How can I secure an internal vacancy?

Statistics may vary but it is likely that up to 80% of the vacancies are never advertised on the open market.

These are the ’hidden jobs’ which are filled through internal advertising, speculative applications, word of mouth or through contacts. Many of these jobs will be suited to your skills, qualifications and aptitude.

Gaining a foothold
If you are on the outside of any organisation, it becomes harder to know when these jobs become available.

One tactic is to ‘get on the inside’. For example, if you have one particular organisation or company where you would like to work then it is a legitimate route to simply take any job to get on the books.

You may do this by taking a part-time job, or applying for a seasonal vacancy in any part of the organisation simply to begin working there. Use your time to profile your skills, establish contacts and build a good reputation. Many large companies recognise that ambitious people will find a way of working for them and this route is well-recognised.

Recommendations
Having someone recommend you for an internal vacancy is a perfect way into the company you wish to work for.

Being in this fortunate position, however, shouldn’t be down to luck, but your abilities to network and make contacts. Cultivate a network of contacts at college, through relatives, tutors. Stay in contact and cultivate anyone who is in the work environment. It’s a small world. You’d be surprised how somebody knows of something or someone who may be able to help or recommend you – if not right now, then later on.

Productive networking can help you to access information and identify future opportunities.

Advertise yourself
Write articles for professional journals, trade magazines and relevant media. Use professional blogs and network sites and ensure your web presence is up-to-date and appropriate. Use an e-portfolio to showcase your research and experience and maximise your impact in search engines

Speculation and persistence
Moving jobs within the same company is a common scenario and many top level directors started life in the proverbial post room.

Speculative applications are most effective if you research the organisation thoroughly before sending off your application. This not only shows a real interest in the company you are applying for but it also underpins your commitment, resourcefulness and planning abilities.

Remember to be clearly focused and persistent. It may well be the person you write to is busy or unavailable or simply that your letter has been passed within the organisation in question.

Clarity and purpose
Your CV and covering letter must be targeted to the organisation, and show clearly the benefits you could bring. Through some background research you should identify possible vacancies that you could fill with your skills and attributes. Ideally, you should find the name and position of someone that is relevant to your speculative approach.

Do not be afraid to point out what you could bring to such opportunities – and back this with any evidence that supports your claim. All research is invaluable. Find out where new projects have been awarded and which departments are short-staffed. Most company websites show their press releases even if you have not directly read them in the news media.

Be proactive and accommodating and always thank your source for any reply – good or bad.

Wider approaches to finding internal vacancies
Join a professional association and look for work-shadowing opportunities.

Find out if your target organisations have open days or visits and use employer presentations and careers fairs to investigate possible job roles. Once you realise just how many of these ‘hidden jobs’ there are, it is amazing how with some good planning and persistence you can access them.

Going out to find a job, rather than simply waiting for one to come along, fills you with a sense of purpose and puts you in control. As you begin to find work and opportunities this way, don’t neglect to apply for traditionally advertised jobs too – you may even find yourself in the happy and well-deserved position of having offers coming in from all directions.