Tapping the Hidden Job Market: A Business Research Directory to Help You Identify the Dominant and Growth-Oriented Companies in Your Field

by paulfalconehr.com on October 2, 2013

[quote style=”1″]Utilize this smart, strategic and proactive way to approach a job search, and you’ll really stand out among your peers because very few job candidates have the wisdom to present themselves in such a favorable light.[/quote]

Identifying the dominant and growth-oriented companies in America (AKA the “Hidden Job Market”) isn’t as hard as you think with these tools listed below in hand. Simply locate companies in your geographic area or industry of choice from these various indexes, and you’ll not only gain critical insights into the overall job market, but you’ll also be armed with a very flattering way of introducing yourself to a prospective employer.

Try something like this: “Ms. Employer, I took the liberty of researching your organization before reaching out to you by email and was very impressed to find that you were ranked by Forbes as one of the world’s “Top 25 Most Innovative Companies.” What an outstanding achievement, and I’m happy to include a link to the Forbes list below. I know that strong companies always look for high performers, and I would be honored if you would consider my resume (attached) for any potential [TITLE/ROLE] openings at XYZ Corporation where I might be able to make an immediate contribution. Thank you so much for your consideration and continued success. — Paul Falcone”

Grow your core list of companies slowly—maybe one or two companies from a particular website or magazine issue, and before you know it, you may have 25 – 100 companies that you’ve researched and where you’ve introduced yourself. A lot will depend on your willingness to relocate, of course, but you may just find some successful new start-ups flourishing right in your own backyard!

Oh, and these suggested sites are just the beginning . . . You’ll find many more listings that focus on the best companies in a particular sector or industry, that stand out for their customer service, and many other categories. So have some fun with this, and understand that this is exactly how headhunters pursue new companies and develop client relationships. This is a smart, strategic way to approach a job search, and you’ll really stand out among your peers because very few job candidates have the wisdom to present themselves in such a favorable light. Best wishes for your successful job search! – Paul

Traditional Resources

America’s Fastest-Growing Companies

Global and Internationally Based Organizations

America’s Most Respected Companies

Best Companies to Work For

Specialty Designations