Why Many Jobs Aren't Advertised

In today's tough job market, as many as 80 percent of job openings go unadvertised, according to some estimates. Employers are increasingly likely to avoid posting job openings on huge online job boards, relying instead on an informal network of referrals to find likely candidates. Why are employers eschewing what would seem to be a wealth of job candidates, and how can you tap into these informal networks as you seek your next position?

Employers Want to Avoid a Flood of Unqualified Applicants

With unemployment still at non-optimal levels, employers often find themselves flooded with unqualified job applicants when they post job openings on online job boards. It has become so easy for anyone to apply for any job using today's high-tech tools that far too many people apply for positions for which they are completely unsuited. Weeding through the rush of applications that comes with making job openings public takes an enormous amount of time for hiring managers. When a company chooses to fill a job without placing any ads, it's likely to save time and to hone in on excellent job candidates without the hassle that comes with advertising a job.

Employers Find Better Applicants Through Referrals

Hiring managers are increasingly likely to fill job openings through referrals from other employees at their company or other people in their field. When an employee makes a referral for an unadvertised job opening, she is likely to know whether the person referred is a good fit for the position and for the company. People within the field have an excellent understanding of what qualities and experience are needed and can therefore help hiring managers winnow down their choices quickly. Many employers spend several weeks seeking to fill openings through word of mouth before they even approach large job recruiters or place ads. Even when they do place ads, employers often choose to do so with smaller, more localized job sites that target a specific market or skill set.

How to Find Unadvertised Jobs

Finding these jobs that never make it to the "help wanted" ads requires a different approach to job seeking, one that relies heavily on networking. The more you stay in touch with former colleagues, the better a position you will find yourself in the next time you're seeking employment. Use LinkedIn as a resource to connect with people in the companies and industries you're interested in, and don't be shy about asking about specific job openings. Widen your network by seeking out informational interviews even when you're not looking for a new position.

Seeking positions that are never advertised involves a bit of detective work and a significant amount of knocking on doors and hoping they open. Use your contacts and keep networking when you are employed to put yourself in the best position to find job openings that haven't been made public when you really need them.

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