Up to 70% of jobs are never publicly posted. They’re filled through referrals, internal moves, and direct outreach before a listing ever goes live. If you’re only applying to advertised roles, you’re competing for a fraction of the opportunities available.

Here’s how to access the hidden job market.

1. Informational Interviews

Reach out to people in roles you’re interested in — not to ask for a job, but to learn. Send a short, specific message: “I’m exploring a transition into product management in fintech. Would you have 15 minutes to share what your day-to-day looks like at [Company]?”

Most people are happy to help. These conversations build genuine relationships, and when a role opens up, you’ll be the first person they think of. Aim for two informational interviews per week.

2. Engage Before You Apply

Follow target companies on LinkedIn. Comment thoughtfully on their posts — not “Great insight!” but substantive responses that demonstrate your expertise. Share relevant articles with your own analysis. After a few weeks of genuine engagement, your name becomes familiar to hiring managers before you ever submit an application.

3. Direct Outreach to Hiring Managers

Identify the person who would be your direct manager (not HR). Send a concise message explaining what specific value you could bring, backed by one or two relevant achievements. Reference something specific about their team or recent work. Keep it under 100 words. The response rate is surprisingly high — around 20% for well-crafted messages.

4. Leverage Your Alumni Network

University alumni networks are one of the most underused job search tools. People have an inherent bias toward helping fellow alumni. Use LinkedIn’s alumni search to find graduates working at your target companies. The shared connection gives you a natural conversation opener that cold outreach lacks.

5. Attend Industry Events (Virtual Counts)

Conferences, meetups, webinars, and Slack communities put you in direct contact with people who have hiring authority. The key is participation, not passive attendance. Ask questions during Q&A sessions, join breakout discussions, and follow up with people you connect with within 24 hours.

Combine With Smart Applications

The hidden job market and public listings aren’t mutually exclusive. The best strategy combines both: use tools like Believele to optimise applications for advertised roles while simultaneously building relationships that surface unadvertised opportunities. When you do get referred, having a polished, ATS-ready CV ensures you clear the formal screening process too.