I’ve heard about the hidden job market, what exactly is it and how do you access it? Everything you need to know about expanding your job hunting!
Anyone who says there’s no perfect job, it takes too long to look at the job board! There is a whole world of hidden jobs known as the hidden job market… If you know where to look, you will be amazed at what you can find.
As most of us have experienced, remote jobs listed on the public recruitment committee are very competitive. After all, anyone can actually apply! It’s easy to find you searching and sending emails over and over again. And when you are finally interviewed, you don’t get a position.
This job method really takes forever and can never go anywhere. It’s where the elusive hidden job market comes in handy!
The biggest problem with the hidden job market is that the names are correct. It’s hidden. So, where exactly are these hidden jobs and how can we find them? That’s the issue to tackle today!
Fortunately, there are many remote jobs available for businesses of all sizes. Follow these tips and recruiters will knock on the virtual door to provide you with the next job.
What is the hidden job market?
Hidden job markets are the term that many people use to describe jobs that have not been published publicly, and are people who you cannot apply actively. A surprising percentage of jobs are estimated to be part of a hidden market. Estimates range from 40-80%, but wherever you are where you land, there are many untapped potential jobs out there!
These jobs are typically accessed via word of mouth, employee referrals, or personal networks via recruiters. Most employers believe that procuring this way will help you win the best candidates. You can start from the middle by skipping the initial application of the recruitment process by immediately conducting an interview.
Networking: The Best Way to Access the Hidden Job Market
The most important factor in accessing these hidden jobs comes from networking. I know – like many people, “networking” may be a word you don’t want to hear. However, we recommend trying to try to define networking.
In fact, you’re already networking all the time. When you chat with Barista and fellow commuters, interact with Instagram, or talk to customers and suppliers, you build or strengthen your social networks.
The simplest networking consists of building relationships with everyone around you. You need to continue adding new contacts, not just when you are looking for a new role. The more personal connections you have, the better.
Of course, you want to network with people who “know” but you never know who has the connection you’re looking for!
You can try to find people who are in a position to work for the company you want or are interested in. When reaching out, seek advice and tell them what you’re looking for. Also, networking is a two-way street, so ask how you can help.
Don’t know where to start? A professional networking group is the perfect place to get started. There are many groups in all types of fields, many of which are position-based.
This post also provides some great networking tips for more insight into job hunt missions.
Perform or request an information interview
As part of networking, information interviews can be conducted to find information from people who are already established experts about the particular industry or role they are interested in. During the interview you ask about their role, the company, and the industry itself.
Information interview settings:
Try contacting people you already know through the network, such as former colleagues or university alumni. You can also ask friends and family to refer them to people they know. It would be even better if you could set up a meeting with current employees of the company you are interested in!
You can create posts across social media platforms to let people know what type of expert you are trying to connect with. You can also send a cold call or email if there is a specific person or company you want to talk to.
Reaching out via LinkedIn or through your university’s Alumni Association is another great place to find contacts. When sending an email, say why you are reaching out and include a direct request to meet and talk.
Before the interview, prepare a list of questions about any aspect of your area of ​​interest. Ask them about the industry, their role, their culture, and work-life balance. At the end of the interview, send a thank you note asking for recommendations on who else you will be talking to.
Find internships and mentorships
If you are struggling to source jobs from the hidden job market, you may need to start smaller.
Internships are generally suitable for entering new fields and job markets. Through your internship, you will be working on your hands in a new role, with hands-on training from your employer.
Depending on your position, the internship will typically last for 3-6 months, and can be full-time or part-time. Some internships are paid, while others are unpaid.
Mentorship is similar, but they will directly connect you with experts who can teach you and connect you with others in your field.
You can use the network to introduce these positions and look at job boards. Both of these positions can lead to more experience and connections, and ultimately enter the hidden job market.
A mentor who targets you’re interested in working in the long term, knows your career aspirations and can let you know your future vacancy. It also helps you gain access to unadvertised jobs that are open only to internal candidates.
volunteer
Many people underestimate the power of volunteering. Volunteering to a charity, community organization, or group of professionals will bring you to a whole new network of people. You can also gain experience and new skills in new fields that can be used in your portfolio or resume.
Additionally, many employers value work-related volunteering as previous experience in the position.
Please attend the employment fair
Wear the best business wear, grab some business cards and head to the job fair. Many local chambers of commerce, business groups and other organizations hold employment fairs. You can find them from your local job listing or simply by searching for job fairs and your city names.
There are also many online job fairs these days. FlexJobs and my employment options are regularly hosted.
At the employment fair, you can talk directly with your employer and learn about potential employment opportunities in your area. It also makes yourself more memorable for future recruitment, interviews and communications through in-person meetings.
You can get leg up on your competitors when you meet your resume.
In addition to creating direct connections, you can also learn the skills and requirements people are looking for, which they can build for future opportunities. You can also collect additional information about the companies you wish to work for.
Promote your expertise
Why not let a recruiter come to you? If you are already an expert in your field, promote your knowledge online. These days, anyone can be discovered as an influencer.
You can create content about your specialization through LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter (X), Instagram, feature articles, blog launches, and more, and use it to promote achievements and unique skill sets.
You’ll see it right away, people start looking for you, whether it’s HR, employment manager, or hiring company. Make sure you have a roll-specific cover letter ready!
12 handy tools to tap on hidden job markets
Are you ready to take a proactive approach to achieving your career goals? Below are 12 employment search strategies that will help you find unadvertised employment opportunities.
1. LinkedIn
If you don’t already have a LinkedIn profile, do not run it. This is an ideal resource for visibility and allows you to easily connect professionally with former colleagues and potential employers.
Think of your LinkedIn posts as a mini self-promotion. Use this platform to showcase your results. Understand industry trends, including searchable keywords, and catch the eye of decision makers!
You can also let recruiters know that they are at work. Also, headhunters may send messages directly there.
2. Hunter
Finding the right contact information can be difficult when reaching out to a new person via cold email. With Hunter you can enter your company website and find a professional email address.
Of course, do some research and make sure your contact is the right person to contact. For example, if you’re probably looking to be hired there, you don’t want to go straight to Google’s CEO!
3. Glassdoor
Job seekers need to make sure the company they are looking for is a good place to work. Glassdoor has reviews from current and past employees and listed salaries, allowing you to step into the doors of the right company.
4. EventBrite
EventBrite is used by many organizations, large and small, to host specialized networking events, meetings, exhibitions and job information sessions. Use it to see if industry events are appearing in your area.
5. BusinessNetwork International
Business Network International (BNI) is the world’s largest business networking organization. Most major cities and towns available in over 70 countries have their own local branches for networking. Online networking is also an option.
6. Volunteer Match
If you’re looking for volunteer opportunities, volunteer matches are the perfect place to start. You can find local opportunities and options in other cities where you may be interested in working with.
7. Meet up
Designed for all kinds of connections, MeetUp helps you expand your personal network by connecting with people who share your interests and passions. From hiking to side hustles, you can network with all kinds of people online or in your area. This may be key to taking advantage of the hidden job market.
8. 10,000 coffee
With 10,000 coffees explicitly designed for career networking, you can connect with colleagues, interns, new hires, mentoring, and groups. An all-in-one way to start networking with industry contacts without the need to send cold emails.
9. MailSuite
MailSuite is a tracking tool that connects to your Gmail account. It helps you monitor when emails are opened and create a follow-up schedule. This is the perfect tool for cold email, especially if you are targeting several target companies or positions.
10. calendar
Whether you are planning to network information interviews or schedule, interview schedulers like Calendly streamline the process. Just share availability on the platform. Anyone who wants to schedule an interview can do so through their profile.
The platform will automatically send you a confirmation email. You can also easily connect your calendar to Google Calendar to make all your appointments organized and accessible.
11. Oller
When you are looking for jobs in a hidden job market, it is essential to stay up to date with industry trends, corporate expansion, new leadership and other potentially new roles.
Owler is an online tool that provides exclusive industry insights to help you target job hunting.
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If you are working in a creative field, Behance can be a great tool to show off your work. Behance, an online portfolio platform, presents photography, graphic design, illustrations and more.
You will need a portion of the revenue you earn from the list of freelances posted on the site, but you can use it freely. However, these freelance gigs can be used to network and secure future projects.
This tool is perfect for infiltrating hidden employment markets as recruitment managers come to you based on your creative expertise.
Conclusion: Tap to the hidden job market
The secret behind getting a great role in a new company is to go beyond job openings. And understanding the hidden job market is your first step. The hidden job market isn’t too hidden anymore when you really start listening and putting yourself there!
Don’t forget to open yourself up and see all the conversations. With these tips, many jobs should go down your path.
Good luck in your job hunting!
The original issue was published on February 18, 2022. The content was updated in February 2025.