"Talk to anyone on the job hunt, and they’ll tell you that the word “hunt” is a laughable understatement. People are fighting for their livelihoods out there, and honestly, it doesn’t seem to be getting much better. Even though there are 7.2 million job openings on the market right now, job scams and ghost jobs are running rampant. No matter the industry, job seekers are only left with slim pickings and intense competition—or so it seems.
If you’re one of many frustrated and burnt-out job seekers, and you feel like the jobs you’re looking for are impossible to find, I hate to break it to you, but you might actually be right. The perfect job for you might be in the hidden job market. (Because, yes, that exists.) Luckily, it’s not hard to learn about new opportunities in the hidden job market, so long as you know how to access it. Keep reading to learn what the hidden job market is, plus how to find a job in the hidden job market.
What is the hidden job market?
The hidden job market refers to opportunities that aren’t formally advertised. According to Hanna Goefft, an ex-recruiter and career educator, up to 70 percent of jobs never appear on platforms like LinkedIn or Indeed. Instead, employers often fill roles through internal promotions, referrals, or networking—bypassing traditional job boards altogether. With this in mind, think of the hidden job market like Starbucks’ secret menu. The jobs exist and are available; they just aren’t advertised. To know about them, you have to have an “in,” so to speak. While this poses a hurdle for job seekers, it allows employers to cut costs on recruitment and saves them time sorting through candidates.
How to find a job in the hidden job market
Even though most open jobs are considered “hidden,” they aren’t so hush-hush that they’re impossible to find. You can learn about these opportunities in a variety of ways. Here are some foolproof ways to do just that:
Network
In addition to setting your LinkedIn status to “open to work,” networking at events, industry conferences, and more is arguably the best way to find out what jobs are already available (but not posted!) or will be soon. Let people know what types of opportunities you are looking for and ask them to keep you in mind if they hear about anything that aligns with your skill set. Remember, if you don’t ask, the answer is always no.
Make sure you’re networking regularly, both online and in person, with peers, colleagues, and recruiters. Follow people in your industry on LinkedIn, comment on their posts, and introduce yourself with a message. Heck, even start talking to other people in coffee shops about what they do for work! If the people you’re talking to don’t know of any open jobs that fit your skill set, odds are they can introduce you to someone who might. The more people you know who understand your expertise, the better positioned you’ll be.
Befriend a recruiter
Recruiters are like the fairy godmothers of the job market. They have a close relationship with hiring managers, so they often know about upcoming jobs before anyone else. Plus, they commit to finding the perfect role for their candidates. Basically, if anyone is going to be able to connect you with your big move, it’s a recruiter. With that said, make sure you’re in close contact with one (or a few!) at all times if you’re looking for a job. Ask them to keep you in the loop on anything that aligns with your skill set, even if it’s not a perfect fit. And continuously update them on your qualifications. For example, if you upskill or gain a new certification, that’s important for them to know. That seemingly small update can make or break your qualifications for an opportunity they might know about in the hidden job market.
If you’re not in close contact with a recruiter yet, ask friends or colleagues if they know one or reach out to a few on LinkedIn who recruit in your ideal industry. If your DMs look anything like mine, there are probably a few recruiters messaging you who are eager to help you out.
Send cold emails
If I had to guess, you have a handful of companies that you’d love to work for. You probably refresh their career page regularly, just waiting and hoping that something pops up that you’re a fit for. Here’s my advice: Stop waiting and start asking. Send a cold email (or LinkedIn message!) to someone at the company, a hiring manager or head of a department, if possible, to introduce yourself, share your skills, and explain how you could make a difference for them. End the message by asking them to keep you in mind for future openings or to pass your email in the direction of someone who might be able to help you further.
Sending a cold email (or DM) sounds intimidating, but what’s the worst thing that could happen? You could get ignored, or, if you’re lucky, you learn about a job in the hidden job market. Think of it this way: You’re being proactive, and hiring managers love that in potential employees.
Flex your skills on social media
Whether you love how much power social media has these days or not, you can’t deny that it’s a great way for people to make a name for themselves. Building a “personal brand” online is just fun and games for some, but it offers a unique opportunity for anyone, namely job seekers, to demonstrate their skills, expertise, and passion. By increasing your online visibility, you become more discoverable to recruiters and hiring managers who are looking for candidates with your unique skill set. Not to mention, it shows your commitment to your craft and increases your credibility. This can result in opportunities coming to you instead of you searching for them.
Not sure where to start? Make a TikTok talking about industry changes and what you think of them. Share your art on your Instagram. Start posting on Facebook about your services. Talk about client transformations you’ve been a part of on LinkedIn. You never know who will have eyes on your work—one post could be the answer to landing you a new opportunity.
Offer freelance services
What better way to show your skills to potential employers than to offer them services on the side? Think: freelancing or virtual assistant services. This is a proactive approach that allows you to put your name and expertise front and center—and keep it there. When a more permanent job opportunity does come up that aligns with your skill set, you’ll already be top of mind as someone they can count on. Not to mention, playing a small part in an event or a project comes with no commitment. This is a great way to try out something new you might be interested in and gain experience for your resume. Additionally, it allows you to get to know the company and its employees before committing to a long-term working relationship. You could offer to help with event planning, bookkeeping, or even website optimization.
If you’re looking to pivot internally, keep your eyes and ears open to projects that may be happening in different departments and ask how you can be a part of them as they come up. If you’re external, send an email or network to learn more about a company’s needs and how you can be of service. Either way, the more you get your name in front of decision-makers, the more likely you are to land a job in the hidden job market.
Hailey Bouche, Associate Editor
As an Associate Editor for The Everygirl, Hailey Bouche oversees, writes, and edits content across various categories on the site. From the pitching stage through publishing, she works alongside the team to ensure that the content that our readers see every day is inspiring, relatable, and timely.