The job market can be huge for job seekers and employers alike; but, how to get access to some of the best job opportunities? The answer is simple: remove job boards from your life. Stop wasting time applying to all the jobs you see listed online and banging your head against walls while waiting for someone to respond.
The issue is that most of these amazing jobs will never see the light of day on any job board or website. That’s because it has been reported that upwards of 70% of available positions do not have a public presence, which means that for every single position you see advertised, there are at least 2-3 that are not.
In this blog post, you are going to have the opportunity to find your dream position, and you won’t be stuck in an endless circle of only applying to positions.
Let’s begin
Key Takeaways
- Understanding What is the Hidden Job Market
- Exploring Why Networking Beats Job Boards Every Time
- Decoding 5 Strategies To Access Unadvertised Positions
- How To Stand Out When Discovering Job Opportunities
The hidden job market is made up of job openings that companies fill internally without ever posting them publicly. These roles can get filled in a number of ways, including:
This method of hiring is preferred by organizations because it is quicker, less expensive, and typically results in better hires.
But it also makes the job search challenging for business professionals. Sifting through unadvertised job opportunities to identify and go after opportunities is crucial. Whether searching for jobs in Tucson AZ through platforms like Afni careers or similar job openings for business professionals in other metro areas, the process remains the same.
Access where the jobs are actually located. Not just where they appear to be.
Interesting Facts
Employment in business and financial occupations is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2024 to 2034, with about 942,500 openings projected each year, on average, in the U.S
Take into consideration the following data if you require proof of the benefits of networking through online job boards:
Referred candidates get hired at a rate of 30% compared to a dismal 7% of job applicants who land their dream roles from applying to job boards and other online sources. That’s nearly five times the success rate.
But hold on…it gets even better:
Companies with employee referral programs see a 46% increase in employee retention, according to research. Referrals result in better outcomes and longer retention rates, which employers are aware of. Because of this, 84% of businesses actively support and participate in employee referral schemes.
The lesson for job seekers is simple:
Your network is your most important resource for job opportunities. Every contact you make is a potential door to job openings that will never appear in public job postings. The traditional method of mass applying doesn’t cut it anymore.
Relationship building comes before resume writing.
Enough of the fluff. Here are proven tactics that have worked (and continue to work) for me to access the hidden job market.
LinkedIn is a resource most job seekers use the wrong way.
Scrolling is what they do. They like it. Leave a remark here and there. Once a year, update their profile description.
Not enough.
Accessing the hidden job market on LinkedIn requires business professionals to be active users. Leave thoughtful comments on posts to interact with professionals in the field. Distribute your own unique content that demonstrates your expertise and adds value. Directly message department heads and hiring managers.
The key?
It’s not about asking for jobs. It’s about building real relationships that open doors to opportunities in the future.
Here’s a little nugget most job seekers ignore:
University alumni networks are a treasure trove of job leads. People like to help other people from their school. It’s natural.
Join alumni groups. Attend virtual and physical events. Make contact with your school alumni who work in target organizations. These groups often have information about future job openings before they are made public.
Informational interviews are also underrated.
It’s very easy. Speak with experts who work for organizations or in positions that interest you. Ask them for 15 to 20 minutes of their time so you can ask them questions about their career path and get their thoughts on the industry.
The trick here is to…
Never ask for a job during these informational interviews. Seek to learn and build rapport instead. When opportunities open up later, your contact will remember you and recommend you or think of qualified candidates they’ve met before.
It’s a numbers game. It works.
Select 10-15 target companies that you want to work for. These can be your dream companies.
Get to know them. Research and understand their needs, challenges, company culture, and growth plans. Follow their news and social media handles closely. Identify key people within the companies’ relevant departments. Target them for recruitment.
Reaching out to such targeted companies with customized messages that show genuine interest and knowledge of their organization often result in conversations about unadvertised roles…or even roles that haven’t been created yet but are coming.
Professional organizations and associations provide direct access to hiring managers, decision-makers, and industry leaders.
Attend their meetings and conferences. Participate as a volunteer in their committees and events. Attend their events and speak if you can.
Positioning oneself as an active member of one’s professional community naturally positions business professionals as go-to candidates for opportunities when association members or group members have openings in their organizations.
Accessing hidden job opportunities is just half the equation. Standing out and making an impression in those roles is also equally important.
Accessing the hidden job market isn’t some kind of fairy tale. It’s where most better job opportunities actually get filled.
Businesses that only use job boards are competing for a very small portion of all available opportunities. In the meantime, people who prioritize networking and relationship-building have access to a far wider range of unlisted jobs.
To summarize the most beneficial actions:
Finding job opportunities as a business professional isn’t about playing the game of job applications. The traditional approach is a no longer valid in today’s environment.
Instead, build and maintain professional relationships. Provide value to your connections. Remain visible within your industry and professional circles.
The hidden job market favors those who show up, engage, and build trust over time.
Ans: The main purpose of advertising is to inform, persuade, and remind potential customers about a product or service, ultimately aiming to increase sales and build brand awareness.
Ans: It’s widely accepted that the number of ads we see a day is somewhere between 4,000 and 10,000.
Ans: The psychology of advertising investigates how and why ads influence human behavior and decision-making
