The “hidden job market”
Proven frameworks to land jobs that are not yet listed by companies.
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Friends,
I was scrolling through LinkedIn & one thing became painfully clear—landing a decent job is harder than ever. I’m not talking about the Dream Job, but just a stable role that pays well enough to cover the bills and justifies the thousands of dollars spent on a Master’s or PhD.
To dig deeper into this topic, I conducted a survey asking multiple questions to those struggling in the current job market.
How long have you been looking for a job?
Have you experienced a decrease in opportunities in your industry?
What do you think is the biggest reason you're unable to land a job?
132 people responded to the survey & nearly 19.3% of the respondents pointed to the fact that many jobs aren’t published on publicly available job sites in response to the question- why they felt they were unable to find a job. This ranks as the 3rd most common reason! It’s a stark reminder that the hidden job market plays a massive role in job search struggles.
What you can take away today:
The problem with the existing job market
Why do jobs go 'hidden?'
How to tap into the hidden job market.
How I landed a job without applying?
How freelancing can open many doors.
Surprisingly, when I did some more research on this, I realized that a significant portion of job openings remain unadvertised! Estimates suggest that up to 70% of jobs are not published on publicly available job search sites.
So, I decided to go deeper into why so many jobs never get posted in the first place. And, more importantly, how you can access them?
Why do jobs go “hidden?”
To understand the company’s POV in detail, I spoke with a few recruiters about why companies hire without posting positions on their websites.
There were quite a few answers to this but most of them gave 4 major replies:
Recruiter Insights: Most companies prefer to tap into their existing network or work with recruiters who already have a pool of qualified candidates. The reason is simple. It helps them save time and money, especially when the company needs to fill a position quickly or wants to avoid the overwhelming volume of applications that come from public job postings.
Public Job Postings are Challenging: Many of them believe that hiring through referrals or private networks results in a higher quality of candidates. Employees or industry connections are more likely to refer people who they know are already a good cultural fit or possess the right skill set, making the hiring process smoother and faster.
Internal Promotions: Many positions are filled internally before being posted externally to maintain the company culture.
Benefits for Employers & Job Seekers: Now this was an interesting point. By keeping roles hidden, employers can assess the market and talent pool more selectively. And, this makes it easy for them to find the most suitable candidates without the pressure of public job postings. For job seekers, understanding how to tap into the hidden job market is key.
Now that we’ve explored the reasons behind the hidden job market, let’s dive deeper into what you can do to uncover these opportunities and position yourself to stand out. 😉
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How to tap into the “Hidden Job” Market?
I want to share my personal experience with you all. Recently, I landed a job and received two offers from companies for a position❗️The interesting part? I didn’t apply for any of these positions! The recruiters approached me directly and asked if I was interested in the role. But how??
I’ll share all the details further in the blog, so keep reading...
While it may seem like the jobs you see on job boards are the only options available, in reality, many positions are filled before they’re even advertised.
Many companies post about openings for only 1 out of the 5 jobs that need to be filled. So how do they fill the remaining job openings?
The answer is simple ⬇️
The reason you're NOT getting an opportunity is that you're in tier 1, and there are 3 tiers ahead of you. So, how can you crack the code?
Let’s understand!
1. Networking like a pro
At first glance, it may seem intuitive to network with close friends, family, and colleagues, but the real power often lies in “weak ties”—people you’re not closely connected to.
These are the individuals who might not know you intimately, but they have broader networks of their own. By connecting with people outside your immediate circle, you expand your reach and increase your chances of hearing about job opportunities that are otherwise hidden.
Now, how do you network?
So, this can be done in 2 ways: