Brian Alden: Most people are aware of the usual ways to go about looking for a job, classified ads, and online job searches. But there is a whole group of jobs out there in what's called the hidden job market. These jobs aren't publicly announced, but are waiting for the right candidate to fill them. Here are a few tips to find the hidden jobs. Ask around, talk to your friends and family and see what's happening where they work.

Don't be afraid to call old co-workers or tap into your social network connections to see if they have heard of anything. Remember, you should always be networking to build your connections. Another way to tune into the hidden job market is to be proactive and get your resume in the hands of a recruiter or a headhunter. If you don't already work with one, you can use a resume distribution service like ResumeZapper.

com.

Recruiters don't tip that they advertise the jobs they are recruiting for. So getting your resume in the hands of those looking for candidates with your background and skills is ideal. Finally, take advantage of all that social media has to offer. Build your networks with people in your field so you could be the first to hear about job offers.

Importance of networking can be overstating, but remember, networking may help you score an interview, but it doesn't guarantee you a new job. It's up to you to set yourself once in the interview.