Uncover the Best Technology Jobs and Make Sure They Discover You

Passive candidates in technology jobs usually receive the most interesting and rewarding job offers, yet you’ve never been approached. You’ve got all the skills, and your experience would grace any resume. So why is it that you have never been ‘headhunted’?

It is estimated that as many as 80% of jobs are not advertised. If you’re relying on jobs boards, you’re only making yourself accessible to one in every five jobs available. By making yourself more visible to potential employers, you could enhance your career choices and become the one receiving regular approaches from hiring managers and staffing agencies.

The real question then, is not ‘Why have I never been headhunted?’, but ‘How do I attract hiring managers?’.

In this article, we share our tips to make yourself the passive candidate that employers want to speak to.

Why Do Employers Use the Hidden Job Market?

Before we look at how you can make yourself more visible in the hidden job market, it’s important to understand why employers are avoiding the traditional jobs boards in favor of going undercover. Advantages of approaching hiring this way include:

• It’s cheaper – companies can effectively avoid advertising expense
• To hire quietly – tech companies may be making a new move that requires hiring, but they don’t want it overpublicized
• Recommendations and referrals can prove more fruitful – Instead of a cold search, employers find great candidates through recommendations from employees who know the role and company culture, and can provide strong potential leads

5 Ways to Make Yourself Visible to Headhunters

Now you understand why hiring companies employ headhunting strategies, you can develop tactics to become more visible to them. Here are five ways to remove the cloak of invisibility that currently surrounds you.

1.     Develop Your network

Develop your network by creating more professional connections. This doesn’t have to be an awkward process. First, try not to have jobhunting at the forefront of your mind, and instead focus on building new ‘friendships’ with likeminded people. Consider these options:

• Connect through social media
• Attend more in-person conferences and tech events (when the world allows)
• Offer voluntary help in tech advice or manpower, without expecting anything in return

Remember, networking takes time. So, commit to it, and you’ll lay good soil for new opportunities.

2.     Improve and Maintain Your Profile on Social Media

Having an online presence is crucial if you want to be headhunted. Many organizations now conduct their own research as opposed to only relying on well-composed resumes. With a more meaningful social profile, you will find it easier to make industry connections and remain in touch with tech developments. To optimize your social media profile, you must:

• Ensure that your social media profile matches your resume, and keep it updated
• Run yourself through a Google search and detox anything that may deter an employer
• Make sure you’re ‘searchable’, complimented with attractive qualifications and recommendations
• Connect with likeminded professionals
• Add value to your contributions through advice, feedback, resources, and information that you share

You should also connect and interact on forums and group chats, to increase traffic toward your social media platforms.

3.     Develop a Personal Website

Those who stand out are headhunted. Developing a personal website provides a stage for you to showcase your skills, ability, creativity, and experience in tech.

Link your website to your social media profiles, developing a personal brand that represents you as a professional and the ideal candidate to hire for technology jobs.

4.     Register with a Specialist Staffing Agency

Registering with a specialist staffing agency provides you inside access to the latest technology jobs that may not be advertised on jobs boards. Companies use specialist staffing agencies because they provide many of the benefits of headhunting without the enormous effort and commitment needed to execute their own ‘undercover’ recruitment strategy.

Registering with a staffing agency also provides you with professional guidance and advice on your resume and interviewing technique, and introductions to employers who are the best matches for your skills and personality.

Additionally, they may also present you with opportunities such as temporary or contract-to-hire roles, which allow you to broaden your network, learn new skills, and get your foot in the door for potential permanent roles with your favored company.

5.     Always Say Yes When Headhunted

If you’ve been approached, always say yes to meeting. It does no harm to talk, and can do you a lot of good. You’ll learn about possible positions available and the salary that you might be offered, and you can get feedback on what tactics you have used that have brought you to the attention of the headhunter. Plus, you’ll get a cup of coffee, or maybe even lunch!

Take Your First Step to Being Headhunted for Technology Jobs

How you present your skills and qualifications goes hand-in-hand with how you present yourself online and in-person. A specialist staffing agency can help guide tech companies in your direction, and provide you with professional guidance and incredible options and opportunities in technology jobs.

Contact Irvine Tech today and start creating a new career path today.