Website tracks little-advertised job leads

The national unemployment rate seems to be holding steady at about 9 percent. Jobs are snatched up as soon as they become available because job-seekers are lined up for a chance at positions of any skill level. In this climate, job hunters need all the resources they can find. A new website and app listing so-called “hidden jobs” might just help make the hunt a little easier.

80 percent of job openings unadvertised

HiddenJobsApp.com is a website and mobile app that launched in the spring of 2011. The site tracks companies across the nation for expansions and other types of job openings that are not widely advertised. According to the site, “statistics show that 80 percent of job openings are never advertised.” The site uses company communications and keeps an eye on social media, local newspapers and other sources. By shuffling more sources than an individual could, it offers job seekers an edge.

Chris Russell, founder of the site, said:

“We make the job search more efficient, since we do all the legwork and the site is updated daily with new leads.”

Leads not openings

The site also warns, however, that it is not a job board. It recommends job seekers treat its links as leads and not necessarily as job openings. Daily Finance asked “60 Seconds & You’re Hired!” author Robin Ryan to check out the site. Ryan found that many of the links on the site were even less than that.

Ryan said:

“I followed the links, especially since Florida has a very tight job market. The Florida link goes to a news article stating Planet Hollywood is expanding, but it looks like the jobs will be added over three years. That helps no one now.”

Ryan instead suggested job seekers would be better served doing their own targeted networking, beginning with a list of 25 companies they would like to work for.

Part of a proactive approach

However, information and links on the site are updated daily, and job seekers can’t afford to not consider every possibility in this tough climate. We can’t argue with Russell’s comment, “It’s important to take a proactive approach to finding work.”

Sources

HiddenJobsApp
WTOP
Daily Finance