STEP 6
THE HIDDEN JOB MARKET
YOUR SECRET WEAPON TO JOB SEARCH SUCCESS
Tired of competing with everyone on Seek and Indeed? Fair enough. It’s time to take the road less travelled. How, you ask? By tapping into the hidden job market. Don’t be scared, you’ll be fine. Here are your key avenues to the hidden job market.
MARKETING-SPECIFIC JOB SITES
Scrolling through the same websites is getting old. So let’s check out some more alternative sources:
- Monash Career Connect: Targeted opportunities just for students and grads, including global roles.
- Monash Career Gateway: A university-managed job portal with exclusive listings for Monash students and grads.
- Monash Talent: Specialises in hooking you up with employers who need fresh marketing graduates.
- Australian Marketing Institute (AMI): For all things marketing – the AMI job hub links you to companies looking for marketing pros at every level.
- Australian Market & Social Research Society (AMSRS): A must-visit for research gigs and career resources.
CONNECT WITH MARKETING RECRUITERS
General recruiters are cool, but marketing recruiters? Now, they get you.
So reach out, introduce yourself and let them know what kind of role you’re looking for. Most of them will be happy to hear from you and invite you in for an interview (even if it’s not for a specific job just yet).
Some marketing recruitment firms include:
- Six Degrees Executive: South Yarra recruitment agency with over 20 years of experience.
- Creative Recruiters: Prahran-based recruitment specialists, partnering with corporate and government sectors, design studios and digital, advertising and marketing agencies.
- Creative Natives: Places permanent and freelance roles within the creative, digital and marketing space for agencies and client-side businesses in Melbourne and Sydney.
These agencies hook you up with jobs – obviously – but they may also help you polish your resume, cover letter and interview skills.
JOIN INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS – AND ATTEND THEIR EVENTS!
All the pros aren’t hanging out on random job boards. They’re attending industry events, panels and webinars hosted by groups like:
- Australian Marketing Institute (AMI): The professional association for marketers in Australia.
- Association for Data-driven Marketing and Advertising (ADMA): The principal industry body for data-driven marketing and advertising.
- Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA): The peak national body championing the interests of Australia’s advertisers, delivering value for brands, the community and the economy.
These aren’t just good for job leads; they’re where you’ll make invaluable connections.
BUILD YOUR LINKEDIN PRESENCE
Rather than advertising to the masses, many employers and recruiters scour LinkedIn for candidates – and then slide into their DMs.
So be sure your LinkedIn profile is ripe for these direct approaches. How?
Head back to the start of this module for all my top tips to spice up your LinkedIn profile.
Oh – and be sure to add the green ‘Open to work’ banner to your profile photo!
BE PROACTIVE WITH EMPLOYERS
Don’t just sit around waiting for your dream company to post a job ad. Take the initiative and reach out to companies you admire, even if they’re not advertising.
A cut-through email introducing yourself and explaining how you’d be a great fit might just land in someone’s inbox at the perfect time!
And if that doesn’t work? Get your face out there!
If you want to find that dream job, you need to put yourself in the right room. That means attending networking events, virtual webinars or career fairs.
If only there was a marketing society specifically for university students that facilitated this type of event…
LEVERAGE YOUR NETWORK
It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Old saying, but it’s true.
So reach out to family, friends, lecturers, neighbours, enemies – ask them who they know. People love helping people.
Referrals are golden, and you never know who might have the inside scoop about a role that’s perfect for you.
IT’S YOUR MOVE
Ready to unlock the hidden job market? It’s time to ditch the passive scrolling and get proactive. Make calls. Build connections. And remember – sometimes, the best jobs are the ones you never see listed.