How to Apply for an Unadvertised Position

"What do they say? Luck is when preparation meets opportunity." If you're reading this, you’ve probably heard of people landing jobs that were never publicly advertised. What’s their secret? They’ve mastered the art of applying for unadvertised positions. This article will show you how to do just that—land your dream job even before it's posted, or sometimes, before it’s even created. Imagine yourself getting in on a role that hasn’t even been discussed in board meetings yet. It’s all about being proactive, strategic, and having the right approach.

To successfully apply for an unadvertised position, the process isn’t about blindly sending resumes into the abyss and hoping for a callback. You need a method—a series of steps that position you as the ideal candidate in the eyes of the company, even before they realize they need you.

1. Do Your Research (and then, dig deeper)

The first step in applying for an unadvertised position is to know the company inside and out. Don’t stop at just understanding their products or services—immerse yourself in their culture, values, and recent activities. What are their pain points? What are the emerging trends or challenges in the industry they operate in? What new projects or expansions are they working on? These insights will help you tailor your approach.

For instance, if a tech startup just secured new funding, they might soon need to hire for marketing, product development, or HR roles even if they haven’t announced it yet. By anticipating their needs before they do, you can position yourself as the solution to a problem they haven’t addressed yet.

2. Build Connections: Networking is Key

If you want to get your foot in the door of an unadvertised position, building connections is non-negotiable. Networking is about building genuine relationships, not just transactional exchanges. Attend industry conferences, join professional groups, or even engage with employees of the company on social media platforms like LinkedIn.

Pro tip: Don’t immediately ask for a job. Instead, offer your expertise, engage in meaningful conversations, and show genuine interest in the company’s activities. The more visibility you have with decision-makers or influencers in the company, the more likely you’ll be on their radar when an opportunity opens up.

Here’s how you can turn networking into a strategic asset:

• Follow the company’s top executives on LinkedIn and Twitter. Engage with their posts by leaving thoughtful comments or sharing relevant articles.
• Attend webinars or industry talks where these executives or department heads might be speaking. It gives you an excuse to follow up with a personalized email or message, referencing the talk.
• Reach out to alumni from your school who are working in your target companies. An alma mater connection can often open doors.

3. Craft a Stellar Cold Email

Cold emailing is an underrated art, especially when it comes to job hunting for positions that aren’t advertised. The trick is not to make the email about you but about them. This means:

• Start with why you admire their company or work and what specific challenges they may be facing (based on your research).
• Highlight your experience and how it directly aligns with solving those challenges.
• Offer a solution and emphasize how you can help them achieve a specific goal.

For example:

Subject: How I Can Help [Company Name] Grow in [Department/Field]
Dear [Hiring Manager/CEO/Specific Person],
I’ve been closely following [Company Name]’s recent developments, especially in [mention a relevant project, expansion, or news related to their business]. As someone with [mention specific experience or expertise], I couldn’t help but think about how I could contribute to [specific goal/challenge you anticipate they are facing].
With [brief mention of your achievements], I’m confident I can help your team overcome [mention specific challenge] and drive [specific result]. Would you be open to a short call or coffee to discuss how I might be able to contribute?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
[Your Name]

4. Tailor Your Resume and Cover Letter

Since the role is unadvertised, it’s crucial to ensure your resume and cover letter are customized to align with the company's goals. Your resume should reflect the exact skills and experience that solve the company’s current or upcoming challenges.

In your cover letter, use the research you’ve done to demonstrate why you’re the perfect candidate for a role they didn’t know they needed. Show them the gaps they might not be seeing, and then position yourself as the solution. This proactivity often impresses decision-makers.

5. Showcase Your Expertise Online

Before you apply for an unadvertised position, make sure your online presence reflects your expertise and professionalism. Your LinkedIn profile, personal blog, or portfolio should highlight your skills, achievements, and any contributions you’ve made to your field.

In fact, create content that aligns with the needs of your target company. For example, if you’re an expert in cybersecurity and the company operates in financial services, publish a few articles on LinkedIn about emerging cybersecurity challenges in fintech. This way, when they Google your name (which they will), they’ll find a thought leader who’s already aligned with their industry’s needs.

6. Be Persistent but Polite

Persistence is key when applying for an unadvertised position, but you don’t want to come off as pushy. If you don’t hear back immediately, follow up after a reasonable amount of time—say, two weeks. Your follow-up email should be polite, reinforcing your continued interest in the company and willingness to contribute.

Here’s a follow-up email template you can use:

Subject: Following Up on My Proposal
Hi [Name],
I just wanted to check in to see if you had a chance to review my previous email. I’m still very interested in contributing to [Company Name] and believe my skills in [mention specific skill/experience] could be particularly useful in addressing [mention company’s pain point or challenge].
If now is not the right time, I completely understand, but I’d love to keep in touch for future opportunities.
Best,
[Your Name]

7. Be Ready for the Interview, Even If It’s Informal

Once you’ve gotten a foot in the door, it’s likely that your first “interview” will be more of a casual conversation. However, you should still treat it as a formal interview. Be prepared to articulate:

• Why you admire the company and why you want to work there.
• How your specific skills can solve their immediate and future challenges.
• What measurable results you’ve achieved in your previous roles.

Remember, even if there’s no formal job opening, this conversation is still your chance to impress them and make them think, “We need this person on our team.”

8. Stay Open to Creating Your Own Role

Sometimes, you may find that the company hasn’t thought about hiring for the role you envision. Don’t be afraid to propose a new role. If you can present a compelling case for why the company needs this position and how you are the perfect fit, you might just create your own job.

A good way to do this is by outlining what the role would entail and how it aligns with the company’s growth goals. Back this up with research, demonstrating how similar companies are leveraging similar roles to succeed.

Conclusion: Applying for Unadvertised Positions—A Game-Changer

Applying for unadvertised positions is not for the faint of heart. It requires patience, persistence, and a lot of preparation. But when done correctly, it can open doors to opportunities you didn’t even know existed. Whether through targeted networking, cold emailing, or showcasing your expertise online, you can position yourself as the ideal candidate before the job is even posted—or created.

So, what are you waiting for? Start your research, build your network, and craft that cold email. Your next career move might just be a conversation away.