Most job listings are never posted publicly – Find hidden job openings

Topics

• Competence development
• Job seeking
• Member benefit

Nowadays, more and more jobs are found without an actual job advertisement. What are these so-called “hidden jobs,” and how can you find employment through them?

“Hidden jobs aren’t secret jobs that only a few people get to see. They are often found through proactivity, networking, good communication, and also by chance,” says career expert Esa Hukkanen.

A hidden job opening refers to a position that has not been advertised publicly. This may involve recruitment that is already underway without a job posting, or a need that has not yet been articulated or even identified within the organization. Sometimes a hidden job may also arise only when the right expert comes along.

Hidden job openings are unfamiliar to many, even though they are highly significant. According to YTK’s Member Pulse survey*, only eight percent of respondents reported being very familiar with hidden job openings and actively utilizing them in their job search. Nearly one-fifth did not know what a hidden job opening meant.

“It’s worth remembering that any short-term jobs or projects can serve as a pathway to internal job openings, which are also hidden from many others,” says Esa Hukkanen.

How can you find a hidden job opening?

There are many ways to find hidden job openings. Sometimes an acquaintance hears about a suitable position and passes the tip along. Other times, a job well done leads to the employee being invited to join new projects or a recruiter contacting them directly about an interesting job opportunity.

Just doing a good job isn’t always enough if no one knows what you’re capable of or what you’ve accomplished.

“Do your work well and, above all, make it visible. If you’re not currently employed, you can talk about past projects, successes, and achievements.”

And yes, good luck often plays a part too. According to Hukkanen, however, you shouldn’t just wait for luck to come to you – you need to dare to make yourself visible.

“Your own initiative also makes a big difference. You should boldly ask about opportunities, and sometimes you can even propose a solution to a problem that the organization hasn’t yet identified.”

Many of us downplay our skills or assume that others will understand them anyway. In practice, however, people need concrete examples.

“Explain how you’ve approached a task that can be done in many ways, and what positive results your choices and actions have led to.”

Also, be a good person and a fair coworker so that your acquaintances will find it easier to recommend and help you. Show appreciation for others without seeking direct benefit, for example.

Do this:

1. Identify your skills and interests

Start by thinking about what you want to do. What kind of industry interests you, and what kind of job suits your personality?

Consider, for example:

• Where could I do work that interests me?
• What kind of work environment would I thrive in?
• Would a large or small organization suit me better, a fast-paced or calmer environment, independent or social work?

At the same time, think about where your skills could genuinely help an employer:

• What kinds of needs might organizations have right now?
• What value could I bring?

You can use AI to search for organizations that interest you.

“Try asking AI, for example, for a list of organizations where your skills and values might align, or for an analysis of news stories highlighting new opportunities and growing industries,” says Esa Hukkanen.

The most important thing is to keep yourself moving and actively seek out opportunities.

“The chemist Louis Pasteur once said that chance favors the prepared mind. We can help ourselves recognize the good opportunities that come our way by preparing our minds with strong self-awareness and comprehensive industry knowledge. In addition to waiting for serendipity, we can create it ourselves by exposing ourselves to situations where something good might happen.”

Attend events, meet new people, and join in conversations. Talk openly about your situation, but at the same time listen to others with genuine interest.

Also, be kind to yourself, especially if you’re an introvert.

“Networking doesn’t mean constantly putting on a show or endless small talk. You can gradually learn to step outside your comfort zone, as long as you remember to set aside time to recharge.”

2. Find key contacts

Once you have a clear idea of what you’re looking for and which organizations might interest you, it’s time to find key contacts. LinkedIn can be a great help.

“For example, use the ‘People’ tab found on the profiles of organizations you’re interested in to find the right contacts. Also, use the so-called green circle – the ‘Open to Work’ indicator – on your profile. This makes your situation visible to recruiters and networks.”

3. Get in touch

Once you’ve found the right person, the next step is to reach out. Esa Hukkanen advises against sending open applications, which can easily get lost in the shuffle.

“Don’t send an open application to HR. Writing a traditional open application can easily take a lot of time, and the application may never even reach the right person. Instead, you should send a short, approachable message to the person in charge or the team lead.”

You can send the message via LinkedIn, for example. Write something like this:

“Hi xxxx, I read in your newsletter that you’re starting a new well-being project. I’m a wellness coach and would love to hear more about it. Could you advise me on who I should contact regarding job opportunities in this project?”

The barrier to responding to a message like this is significantly lower compared to a lengthy open application.

Remember

• Do your work well and make it stand out.
• Be a good person.
• Speak up and listen openly.
• Get to know the industry and yourself.
• Open yourself up to opportunities.
• Dare to try new things. If your first choice turns out to be wrong or you don’t yet know what you want to do, you may find your path through experience.
  

*The response period for the Member Pulse survey was 12.3.–19.3.2026. A total of 13,636 people responded.