You know how the majority of an iceberg is below the surface? The job market works the same way. In this post, I want to share how you can increase your exposure to the 80 % of the job market that is not visible.

If you only apply for jobs on job boards, then you will only target 20 % of all jobs out there. Because most jobs are not posted on job boards.

This week alone, I have received emails from several people saying they have found internships that were not posted on any job boards. I have had contact with these two people for a while. I asked them how they found the job and both of them gave a very similar story.

Both of them had contacted the company directly and suggested an internship. No advertisement from the company side. No business need. They just found a good fit between their skill set and the company. They were proactive.

If we look at the statistics, around 60 – 80 % of all the jobs are NOT posted on job boards like Arbetsförmedlingen. This means that if we have 80 000 jobs on a job board, there are 320 000 additional jobs that are never posted…

I often ask people that are job hunting what their process is for applying for jobs. The majority tell me they go to a job board and apply for the jobs that fit their profile. So most people I talk to are actually spending all their time applying for only 20 % of all the jobs out there. This is why it is so damn hard to get a job on a job board.

But, why are people applying for jobs on job boards?

One word – certainty. Applying for a job on a job board is certain. Think about it:

• You KNOW that there is a job.
• You KNOW the process of applying for it. (sending CV/cover letter)
• You KNOW how to measure progress. (amount of applications).

In other words, there is a very formal and straight forward way to how to behave when applying for jobs on jobs boards. As humans, we like when there is certainty. Don’t we?

I really want to help you discover new ways to apply for jobs and find income opportunities. Because, I want to help you and I know that they will increase your effectiveness. I want to help you see the bottom of the Iceberg also. The 80 % of all the jobs out there. I want you to be exposed to that part of the job market also.

This other 80 % are generally less structured and more uncertain. But, as in many areas of life, the uncertainty/risk comes with higher rewards. So, what are these approaches? Let’s focus on two simple ways to find jobs through networking and spontaneous applications. I want to share one specific strategy for both these ways.

Strategy 1 – The Fika/Coffee Email

Having Fika means having a cup of coffee, sometimes with some sweet bakeries. It is a social event. You can either have fika with people you know or want to know. It is a really good way to get to know someone.

I have seen this work out for a lot of people, myself included. The idea is this, you found a company you find interesting. Some place that fits your profile and then you find some person at that company that you want to meet. Preferably HR or someone that has a job that you are interested in having. Then the purpose of the meeting is to get to know each other. You are not applying for a job, you are not pitching yourself. You are simply just getting to know new people and companies that you think is interesting. Curiosity is your friend.

I want to emphasize one thing with this meetings and networking in general. The purpose of networking is not for someone to hand you a job on the first point of contact. Coming in with that expectation is completely wrong. The purpose of networking is to simply get to know other people that share your interest. These relationships can turn into employee-employer, buyer-seller or whatever later. But that is a nice side effect.

Lots of people go to networking events or meetings with people and say “it didn’t lead to anything”. I understand that. I mean, if you really, really need to find a job it is really frustrating to not find a job. But, don’t have a fika with someone or meet someone at a networking event with the intent to get something from them. Go there to get to know them. That is all.

How to propose a fika:

1. Find an interesting company.
2. Think about where you could work in that organization
3. Find a person that has a job similar to the one you want to have alternatively HR.
4. Send an email or LinkedIn connection request introducing yourself.

An example introduction could be:

“Hey! My name is Andreas. I saw that you worked with Sales at IKEA. I have quite recently learned about this great thing called fika and would like to have one with you. I have been working in the same field but in another country/company and would love to hear about your experiences. Would you have 15 minutes sometime soon?”

Aim for a 15-minute conversation. Not a job, not a one-hour meeting, not becoming best friends forever. 15 minutes, coffee and an interesting discussion. That is what you are aiming for.

Strategy 2 – The Spontaneous Application

This approach is a little more straight-forward! Instead of just doing it for networking, this approach is more focused on actually trying to find a place in the organization.

Most organizations have a page on their website called “careers/jobs/jobb” or similarly where they collect all information about being an employee at the firm. Generally, they will have something about spontaneous applications (spontanansökningar). Feel free to follow whatever procedure they lay out there.

But, and this is a big but, whenever you send your spontaneous application. Or really any type of email that you want to have a response at, you need a question in the email and it has to be a good question.

The problem that I see is that a lot of people write something like:

“Hey! Here is my CV. Do you have a job for me?”

There are several problems with an email like that. First of all, think about the recipient of that email. When they don’t have any positions up at the moment, they are most likely not actively hiring for a specific role. But most companies are open to get to know you if you can be a part of their business in the future. So, they are saving up on interesting candidates for the future. The purpose of sending a spontaneous application is not to get a job TODAY, but sometime in the future. In general, finding a job will take you at least weeks or months, even when the company is actively hiring.

The purpose of that spontaneous application is not to find a job, it is to open up a relationship. The best way to open a relationship is generally not to say “do you have something for me?” but rather something like:

“Hey! I looked at your website and saw your products. I can really see the [product name] solve a big problem for [type of customer]. I was very happy to see that you are also open to receiving spontaneous applications. I have been [mention something you have done professionally in the past]. I would love to hear more about what you do and if I can help you. Would you be interested in having a first call Tuesday next week?”

You see the point right?

The purpose of this first email is establishing a connection. You are not only looking for a job, you are also trying to figure out if you can contribute with value for them. See the difference?

Good!

So let’s wrap up. Please understand that the job market is so much more than the open positions on the job boards. Most job hunters chase the 20 % of the job market while there are tons of opportunities waiting below the top of the Iceberg in the form of spontaneous applications and networking. Try these approaches out and start building yourself a network. Some important things to remember:

• Less is more
• Aim for a first phone call or meeting. No longer than 15 minutes.
• Show interest in the company.
• Don’t ask for a job

Let me know how it goes!