Did you know that around 70% of job openings aren’t publicly advertised? Research also suggests an even larger percentage of jobs are often filled through personal and professional contacts. We all knew the job market has been tough, but this really emphasizes the importance of doing more than just the click-and-apply approach.
Before I started my internship, one of my interviews was for a job that wasn’t even posted! Because of that, I feel ready to share some things you should know when tapping into unadvertised opportunities:
Not all jobs are advertised so networking is important
I know you know this, but felt like I wanted to elaborate. Some companies rely heavily on referrals from people they know and their own employees, and some rely heavily on hiring internally. This is where networking becomes really important.
This can mean starting to let family and friends know that you’re interested in getting a job and the kinds that you’re interested in. This might mean leveraging LinkedIn to network with strangers who have jobs you might be interested in. Either way, in order for people to know you’re looking for a job and interested in learning more, you have to put it out there. Once you make some genuine connections, it’ll be a lot easier to rely on those (and hopefully you can get a referral from it, or they can send your resume to the right person)!
Professional associations have a lot of industry resources
Professional associations, boards, and unions offer valuable resources for job seekers. By becoming a member of industry-related organizations, you gain access to networking opportunities, professional development resources, and even exclusive job boards. Leveraging these associations can lead to insights into hidden job openings and referrals within your field.
For example (and personal context), last year I joined the IABC (International Association of Business Communicators) and from that I had access to job listings and a mentorship program where I met a mentor from the industry!
It’s easier if you make a list of companies you’d be interested in
Creating a list of companies that align with your career aspirations is an important step in uncovering hidden job opportunities. I don’t know about you, but there’s been many times I’ve seen a job on a company’s careers page, but never saw it on Indeed, Google Jobs or LinkedIn.
Directly contacting the companies you might be interested in to inquire about unadvertised job opportunities can lead to discovering roles that may not be listed on external job boards.
Volunteering can open the door to employment
A lot of people are in fields where volunteering or doing a placement is a great way to showcase your talents to a potential employer, while also building a strong network for references. Either way, its a good thing to add some more experience to your resume, but it can often lead to employment too, so take advantage of these opportunities. After all, why would they interview people if they know they have you, and you’re great?
Final Thoughts
Incorporating some of these strategies into your job search can help you navigate the hidden job market effectively and increase your chances of finding the ideal career opportunity. By leveraging networking, engaging with professional associations, targeting specific companies, and volunteering, you can unlock hidden job opportunities and pave the way for a successful career transition.
On the other hand, there’s lots of “unexpected” job boards like OCC. But you’re reading this, so you already know that :)