Job Applications Alone Won’t Save You — The Hidden Job Market

Career

Feb 20

If your job search strategy is just applying to endless job postings and waiting for a response, I have to be real with you—you’re missing out. Some of the best jobs never even make it to LinkedIn or Indeed.

The hidden job market is where the real gems are. And the people who know how to tap into it eat its fruits—they’re the ones landing roles before they even go public.

Welcome to the fourth installment of Weekly Job Hunting Tips! Today, we’re diving into the hiring tiers and how to unlock hidden job opportunities.

And if you’re a visual learner, I break all of this down in this 📹TikTok video.

🚪 Behind Closed Doors: How Hiring Really Works

Public Job Postings

First and foremost, job postings—the most common (and crowded) way people search for jobs. You see a role on LinkedIn or Indeed… and so do thousands of others. It’s a numbers game, but if you apply early and tailor your resume to match the job description, you at least have a fighting chance.

Employee Referrals

Next up, referrals—the ultimate fast track to getting noticed. Every company I’ve worked at asks employees for referrals before even posting the job. If you know someone at the company, your resume can skip the line and land directly in front of the hiring manager—no algorithm, no black hole, just a straight shot.

Recruiter Outreach & Direct Networking

Recruiters are always scouting for talent before roles go public—it’s literally their job. The longer a role stays open at most companies, the more money they lose, so they’re actively searching for strong candidates before it even hits job boards.
One time, I was on a phone screen, and the recruiter literally said: “Wait, this role might be too junior for you—another position is opening next week, and I’ll reach out when it does.” Okay, say less! 😌 If your LinkedIn is optimized, recruiters will come to you.

Internal Hiring & Promotions

Okay, this one is for folks already on the inside. Some roles get filled before they’re even posted because companies prefer promoting from within—it’s cheaper and less risky for them. If you’re already at a company and eyeing your next move, start networking internally now. Connect with leaders, let your manager know your goals, and make it clear you’re ready for growth.

The Hidden Job Market

And drumroll please 🥁… the real gems, please come to the front! These are jobs that never make it to LinkedIn or job boards. They’re filled through: networking, word-of-mouth referrals, private communities. This is where you need to be looking. So, where do you find these hidden opportunities?

🔍 Hidden in Plain Sight: Where to Find Unlisted Jobs

💡 Facebook Groups & Slack Channels

I dislike Facebook as much as the next millennial, but I’ll give them credit—Groups are a goldmine for job leads. People casually drop job openings before they go public.

Some groups to check out:

• UX Research Collective

• Black Product Managers

Same goes for Slack channels—many are invite-only, and I usually hear about them at conferences or networking events.

💡 Twitter/X & LinkedIn

I haven’t been on Twitter in a decade, but one thing is for sure—hiring managers tweet “We’re hiring” before roles even hit LinkedIn Jobs section.

• Follow industry leaders

• Engage with their content

💡 Company-Sponsored Recruiting Events

I’ve attended recruiting happy hours, and let me tell you—they’re a goldmine for networking. These are invite-only events where companies build their talent pipeline before officially hiring. I went to a Pinterest recruiting event last year, had a blast, and now have direct connections there. If you want in, here’s the easiest way:

• Sign up for a company’s Talent Community on their careers page

Want more job search strategies? Join the ✨Fifty50 Initiative✨ community for career advice, tools, and support. We’re out here creating blueprints for success—one week, one tip at a time.

〰 T.