Worth Reading – The Hidden Job Market: Why 70% of Roles Are Never Posted Online – and How to Access Them
Before you go read the advice shared below, it’s time for a story.
I’ve mentioned before that my last two jobs were offered by people I know. People who’ve worked with me as a peer or a customer of the company I previously worked for.
When I read statistics like the one in the headline, I wonder about how that would play out. If 70% of jobs are never posted online, that’s a significant finding. The two jobs I mentioned were posted online, but in at least one of them, it was essentially just a requirement to post, with no real competition.
What’s been happening in much of the job market for knowledge workers is that roles are changing. When someone leaves, it’s not always a simple replacement that you’re looking for. This is also an opportunity to redefine a position and recruit someone with skills the team currently lacks to accomplish something the team isn’t currently doing. Part of the impetus for that can come from knowing someone open to coming to work for you, and the skills they could bring to the table.
Which, of course, brings us back to the original point about these kinds of jobs. You need to know people. Employers need to have employees who know people, as well as know people themselves, and job seekers need to have connections. The only way this works is if you get referrals, and you only get referrals through connections.
So, if you want to increase your chances of landing a new gig, meet more people. Online, offline, on LinkedIn, through online communities, offline events, etc. Set a goal to engage more in spaces that align with your profession, because you will need those connections.
If you’re not looking for anything new, don’t stop engaging. The more people you know, the more you can learn from each other, and the more likely it is that when your team is looking for talent, you are connected to what they need.
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