Many professionals find it difficult to land the job they want. This isn’t because they don’t meet the requirements of the job, but because many seasonal and temporary job opportunities are filled before they even reach public job boards.
How does this happen? This article will delve into the hidden job market and what you can do to land exclusive temporary and seasonal positions even before they’re shared publicly.
Tap into the Hidden Job Market
The “hidden job market” refers to job opportunities that companies fill without ever posting them publicly on job boards or career websites. These positions make up a significant portion of all available jobs, with some estimates suggesting that 70-80% of jobs are never advertised openly.1
This market exists because hiring through public postings can be expensive and time-consuming for employers. Companies often prefer to fill positions through internal referrals, networking connections, or by working directly with trusted staffing agencies. This approach saves them money on job board fees and recruitment costs while also bringing in pre-vetted candidates.
Although this makes it harder for professionals to land both permanent and seasonal work, there are still methods that can help secure positions.
By focusing on these three key strategies, you can position yourself to learn about and secure positions before they ever reach the general public.
1. Networking and Connections
Networking involves building and maintaining professional relationships with people in your industry or target field. This includes former colleagues, classmates, industry professionals, and even friends of friends who work in companies you’re interested in.
Effective networking is crucial for tapping into the hidden job market because most employers prefer to hire people who come recommended by someone they trust. When a position opens up, managers often ask their current employees if they know anyone who would be a good fit before they consider posting the job publicly.
By maintaining strong professional relationships, you become the person that others think of when opportunities arise. Networking also gives you insider information about company culture, upcoming projects, and potential job openings that haven’t been announced yet. This early knowledge allows you to position yourself as the best candidate before the competition even knows the job exists.
Tips for Networking:
a. Optimize your LinkedIn profile and actively engage with your network. Update your headline and summary to clearly show what type of opportunities you’re seeking. Comment thoughtfully on posts from people in your target companies and share relevant industry content. Send personalized connection requests to professionals in your field, mentioning a specific reason for connecting rather than using generic messages.
Read more: 10 Powerful ChatGPT Prompts for Job Seekers
b. Attend industry events, job fairs, and professional meetups in your area. These gatherings provide face-to-face opportunities to meet hiring managers and employees from companies you’re interested in. Bring business cards and prepare a brief elevator pitch about your background and job search goals. Follow up with new connections within 48 hours while the conversation is still fresh in their minds.
Read more: Why Job Fairs Are an Important Part of a Job Search
c. Join professional associations and online communities related to your industry. Participate actively in discussions on platforms like industry-specific Facebook groups, Reddit communities, or professional forums. Many temporary and seasonal opportunities are shared informally in these spaces before they become official job postings. Being an active member increases your visibility and credibility within your professional community.
2. Proactive and Strategic Job Search
Take the initiative to research and reach out to companies you want to work for, even when they haven’t posted any job openings. This proactive approach requires you to identify your target companies and research their current projects or business needs. Make it a point to contact hiring managers or decision-makers before they start their formal hiring process.
Being proactive is essential for accessing the hidden job market because it allows you to plant seeds for future opportunities. Think of it as an effective way of showing your dedication while staying top-of-mind with potential employers.
Strategic searching also involves timing your outreach around busy seasons when companies typically need temporary or seasonal employees. For example, by reaching out to companies before the holiday season, you can secure seasonal jobs before they become public knowledge.
Tips for Proactive Search:
a. Follow your target companies on social media. This helps you stay informed about new projects, expansions, or changes that might create hiring needs. You can also set up a Google Alert for the organizations you’re hoping to join. When you see news about a company opening a new location or launching a new product, reach out immediately to express interest in being part of their growth.
b. Visit companies in person during their slower periods. Introduce yourself and learn about future hiring plans if possible. This works especially well for retail, hospitality, and local businesses. Dress professionally and bring copies of your resume. Ask to speak with a manager about upcoming seasonal needs or ways to get involved with their team.
c. Create a systematic follow-up schedule to maintain contact with your target companies. Check in every 4-6 weeks with a brief update on your availability or share relevant industry news that might interest them. This consistent but respectful contact keeps you visible without being pushy. Many hiring managers appreciate candidates who show genuine long-term interest in their company.
3. Leveraging Staffing Agencies
Staffing agencies are specialized companies that help businesses find temporary, seasonal, and permanent employees. Agencies like Masis Staffing maintain close relationships with their client companies and often know about job openings weeks or even months before they’re posted publicly.
Consider a staffing company as an intermediary who can connect you directly with hiring managers. Many organizations rely exclusively on their preferred staffing agencies to fill certain types of positions, meaning these jobs never appear on public job boards.
Staffing agencies also provide you with insider knowledge about what specific companies are looking for in candidates. This usually includes preferred skills, experience levels, and personality traits. By building relationships with multiple staffing agencies in your field, you create several channels for learning about hidden opportunities.
Tips for Leveraging Staffing Companies:
a. Build strong relationships with recruiters by being responsive and professional. Return calls and emails quickly, show up on time for interviews and assignments, and provide feedback after completing temporary positions. Recruiters remember candidates who are reliable and easy to work with, making them more likely to think of you for premium opportunities.
b. Be flexible and open to different types of assignments to prove your value. Accept shorter-term or less ideal positions to demonstrate your work ethic and reliability. Successfully completing assignments builds your reputation with the agency and increases your chances of being selected for better opportunities. Each assignment also expands your network and potentially leads to permanent offers.
Read more: Why You Haven’t Heard Back
c. Communicate your availability and preferences clearly. Although you need to be adaptable, it’s still important to let your recruiter know your preferred schedule, salary expectations, and types of work you’re most interested in. Be willing to consider opportunities that might not perfectly match your criteria—sometimes these assignments lead to unexpected career paths or introduce you to companies you hadn’t considered.
Receive exclusive opportunities through Masis Staffing.
Beyond placing candidates, Masis prioritizes building connections. We take the time to get to know professionals before providing tips, suggestions, and connections that fit their career goals.
Take a step closer to the future you envision by contacting us today!
Reference
Feldmann, John. “Job Seekers – Four Reasons to Embrace the Hidden Job Market.” Forbes, 21 Mar. 2023, www.forbes.com/councils/forbeshumanresourcescouncil/2023/03/21/job-seekers-four-reasons-to-embrace-the-hidden-job-market/.
