You can’t see a vacancy before it exists. But you can be close enough to an employer that you hear about it first, or that you’re already in their mind when it opens. That is what “finding jobs before they’re posted” really means.
Where do jobs appear first?
Usually on the employer’s own careers site. A hiring manager gets approval, the HR team publishes the role there, and only some time later, if at all, does it get copied to job boards. Some employers never use boards. Others use them for entry-level roles but fill senior ones through contacts.
So the closest you can get to the start of the process is the source. That is true for large companies with applicant systems and for small teams who put a “Join us” page on their website.
How do you watch an employer’s careers site?
Pick a shortlist. Fifteen to thirty companies is realistic. Choose employers you would be glad to work for, not just those who are hiring today.
Then make checking easy:
- Bookmark each careers page in one folder.
- Check on a fixed day, such as Monday and Thursday.
- Note the date a role first appears. Early applications often get more attention than late ones.
- Keep a short note on each company: what they do, who runs the team you’d join, what you’d bring.
This is dull work, which is why many people drop it after a week. Anything that does the checking for you helps.
How can networking help?
Many vacancies are known to someone inside the company before they’re public. A team lead says “we’re going to need another analyst in the new year” over lunch. A colleague hears the role is about to be approved.
You don’t need to be a natural networker. Some practical routes:
- Ask former colleagues and classmates who they know at your target employers.
- Go to meetups, talks and industry events in your field.
- Send a short, specific message to someone doing the job you want, asking about their work. Do not ask them for a job in the first message.
- Say yes when someone offers an introduction.
Here is a template that keeps it light:
Hello [Name],
I’m a [your role] and I’ve been following [Company]’s work on [specific project]. I’d really value ten minutes of your time to hear what the team is focused on this year.
If that isn’t possible, no problem at all. Thank you for reading.
[Your name]
Some people will ignore it. A few will reply, and one of them may remember you when a role comes up.
Should you send a speculative application?
A speculative application is a CV and short cover note sent to an employer that hasn’t advertised a role. It works best when:
- The employer is small or mid-sized.
- Your skills match something they clearly need.
- You can name a person to send it to.
Make it easy to say yes. State what you can do, give one or two examples, and say what sort of role you’re after. Avoid “I’ll do anything”.
Expect silence from many. A reply that says “nothing now, but we’ll keep your details” still counts. Note the date and follow up politely in a few months.
What if you follow a company and nothing appears?
That’s normal. Hiring comes in waves, tied to budgets, product launches and people leaving. A company that posts nothing for three months may post five roles in one week.
When you follow companies, you aren’t just waiting for a vacancy. You’re learning when and how they hire, which teams grow, and what they ask for. That helps you write a better application when the role does appear.
How can you be ready when a role is posted?
Preparation matters as much as speed. Have these ready before you need them:
- A current CV that you can adapt in 20 minutes.
- A short paragraph about why you want to work for each target employer.
- Two or three examples of your work, ready to paste in.
- A list of references who have agreed to be contacted.
Then apply as soon as a role you want appears. In many hiring processes, early applications are read first. That isn’t a rule, but it is common enough to be worth acting on.
Where does JobChime fit in?
If you don’t want to check thirty careers pages by hand, JobChime does it for you. You follow the companies you want, and it sends an alert when one posts a new role on its own careers site. Each role links back to that site, so you apply with the employer directly. The point is to be among the first to know, not to replace networking.
What should you not do?
Don’t pay anyone who promises access to “hidden jobs”. Genuine employers don’t charge you to apply, and a paid list of vacancies you could find yourself is not good value. If a “recruiter” asks for a fee, see our guide on how to spot a fake job posting.
Don’t mass-send the same message. A short note that names the company and the work beats a hundred generic ones.
A simple weekly routine
- Monday: check your followed careers sites and note anything new.
- Midweek: send two messages to people at target employers.
- Friday: update your list, tidy your CV, and apply to anything that fits.
Keep it going for a month. Most people who try it find a small number of useful contacts, and that is what gets you in early.