The Hidden Job Market: Survival Strategies As many new and prospective graduates begin to prepare for the job market, two important concepts, networking and mentoring, will help them develop a strategy. . Networking and mentoring are the keys to success! They have become at the forefront of the job search process. According to Jobhunt.org, “between 75% and 85% of all jobs are neither posted nor advertised on the web or in newspapers.” These jobs are only known in the “hidden job market”. JobHunt.org gives great examples of how to build and maintain a network. I learned several important tips that helped me build my own strategy. My Push strategy. I like to call this strategy “keeping hope alive.” The first step is to build your image. The type of image you want to build will help people remember you and establish your personality. Remember, the first impression is a lasting impression. You need to make sure your CV speaks for itself (it should appeal to others as well as yourself). How do you know if your CV is attractive? Try this fun activity.1. Create your CV. Use “keywords” and be tasteful about font sizes, formatting and layout. Keywords should jump out at the reader (maintained, implemented, processed, etc.).2. Be sure to print your resume on resume paper that is very “stylish,” but not “busy.”3. Print a fake CV. Instead of putting your name at the top of your resume, make up a name. Print this CV.4. Then go to the resume template in Microsoft Word (or on the web) and print several different resumes the same way you printed yours. Arrange them all on a table. Are you interested in your CV?...... middle of paper ......hand out business cards and keep your black book handy. Internships are also very useful. Always view the internship as an opportunity and not as a job. Even if the goal is to get the job, continue networking. The maintenance strategy. During this strategy, you bring everything together. You broaden your horizon. Once you're actually employed, never let your network slack. Keep your network up to par. Call new and old contacts frequently and continue to update your black book. Always have up-to-date CVs and plenty of business cards. Stay in touch with your groups and offer to speak at a function. These three strategies I discussed are based on my personal experiences and opinions. They can be very useful to someone building a network. The process can be very long and frustrating at times, but it can be very rewarding..