Tap into the Hidden Job Market
Hope your job search is going well and you've been tapping into your professional network!
If you don't have a strong network I hope you are emailing hiring managers directly and asking for an interview.
“Why would I do that? I don’t want to bother anyone,” said almost everyone.
Your professional network is KEY to gaining access to the hidden job market.
Yes, there’s really a hidden job market — thousands of job openings that never get formally posted publicly.
Here's the tea: Companies will tap their employee's professional networks to fill open roles because they don't want to get overwhelmed with hundreds of applications. It saves them time and money.
This is also why I think applying online is not the most effective way to get a job.
So what can you do about it? GET INTO THOSE NETWORKS!
Be top of mind for people in your network, especially if you are job searching.
Here are 3 ways you can build your network and break into the hidden job market:
Network more, and be authentic. When I was trying to pivot into tech back in the day, I set a networking quota for myself to make sure I attended at least 2 relevant events per month. This cadence continued into the first few years of my first tech job. Over time I saw the huge impact this strategy had on my social capital, particularly when it came time to job search. I never forget the time a Lyft executive I met at an event agreed to get coffee to chat about a book. He proceeded to refer me to multiple jobs at his company and other companies later on and I was floored. I really began to understand the power of connections.
If you want to find your dream role, you have to network and engage with professionals consistently; every deposit you make into your relationships could pay off in the future.
Join online professional communities. You aren’t in this alone, and finding a job doesn’t have to be as daunting as you may think. These groups often serve as a resource for making new connections via regular meetings, discussions, and events. Get in there and join the conversations. Plus lots of jobs get posted in these communities!
Contact employers directly. This is the bread and butter of what I teach my clients and it's a very effective strategy if done well. Craft a compelling email and request an interview. It seems bold to email hiring managers cold, but you are making their life a lot easier by showing up in their inbox. The toughest part is knowing what to say in the email and finding people's email addresses. But I can teach you those things.
Bottom line: Who you know will always be important throughout your career.
Build your relationships and social capital even when you're not job searching(maybe most especially then). It has a compounding effect over time and helps you tap into opportunities that you would otherwise never know about.
Most people underestimate the power and importance of social capital and networks early in their careers.
But if you put in the work you'll be surprised how quickly you'll see results.
If you network well, there will come a time when opportunities will come to you and you won't ever need to apply for jobs again. That is for real.
Trust me I know firsthand how game-changing having a powerful network can be.
Moral of the story - YOU SLAY, now go do the damn thing, build your brand, grow your network and chase after the leaders you admire. The opportunity meant for you is closer than you think!
