Ahead Of The Game - Finding roles before they go live

We all love a good detective story. But instead of correctly guessing the killer in the latest Netflix drama before everyone in the office, how about turning those detective skills towards finding job roles before they go live?

Beating the queue of applicants before they even know there was a job could be a game-changer in getting that next role. So, let’s put on our detective hats, grab the magnifying glass, and discuss how you can find a role before it ever goes public.

Strong Network

Before you can start the task of staying ahead of the game, you need a solid network. It’s never too late to start; just begin building it now. Everyone has 100 LinkedIn connections they can use per week—100! How many times have you got to Friday and run out of them? Never? You might be missing out on building a network of professionals that you can leverage further down the line. It’s easy to build a network on LinkedIn by connecting with professionals in your job role, sector, or business. Just start doing it.

You can join groups with hundreds of like-minded people and lively discussions, and get involved. Without a network, the rest of this strategy will be almost useless. So, unless you have a strong network or are working towards one, don’t expect significant results!

If and when you do have a good network, ensure you keep in touch with former colleagues & good to know people in your sector. Regularly engage with your network so you remain on their radar should something interesting come up.

Have a Strategy

Like anything, you need a plan and a strategy to get the results you are looking for. If you have identified your ideal next role, perhaps a more senior position, start by researching and identifying key decision-makers in companies you’re interested in. Look for hiring managers, department heads, and HR professionals. Send personalised messages & build the network. Mention any mutual connections or common interests to make your message stand out.

If you don’t receive a response, follow up after a week or two. Persistence shows your genuine interest, but be careful not to become annoying.

*I have written a detailed article all about having a job search strategy, link below, which is well worth a read as it goes into greater detail about the types of approaches you should be making.

Reading the News

An insider tip: I read lots of articles relating to my sector (technology) because it informs me of trends, what businesses are doing, whether they are expanding, making redundancies, receiving large investments, and so on. All this information is incredibly valuable and helps me make calculated guesses on potential opportunities before they happen. It helps me if I can find a candidate for a business before they ever go to market.

If you have a particular skill, interest, or desire to be in a sector, make sure to run relevant ‘News’ searches on that subject once a week. You’ll be surprised at the amount of information you can pick up that will inform your strategy and help you reach out to relevant stakeholders.

In-Person Events

An email is good, a phone call is better, a coffee meeting is even better, but an informal chat at an event is by far the best way to build a genuine relationship. Networking in person is one of the quickest and easiest ways to meet relevant professionals and learn about them in a natural setting. Building real connections that go beyond work is the key.

When you are friendly with more people, you increase the chances of receiving a ‘heads up’ or hearing, ‘Would you be interested in this if it came up?’ Invest time in this, and you will pick up opportunities before they ever go to market.

Stay Top of Mind

Keep in regular contact with recruiters and update them on your job search status and career goals. This keeps you top of mind when new opportunities arise. Again, build a real relationship with them and don’t treat them as a resource only when you need them. A recruiter is best used as your eyes and ears in the market. Keep in touch with monthly catch-ups to ensure you remain on their minds and stay informed about what is happening in the market.

Sign Up for Job Alerts

Finally, while this won’t help you beat the queue for a job opportunity, it might flag a role as soon as it goes live that you might have otherwise missed. Sign up for job alerts on company websites and LinkedIn. This way, you’ll receive notifications about new job postings directly to your inbox as they are posted!

Making Friends & Keeping in touch

That is the name of the game. Creating a network, building it and maintaining it. You don't need to know everyone but building the right relationships with key people will mean you increase the chances of that tap on the shoulder moment.

If you are friendly with people in positions to hire it also means you can 'off the record' ask about opportunities down the line. Flagging your interest in a casual way might mean you are front and centre when the opportunity arises.

As mentioned before, there is no guarantee here. However, with a strong, well-maintained, and developed network, a clear career strategy, a proactive approach to connecting with the market, and importantly, building real relationships, you give yourself the best chance of being ahead of the game.

If you keep putting yourself in the best position with these consistent actions, the next opportunity might come to you by surprise.

Good luck!

Richard