As a Head of Product Design, I once offered someone a role before the job description was even written.

She wasn't the most experienced candidate on paper.

But I had mentored her for months. I watched her take feedback, work on it, and come back better every time.

She had a growth mindset. She was coachable. I knew she would figure things out.

So when I needed to hire, I already knew who I wanted.

The job posting was a formality.

I've been on the other side too.

My lecturer role at the university? A coffee chat. The dean reached out. We talked. I did a short teaching sample. I got the offer before the role was published.

My role at DBS? The hiring manager reached out to me directly.

My last role? The CEO messaged me on LinkedIn.

And the one before that? Same thing. The Head of Experience found me before the job went live.

Every major role in my career came through the backdoor.

Not through job boards. Not through applications. Through conversations that happened before anything was posted.

This isn't luck. It's a pattern.

70% of roles are filled this way.

The question is: are you building relationships with the right people before you need a job?

Or are you waiting until you're desperate — when it's already too late?

— Joseph

P.S. If you want to learn how to access the hidden job market, reply "hidden" and I'll send you the details.