Hidden jobs exist – but finding them takes persistence, luck and a bit of skill

Communications coordinator Teemu Seppänen has found all his jobs through hidden opportunities. After a year of job searching, he recently started working in a project promoting the green transition in the IT sector – in a role that was never publicly advertised.

— I don’t really like the term "hidden job". It sounds like someone is deliberately hiding them, which isn’t the case. These are simply roles that haven’t yet been posted or even recognized by the employer, he explains.

Teemu found his current job by sending an email explaining his skills and asking if he could submit an open application. Soon after, the project manager replied: they were indeed looking for someone – and quickly. After a short task and a conversation, a job offer followed.

Teemu has extensive experience with hidden jobs. Since graduating with a master’s degree in communications, he has worked in several positions – all of which were hidden jobs. How did Teemu find his current role?

— Good question! I sent an email where I explained that I was looking for work and listed some of the things I could do. At the end, I asked if I could submit an open application, he says.

Soon, the project manager of the initiative replied to Teemu, saying that they actually were in need of someone – preferably as soon as possible. Teemu sent his CV and application, they had further discussions, and he completed a small task to demonstrate his skills. Before long, they were already drafting the employment contract.

As many as one in three jobs may be hidden

Estimates on the number of hidden jobs vary. According to Heidi Nygård, Business Services Manager at Jyväskylä Employment Services, hidden jobs can at times make up more than half of all available positions, although the exact number is difficult to determine:

— There are many reasons why a job is not publicly advertised. For jobseekers, this highlights the importance of personal networks and using them actively in the job search. It’s worth looking at your networks broadly and talking openly about your job search in different contexts, Nygård explains.

Even though there may be a large number of hidden jobs, finding them requires persistence, luck and a bit of skill. Disappointments and frustrating experiences are also part of the process.

— First of all, you have to be prepared for the possibility that you won’t get a reply, or that the response will be unsatisfactory, Teemu begins.

While unemployed, he says he applied for about ten jobs per month. About half of his contacts never responded.

— Of the rest, 90 percent said they don’t accept open applications or advised me to follow their website for open positions. The remaining 10 percent said I could send an open application, Teemu explains the mathematics of job hunting.

Many of the positions Teemu has eventually landed through open applications have been closely aligned with his core expertise. “I’ve thought about whether it’s worth being selective even with open applications. A broad interest isn’t always enough if your skills don’t match.”

He reflects that in the current job market, being a so-called “good person” may not be enough.

— There are a lot of good people who are unemployed. Right now, the competition is tough, Teemu says.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to an interesting organisation

When you come across an organisation that interests you, how do you know who to contact?

— The easiest way is to get in touch directly with the unit manager or the person responsible for recruitment, advises Heidi Nygård, Business Services Manager at Jyväskylä Employment Services. The right person could be, for example, the company’s CEO or HR manager

According to Teemu, there’s no need to be shy about sending a message:

— If you’re applying for a communications role, you can absolutely message the communications manager. You don’t need to worry about contacting the wrong person. You can simply write: "If you’re not the right person, could you please forward this message?"

The first contact doesn’t need to be long or formal. Teemu says he approached employers in a relaxed tone.

— In my messages, I wrote that I was looking for part-time or full-time work and listed the kinds of things I can do. I also mentioned that I could start later if that would be more convenient.

Luck or repetition?

When job searching feels stuck, it can be hard to maintain your energy. How do you keep hope alive?

— I’ve also had moments of perfect timing by chance. And it really is often just that – chance. But the more frequently and diversely you send out messages, the better your chances of being active at the right time, Teemu says.´

He reminds us that rejection in job hunting doesn’t mean the applicant isn’t good. “With hidden jobs, it’s often about timing, not the applicant’s skills. There are things you simply can’t control.”

Teemu encourages others to keep applying, even if results don’t come immediately. “When you send applications regularly, your chances of being in the right place at the right time improve. And sometimes, that’s all it takes.”

Wondering how to apply for hidden jobs? Start by creating your own jobseeker profile on Job Market Finland, which allows employers to contact you directly. You can also check out Duunitori’s five tips for finding hidden job opportunities (article is currently available in Finnish only).