Recently, I heard someone say that the hidden job market IS the job market, and it’s true. There are more jobs available than are ever advertised! There are countless reasons why, but many employers start unofficially scoping out talent long before they ever get around to posting an ad. Plus, someone who can make a strong case as to how they’ll add value to an organization could be considered for a job even if there’s nothing coming down the pipeline.

Part of this has to do with positioning yourself as a solution to an organization’s problems. However, it’s also important to come up with a plan for uncovering these associations in the first place. Three key strategies for finding these opportunities are:

1)       Use The News: Read between the lines when reading the news. For example, healthcare reform could mean changes within certain types of medical associations – and changes sometimes mean hiring.

2)       Analyze Ads: Pay attention to the types of associations that seem to be doing a lot of hiring. While you can and should apply to any open jobs that interest you, you’ll improve your results by sending your resume to associations with a similar target market.As there are often shifts within industries, there’s likely to be movement across organizations.

3)       Ask Around: Yes, we’ve come back to networking again. Research associations to determine how they might benefit from your expertise, and ask your internal contacts for advice. See if your connections have heard of any changes brewing at work– new chapters, a shake-up on the board, etc. – depending on your skill set, it could mean more opportunities for you.