You've been applying for jobs. You're checking Indeed and LinkedIn - refreshing the same job boards, tailoring the same cover letters, and wondering why the responses are so few and far between. It can feel like you're doing everything right and still getting nowhere.
Here's something that might change how you think about your search entirely: around 70% of job roles in the UK are never publicly advertised.
That's not a myth or an exaggeration. It's the reality of how hiring actually works. Companies move quickly when roles open up. They ask around internally, lean on their networks, and often appoint someone before a job posting ever goes live. Which means that if you're only applying to advertised roles, you're competing for roughly 30% of the available opportunities.
The good news? The other 70% is accessible if you know how to approach it.
Why the Hidden Job Market Exists
It helps to understand this from an employer's perspective. Advertising a role publicly is time-consuming and expensive. It generates large volumes of applications to sift through, many of which won't be right. Hiring someone through a trusted referral or an existing relationship feels lower risk, faster, and more reliable.
So, when a position opens up - or when a business is growing and quietly thinking about bringing someone in - the first instinct is almost always to ask: do we know anyone?
This is not a closed shop designed to keep you out. It's simply how human networks operate. And once you understand that, you can start to work with it rather than against it.
Three Ways to Tap into the Hidden Job Market
1. Start with the people you already know
The hidden job market isn't some exclusive club that requires a secret handshake. More often than not, the way in is someone you already know - a former colleague, a university contact, a friend of a friend who works in your target sector.
Think about who in your existing network works in organisations or industries you're interested in. Reach out - not to ask for a job, but to have a genuine conversation. Ask how things are going in their world, what challenges their organisation is facing, what the landscape looks like from where they're sitting. These conversations build goodwill and keep you front of mind when something does come up.
People want to help. Most just need to know you're looking.
2. Build a target list and research thoroughly
Scattering your energy across every possible opportunity is exhausting and rarely effective. Instead, identify a focused list of organisations you'd genuinely love to work for - companies whose values resonate with you, sectors where you want to grow, teams doing work that excites you.
Then research them properly. Read their news, understand their challenges, and follow what they're publishing and talking about. When you do make contact, whether through your network or directly, you'll be able to speak specifically and credibly about why you're interested in them. That level of genuine interest is rare, and people notice it.
3. Use LinkedIn as a relationship tool not just a job board
Most people use LinkedIn to scroll job listings. The people who tap into the hidden job market use it differently - as a place to be visible, build credibility, and have real conversations.
This means engaging with content in your field rather than just consuming it. Commenting thoughtfully on posts, sharing your own perspective, and connecting with people at organisations on your target list. Reach out with something personal and specific rather than a copy-paste message. "I came across your post on [topic] and it really resonated - I'd love to connect" will land far better than "I'm looking for opportunities and wondered if you knew of anything."
Your profile matters too. Keep it current, make your direction clear, and let it do some of the work for you while you're busy with everything else.
A Shift in Mindset
The hidden job market asks something different of you than the usual job search. It requires patience, consistency, and a willingness to invest in relationships without an immediate return. It can feel slow at first, especially when you're eager to find something quickly.
But what I've noticed is that the people who land roles through their network tend to find better fits and feel more confident going in because they've done their research, built genuine connections, and arrived already trusted.
The job search doesn't have to be you alone, sending applications into the void and hoping something comes back. There is another way and you're already more connected than you think.
Want Some Help Finding Your Way In?
Most of my clients are surprised by how many doors open once they stop relying on job boards alone.
If you're not sure where to start, how to approach your network, or how to position yourself for the roles you really want, I'd love to have a conversation.
You can book a free virtual coffee with me here.
It would also be great to connect with you on Facebook and LinkedIn!