The Hidden Job Market: How to Find Jobs Before They Are Posted

Applying online is like playing the lottery. The odds are mathematically against you. Networking is like counting cards. It stacks the deck in your favor.

Why the "Hidden Market" Exists

Hiring is expensive and risky.

• Cost: Posting a job on LinkedIn costs money.
• Time: Screening 500 resumes takes forever.
• Risk: A stranger might be crazy.

A referral solves all three. It costs $0, takes 0 time to find, and comes with a "social guarantee" of sanity.

How to Tap Into It

1. The "Info Interview" (The Trojan Horse)

Do not ask for a job. Asking for a job puts people on the defensive ("I don't have one to give you"). Ask for Advice. People love giving advice.

• "I'm interested in how Company X does Product, given your background. Could I spend 15 mins asking some questions?"
• At the end of the call, they will usually ask: "So, what are you looking for?" Boom. You're in.

2. Follow the "Warm" Leads

Go to LinkedIn. Search for your target role. Filter by "Connections of...". Look for alumni from your school or former colleagues.

• "Hey [Name], saw you're at [Company]. I'm a fellow [University] alum. How are you liking it there?"

3. Be Specific

When networking, be easy to help.

• Bad: "I'm looking for anything." (They can't help you).
• Good: "I'm looking for Senior Product roles in HealthTech startups, series B or later." (They instantly know who to introduce you to).

Conclusion

Your network is your net worth. Start building it before you need it.