To learn about a job before it gets advertised, build relationships with people who hear about openings first: hiring managers, recruiters and people already working at your target employers. Ask for short informational interviews, tell your network you are looking, request referrals, set LinkedIn’s Open to Work preference, and send targeted speculative applications to organizations you want to join.
Key Takeaways
- Some vacancies are filled through referrals and existing contacts before, or instead of, a public job ad.
- Informational interviews are typically a 20-30 minute conversation to gather career information, not a request for a job.
- LinkedIn’s Open to Work feature can be shown to recruiters only, to all members (with an #OpenToWork photo frame) or to you alone.
- A speculative application (resume plus tailored cover letter) puts you on file before a role is posted.
- In the US, unpaid work for a for-profit employer is limited by the Fair Labor Standards Act, so check before offering to work for free.
If you have been thinking about your career and your hopes and aspirations for it, you might be keen to start working on your resume and applying for new positions. However, if there’s lots of competition in your sector or for the top jobs, it’s helpful to think outside the box a little. You want to try and get news of roles that are opening up before your competitors.
Below are practical ways to do this, so you can give yourself the best chance of landing the job you want.
Networking and Relationship Building
Many people don’t realize how effective networking and relationship building can be for connecting oneself with job opportunities. Some roles are never advertised publicly, or are advertised only briefly, because recruiters, hiring managers or other staff already know someone they can put forward for the position.
You therefore want to put yourself in a place where you can be the one whose name gets mentioned. Start getting to know people in your industry and at human resources firms as soon as possible – you never know where these connections may lead. Attend networking events such as business lunches and dinners, conferences, trade shows, and other industry events to get to know decision-makers at key firms.
Don’t sell yourself hard, though; simply get to know people and give them an idea of your experience, qualifications, interests, and the like, and mention that you’re open to new opportunities. That way, when a new spot opens up, these contacts know what you do and that you are available.
You can also network on social media sites such as LinkedIn, X (the platform formerly called Twitter, renamed in July 2023), Facebook and industry forums. Be active to get to know “who’s who” in your sector and interact on the sites so relevant people learn who you are. Also, remember that many leaders and companies post about job openings on their social media pages, which can be a great way to hear about jobs before your competition.
Don’t forget how important relationship building is, too. Once you’ve connected with people and built up a circle of those “in the know,” you also need to stay in touch. Contribute helpful things online or help and check in with people to stay on their radars.
Occasionally saying hello to see how people are (whether online or by text, phone, etc.) and mentioning things you’ve talked about in the past will help you build genuine relationships in which people come to understand your skills and strengths. Over the years, you might learn about many job opportunities via these networks.
Plus, ask people directly for a referral. Often, people don’t think to connect those in their networks simply because they’re busy and thinking about other things. If you let them know you’re actively seeking a new role, though, and ask them to pass on your details to anyone who could help, you may end up with some excellent recommendations.
Work Experience
Another great way to meet the right people and get your name known with potential employers is to engage in some work experience with relevant firms or individuals. You might sign up for an internship or offer a short period of work experience to learn about the business and get to know the people in it. In the United States, unpaid work for a for-profit employer is restricted under the Fair Labor Standards Act (see the section on unpaid work below), so check the rules where you live before offering to work for free.
Once you’ve had a chance to work in a place, you’re much better equipped to learn all the ins and outs of its corporate culture and what employers are and aren’t looking for when hiring new team members. This will help you if you get interviewed for a role in the future. Better yet, though, you’ll get yourself in front of the right people. By showcasing your initiative, skills, and interest, you might impress them and be invited to apply for a permanent role before it’s advertised.
Being Proactive
It’s also essential to be proactive in other ways by directly seeking out work. For example, have you recently completed pharmacy technician studies or have experience as a journalist or lawyer, etc., and are looking for a suitable role in your area? If so, it pays to research all the organizations in your location that employ people of this type and then send your resume and a cover letter off to them to introduce yourself.
Even if firms don’t currently have advertised positions, many will keep CVs on file and notice people who show initiative. Some places are thinking about hiring someone new in the next few months but will bring forward their timelines if they receive details of someone who might be a perfect fit for a role they want to fill eventually.
As you can see, there are numerous ways to put yourself out there and learn about and be considered for roles before they get advertised. Pick a short list of target employers, use the step-by-step plan below, and keep a simple record of who you contacted and when.
What Is the Hidden Job Market?
The hidden job market is the informal name for job openings that are filled without a public advertisement, or before the advertisement attracts many applicants. These roles are typically filled through employee referrals, recruiters’ existing contacts, internal moves and speculative applications already on file.
There is no reliable official count of how many jobs are never advertised, and widely repeated percentages are rarely traced to a published study, so treat any single figure with caution. The practical point is simpler: the people who hear about a vacancy first are the people already connected to the employer.
For context on the size of the overall US market, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) reported 7.1 million job openings and 5.2 million hires in August 2026 (released September 29, 2026). Those figures count openings that employers are actively recruiting for; they do not show how each role was filled.
How to Hear About Jobs Before They Are Posted: A Step-by-Step Plan
- Choose 10-20 target employers. List organizations in your area or sector that employ people with your skills, whether or not they are hiring right now.
- Map who you already know there. Check former colleagues, classmates, alumni groups and professional associations for a first or second connection at each employer.
- Request informational interviews. Ask for a 20-30 minute conversation about the person’s work and the organization, not for a job.
- Tell your network what you want. Be specific about the role, level and location, so contacts can recognize a match when they hear of one.
- Ask for referrals. When a suitable opening appears, ask a contact whether they are comfortable referring you or passing on your resume.
- Send speculative applications. Send a tailored resume and a short cover letter to the hiring manager or recruiting team at employers on your list.
- Follow up and keep records. Send thanks after every conversation, note dates and next steps, and check in every few months with something useful to share.
How Do Informational Interviews Work?
An informational interview is a low-pressure conversation with someone already working in a job, organization or location that interests you. MIT’s Career Advising and Professional Development office describes it as a way to gather career information and recommends requesting a 20-30 minute meeting.
Start with people you already know, then use alumni directories, LinkedIn and professional associations to find others. In the conversation, ask about the person’s role, how the team hires, what skills matter most and who else you should speak to. Do not ask for a job directly.
Afterwards, MIT’s career office advises sending a thank-you email or note within 24 hours. A brief, specific thank-you also makes it easier for the person to remember you if a role opens later.
How Should You Use LinkedIn’s Open to Work Feature?
LinkedIn’s Open to Work feature tells recruiters that you are looking for a new role. According to LinkedIn Help, there are three visibility settings, and the right choice depends on whether your current employer knows you are looking.
| Open to Work setting | Who can see it | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| All LinkedIn members | Everyone, including recruiters and people at your current company; an #OpenToWork photo frame is added | People who are not currently employed or whose employer already knows |
| Recruiters only | Users of LinkedIn Recruiter; LinkedIn says it takes steps to hide this from your own company’s recruiters but cannot guarantee it | People job hunting quietly while employed |
| Visible only to you | Only you; used for personalized job recommendations | People still exploring options |
For more on building a professional presence online, see this guide to using social media networking for career growth.
Which Methods Surface Unadvertised Jobs?
| Method | What you do | Main advantage | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Networking events | Attend conferences, trade shows and association meetings | Meet decision-makers in person | Time and travel costs |
| Informational interviews | Request a 20-30 minute career conversation | Inside knowledge of teams and hiring plans | Needs a polite, specific request; many go unanswered |
| Referrals | Ask a contact to recommend you | Your application reaches a person, not just a system | Depends on the strength of the relationship |
| Speculative applications | Send a resume and cover letter without an advertised vacancy | You are on file before the role is posted | Response rates vary; some employers do not accept them |
| Work experience or internships | Work short-term with a target employer | Employers see your work directly | Unpaid arrangements are legally restricted in some places |
| Recruiters | Register with agencies that specialize in your field | Agencies may know about roles before they are advertised | Recruiters work for the employer, not for you |
Is It Legal to Offer to Work for Free?
In the United States, the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division explains in Fact Sheet #71 that courts use a “primary beneficiary test” to decide whether an intern at a for-profit employer is actually an employee who must be paid under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
The test looks at seven factors, including whether the intern and employer clearly understand there is no pay, whether the training resembles an educational environment, whether it is tied to a formal education program or academic credit, whether its length is limited to the useful learning period, and whether the intern’s work complements rather than displaces paid employees. The fact sheet notes that unpaid internships for public-sector and non-profit charitable organizations, where the intern volunteers without expecting pay, are generally permissible.
Rules differ in other countries, so check the official guidance where you live before offering unpaid work, and prefer paid internships or short paid contracts where they exist.
How to Write a Speculative Application
A speculative application is a resume and cover letter sent to an employer that has not advertised a vacancy. To make it worth reading:
- Address it to a named hiring manager or team lead where possible, not a generic inbox.
- State the type of role you are seeking in the first two sentences.
- Give two or three specific results from your experience that match the employer’s work.
- Ask to be kept on file and, if appropriate, for a short conversation.
For help with the documents themselves, see how to write a resume for a job and how to make a recruiter seriously consider your resume. If a conversation turns into an interview, this guide to answering “Tell me about yourself” will help.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Asking for a job in the first message. Ask for advice or a short conversation instead.
- Sending generic messages. Mention why you chose that person or organization.
- Disappearing after one contact. Relationships need occasional, useful follow-up.
- Being vague about what you want. Contacts can only refer you if they know the role and level you are targeting.
- Ignoring who can see your job search. Choose the Open to Work setting that fits your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I find out about a job before it is advertised?
You can find out about a job before it is advertised by staying in regular contact with people at your target employers, recruiters and former colleagues, and by telling them clearly what role you want. Informational interviews, referrals and speculative applications all put you in front of employers before a vacancy is posted.
What is an informational interview?
An informational interview is a short, low-pressure conversation, usually 20-30 minutes, with someone working in a field or organization that interests you. Its purpose is to gather career information, not to ask for a job, and MIT’s career office recommends a thank-you note within 24 hours.
Is it worth sending a CV when a company is not hiring?
Sending a CV when a company is not hiring can be worthwhile if it is tailored and addressed to the right person, because many employers keep strong applications on file. Some organizations do not accept unsolicited applications, so check the careers page first.
Should I turn on LinkedIn Open to Work?
LinkedIn Open to Work is useful if you want recruiters to find you. If you are employed and job hunting quietly, the “Recruiters only” setting avoids the public #OpenToWork photo frame, although LinkedIn says it cannot guarantee your own company’s recruiters will not see it.
How many jobs are never advertised?
No official statistic measures how many jobs are never advertised, and popular percentages are rarely traced to a published study. Official surveys such as the US JOLTS report count active openings and hires, not how each vacancy was filled.
