is because the employer frequently seeks referrals from previous employees, recruiters, rivals, and one’s network long before the job listing goes live (which could take weeks or months). The job posting may still go live by company policy or regulatory requirements after the ideal candidate has been chosen for the position, but the majority of the decision has already been made.
Employers like references from people they can trust
Because referrals come with a certain amount of trust, employers frequently prefer to hire through their networks. Employers will likely view your candidacy with more openness and certainty if someone can personally and professionally vouch for your skills, work ethic, and qualifications than if they only know an applicant through a resume. Consequently, a well-written resume that receives a referral from a hiring manager may not be subjected to the same level of scrutiny as a direct application through a job portal. You will have a positive impact on the manager even before your first meeting if your referral is a positive one.
Eliminate the ATS round
Your resume is frequently sent directly to the hiring manager when you connect with an employer through a professional referral, either in addition to or instead of applying through the company’s application portal. As a result, the company’s applicant tracking system (ATS), which rejects most resumes, is less likely to reject your application.
greater employment opportunities
You might be able to find a lot more jobs as a newcomer if you tap into the hidden job market than you would through job fairs or job portals. Naturally, you will never know how many jobs are hidden in the market, which is why it is so important to strategically expose yourself to opportunities to learn about openings. You can apply for more jobs in Canada than you can online because of this.
Decreased rivalry
When hundreds of candidates apply for a job that has been advertised, it’s easy to get frustrated. There are typically significantly fewer candidates competing with you when you apply for jobs through the hidden job market. You’ll also learn about jobs that directly relate to your skills and experience if you use the right job search strategy, so you’ll spend less time applying for jobs that aren’t right for you.
Advice on how to enter into Canada’s secret labor market and land a job
You may need to reevaluate how you look for work if you want to take advantage of the numerous job opportunities in the hidden job market. Expanding and actively engaging your network is one of the most important aspects of discovering opportunities in the hidden job market. In this section, we’ll talk about 15 ways to get into Canada’s hidden job market and find a job you love.
Make new connections with people you know
It’s possible that you don’t know many people in Canada if you just moved here or are coming soon. Nonetheless, connecting with people you already know is a great place to start. There are opportunities worldwide for many businesses, and you can’t be sure who your current contacts are aware of. Take into account former coworkers, school alums, and Canadian friends and family. You can ask them directly because you already have a relationship with them if they know of any open positions that match your skills and experience or if they can recommend other people who might. Ask if they would be willing to refer you to the hiring manager if the companies they work for are hiring or plan to hire soon.
Makeover your LinkedIn profile
Create a LinkedIn profile as soon as possible if you don’t already have one because this platform is essential for job searching and building a professional network. Make sure your LinkedIn profile portrays the image you want potential employers to see if you already have one. This includes your skills, experience, career goals, and how you want to be presented to potential employers. Some people call it your brand. Be clear about the image you want to project, and then update the relevant sections to match that image.
Post your knowledge on LinkedIn
Share relevant content on LinkedIn to demonstrate your expertise and enthusiasm for your field of work after clarifying your brand and determining the kind of position you want. Post what you learn from a review of the most recent industry news and trends. To engage others, think about asking questions. You can also produce your content and post it online. Post frequently to help build your reputation as an expert in your field. This can increase the number of people who see your profile, including hiring managers and recruiters at the companies you want to work for. You have global experience as a newcomer, which many businesses consider an asset; make sure that you use that in your posts. Always remember to interact with the content of other people to strengthen your connections and boost your visibility.
Make a plan for networking
Networking can take a lot of time, especially if you don’t have a clear plan for where to put your efforts to best serve your career and job search. Clearly define the role you want to play to limit your efforts. Create a list of employers you want to work for after taking into consideration factors like industry, company size, and work environment. Reach out to the most important people in each company via LinkedIn, such as recruiters, hiring managers for your desired position, or even new hires in your field. Meeting two to three professionals every week is ideal. You can even fit four to five networking events into your weekly schedule as a newcomer who is actively seeking employment.
Make coffee chat requests
The first step in establishing rapport with a new connection is to request a casual conversation, even if your ultimate objective is to obtain a job referral. You might be surprised by how many people are willing to share information about their position and the company during a virtual, phone, or in-person coffee chat. You should be ready to answer questions about the hiring procedures of the company or the skills required for the position you are applying for. You can let people know about your skills, strengths, and career goals during these conversations, which may help you get referred for a position. When the time comes to come to an end, request additional introductions, such as: Do you think I should connect with anyone else in your network? Are you willing to introduce me to them?
Make a brief elevator pitch
You should be ready for impromptu meetings that could happen anywhere, from the lineup at the local gym, even though there are times when you plan to meet valuable contacts, like at a career fair or industry convention. If you have a well-practiced but natural elevator pitch, you can be sure to convey yourself effectively whenever the opportunity arises. Include your introduction, qualifications or expertise, and goals in your elevator pitch. Depending on who you’re speaking to or messaging, you may need to modify your pitch’s conclusion. It might end with you asking for more information about the company, the skills you need for the job you want, the work culture in Canada, or even a job referral. Make good decisions. If you type your pitch, it should not be longer than 30 seconds or 75 to 85 words. Examples of elevator pitches include:
I’m Jasmine Cooper, and it’s a pleasure to meet you. I have a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a minor in marketing and have worked as a market research analyst for a global advertising agency in Brazil for the past five years. My team was able to design two marketing campaigns that won awards thanks to my research and data analysis skills. I’ve noticed that your business has pioneered innovative advertising campaigns, and I’d like to know more about the market research behind them.
Offer assistance
Offer your assistance if you believe you can offer helpful hints or direction regarding a project your contact is working on. Because it explicitly demonstrates your value and puts your skills to use, this is an excellent strategy for making a lasting impression. Additionally, a connection will be more likely to recall someone who assisted them than someone who sought assistance. Think about how you can demonstrate your unique value and perspective in a Canadian workplace by drawing on your international work experience here. If your contract requires assistance with a project regularly, it may even lead to future opportunities as a freelancer or full-time employee.
Words are not as powerful as portfolios
A portfolio is a great way to show off your best work if you work in a field where you can show examples of your work, like communications, design, engineering, or information technology (IT). You can also start a blog to share your knowledge of a subject; just make sure to update it often! A personal website can be used to create your portfolio, which can then be linked to your social media accounts. Alternatively, you can create a portfolio in your LinkedIn profile so that connections can quickly and easily view your samples. So that your connections can see what you can deliver, be sure to post what you upload.
To find networking opportunities, look beyond LinkedIn.
Don’t overlook any opportunities to meet new people outside of LinkedIn. For in-person networking events, think about conventions and associations related to your industry, career fairs, and business associations like chambers of commerce. You can probably find a lot of things that resonate with you by doing some research, such as meetups for young professionals, local writers’ groups, and women in business organizations. Because employment opportunities can come up from a variety of sources, the more people you meet, the more likely it is that you will learn about opportunities in the untapped job market. As a newcomer, these events can also help you get used to the laid-back Canadian work culture.
Speak with employers even if no positions are listed.
When you want to work for a company, you don’t have to wait for a job to be posted. You can express your interest in working for them by contacting them via phone or email and requesting a meeting to learn more about their company and the skills they look for in employees. Introduce yourself using your elevator pitch, which should be customized for each organization. Employers may keep you in mind for future positions if you impress them. Even if they weren’t actively looking for candidates for the position, fast-growing businesses might be willing to hire you in some cases.
Make use of volunteer opportunities and jobs for survival.
Volunteering can be very useful, especially if the work you do is related to or related to your job or industry. Use it as a chance to show off your abilities, knowledge, and work ethic, as well as to talk about your career goals with other people who might find out about new jobs before they are posted to the outside world. Even a survival job can help you expand your network and expose you to relevant positions that have not yet been made public. Always be open-minded and prepared with your elevator pitch.
Develop your network
After your coffee chat, keep in touch. A spreadsheet with information about the people you’ve met and a record of what you talked about is helpful. Engage with them on social media regularly or send them a note to find out how they are doing. Share any articles you find that you think they might be interested in. If a relevant job opens up in their network, this will help you stay at the forefront of their minds.
Ask for help.
Since you are just getting started in the job market in Canada, asking for advice might be a great way to meet professionals and potential employers. If you didn’t get an offer, you can ask for feedback on your resume, elevator pitch, or interview performance. To learn about the cultural differences you may need to adapt to, such as jargon, scope, major players, and industry associations, inquire about your industry or desired role in Canada. Your applications will be improved and the number of people who are invested in your success will grow as a result. Keep in mind that not everyone will respond, but if they do, it could lead to a valuable connection.
Utilize your second and third-degree connections on LinkedIn.
Asking the first-degree connections with whom you have developed a rapport to introduce you to their connections is an easy way to expand your LinkedIn network. By looking at their connections on LinkedIn and shortlisting a few people you think would be most beneficial to meet, you can ask for specific introductions. You can, of course, contact these connections on your own; however, a warm connection is more effective.
Never destroy a bridge.
Try to keep a positive perspective on every connection you make at all times. Never take any silences or responses personally. Keep in mind that people are busy and might not have time to answer your questions. Your interactions ought to be cordial and professional, and you ought to leave room for future contact. A strategic error is to damage relationships. You never know when you might require a referral from a person with whom you have worked or connected, or when they might suddenly respond to a request after making multiple attempts at it.
Utilizing the untapped job market can be challenging but essential for newcomers. You will have a better chance of finding a suitable job if you can use your professional network in Canada because there are so many job openings that are filled through word-of-mouth or recruiters’ networks. Not only can you get access to jobs that aren’t posted publicly, but referrals from your network can also make you look like a reputable candidate and get your resume to the top of the pile.
