🧱 Foundation: Career Search

Weave the multiple strategies in this Resource into your career management strategy: build your network, pursue work-integrated learning, engage in strategic volunteering, customize your applications, conduct labour market research. While it may feel easier to focus on your search online, evidence has shown this will extend your job search. Instead, make connection with people to open more doors and career opportunities!

Three Key Career Search Steps:

1. Define your goal.
Focus on what what kind of work you want. A lack of direction can prolong your search and increase frustration. If you're unsure, revisit the Determining Direction unit.

2. Target 10–15 companies.
Research each one thoroughly:

• Learn about their mission, values, and competitors
• Follow their social media and news
• Look them up on Glassdoor (read reviews critically)
  
• Use LinkedIn to find and learn from current employees

This knowledge will help in networking, writing tailored cover letters, and answering common interview questions like “Why do you want to work here?”

3. Commit to a plan.
Decide how many people to contact weekly. The Discovering Connections unit and 26-Week Challenge can help you stay on track.

Tip: When networking, never ask for a job, focus on building relationships. Check out Steve Jobs’ 2011 interview with the Santa Clara Valley Historical Association—his advice on asking and taking action still applies.

Hidden Job Market

The hidden job market includes jobs that are never publicly posted, often filled through referrals, word-of-mouth, or internal promotions.

Why are so many jobs not posted?  Posting a job publicly is time-consuming and costly. It involves writing listings, reviewing applications, screening applicants, coordinating interviews, checking references, and negotiating offers. Many employers prefer to avoid this by hiring internally or through trusted networks.

Because people tend to hire those they know and trust, networking is key. You may be surprised how many roles are filled this way.

The hidden job market is real and active. If it’s not on your radar, it should be. Building your network is essential for accessing these opportunities. That’s why the Discovering Connections unit focuses on growing your community, a crucial step toward tapping into this market.