Stop Waiting for the Job Posting
Most job seekers start the same way. They scan the listings, find something promising, and send in an application. Then they do it again, and again, and wait.
The trouble is that by the time a role is public, you're competing with everyone else who spotted it. Online applications are easy to send, so the pile gets big fast, and a recruiter skimming hundreds of résumés has very little to go on. That's a hard place to make an impression from.
A better approach is to start the conversation before the opening exists.
Pick your targets first
Instead of reacting to postings, make a short list of ten to fifteen organizations you'd genuinely like to work for. Look at what they do, what they value, and what kinds of roles they've filled before. That last part matters: past hiring tells you where they're likely to hire again.
Mine the network you already have
Search your contacts for any connection to those companies. Former colleagues, classmates, neighbors, and friends of friends all count. A second-degree connection you can reach through a mutual acquaintance is often more useful than you'd expect.
Ask for perspective, not a job
This is where most people go wrong. If you message someone with "Are you hiring?", the honest answer is usually no, and the conversation ends there.
Ask for something people are happy to give instead:
- What's the culture really like day to day?
- What does someone need to succeed in your team?
- If you were in my position, what would you do next?
With peers, keep it curious and casual. With someone senior who might eventually manage the role you want, keep the request even smaller: a bit of advice, or a pointer to someone else worth talking to. People remember being asked for their expertise, and they tend to remember who asked.
Stay on their radar, politely
One coffee chat isn't a campaign. Send a thank-you, and follow up when something relevant comes up, like an article they'd enjoy or an update on something they suggested. Keep it light and genuine. You're building a relationship, not putting pressure on anyone.
When the role does appear
If a position opens at a company where you've done this groundwork, you're no longer a stranger in the stack. Someone may flag your name early, or you may hear about the opening before it's public. You may still need to apply formally, but you'll be applying with allies.
Applications still matter, and I'm not suggesting you abandon them. But if all your energy goes into the open-posting race, you're playing the most crowded version of the game. Put some of that time into conversations instead, and you'll often find the doors that open are the ones nobody else knew were there.