By Leigh-Ann Athanasius
Yes, the hidden job market does exist, but not the way that you may think.
Regardless of industry, there are recruitment seasons, even if the industry that you are in is not necessarily known as a seasonal one. In the corporate space, the fourth quarter of the year (Oct-Dec) is usually the time when companies are likely to start putting out their feelers for new talent. Within the NGO space, you will find that the recruitment season follows project funding cycles, so knowing how funded projects by agencies like USAID, DFID, Norfund etc. operate is essential in the job hunt. You may also not have considered another significant factor that could affect you in your search for a new opportunity – job seekers. January may be the busiest time of the year as people are applying for jobs as they come off making New Year’s resolutions and are looking for change. There could be hundreds or thousands of applicants for only a few jobs so how do companies navigate this? Well, in this situation, the old adage holds true; ‘birds of a feather flock together’. In this case, they tend to recruit from the people they know and respect in the same spaces as them; that is the hidden job market.
So how can you access it?
Networking
How can you stand out and access the hidden job market to give yourself a chance when there is such a high saturation of talent? You may find that interviewing for a job you want could be about who you know, so make it your business to know as many people in that company/sector as you can. Every conversation outside of your friends and family is a potential interview so always put your best foot forward. It is commonly said that your network is your net worth, and that is why you need to grow your network. This is where your access comes from.
LinkedIn is the easiest way to start to grow your network. Connect with people in your industry or desired industry and start to be recognised within it. Keep your profiles updated and active. Engaging with posts, sharing content, and participating in discussions can help you get noticed by recruiters or hiring managers. Many of today’s employers have social media profiles, so follow or connect with those that interest you most.
You can also use the company pages to identify key employees within the company. Try to build connections with them by engaging with their content regularly and respectfully, providing unique insights when possible, to show your industry knowledge. Try to build a meaningful connection instead of simply spamming their account. Note that some organisations take employee referrals in high regard so if you can be recommended by someone already in the organisation, you may have a better chance of getting your foot in the door.
It may also be helpful to join professional organisations as they will often host events and webinars that are great opportunities to network with other professionals both within and outside of your industry. Many of these organisations offer individual memberships that grant you access to several resources and opportunities that you may have otherwise not have been aware of.
Diving into their talent pools
Is it worth it to join a talent pool? It doesn’t hurt to join various talent pools, but it is more beneficial to join the right ones for you. Ideally go for either the company that you want to join or find the recruitment companies that recruit for the industry that you would like to work in. Some companies exclusively work with recruitment agencies for certain roles. Establishing a good relationship with specialised recruiters can give you access to these unlisted positions. Do your research and find recruitment agencies within your industry to make sure that you are covering all your bases.
It may also be worth it to try cold calls. Sometimes reaching out directly to companies or hiring managers, even when no jobs are posted, can open doors. Expressing interest in future opportunities can put you on their radar for upcoming roles. Send people messages and connection requests without being too pushy. Of course, you need to be prepared for the possibility that they may never respond or even look at your message but there is the possibility that they do. So just try – you have nothing to lose. By sharing your CV, you may be added to their talent pool for future reference.
Become a subject matter expert
There are jokes/memes made about LinkedIn influencers and how they tend to take their personal experiences and make a business-oriented post to educate their followers. While some, of course, may be a stretch, there is a real value in becoming a subject matter expert.
Becoming a subject matter expert in your field of interest can help build your reputation and increase your credibility. This is especially true on LinkedIn where you are likely to attract a following of professionals in that industry if the insights that you share are considered valuable and thought provoking. Don’t only post on your own pages and expect all the engagement to come to you. You can build your credibility by engaging and commenting on other people’s posts to build a rapport with other experts in the field. Let it be a two-way street.
This visibility can also create networking opportunities, attract potential employers, and open doors to job opportunities in the ‘hidden’ job market, where companies often seek out known experts before posting open roles. So, while you don’t want to take it too far – not everything needs to be a lesson in business – positioning yourself as a subject matter expert allows you to be viewed as a trusted resource and can help you stand out to recruiters and hiring managers.
While the ‘hidden job market’ plays a crucial role in the overall employment landscape, it is not actually as hidden as it seems; however, there are no shortcuts to accessing it. Job seekers who focus on networking and building relationships can unlock these opportunities more effectively, but will take time. Be patient as you go through your job search and focus on meaningful relationships, and you might stand a better chance of landing your dream job.