This Stat Suggests You Should Search for a Company You Like, Not the Job You Want

An estimated 80 percent of open jobs are filled from within the company. The job is never advertised. And though it might not seem fair if you’re on the outside looking in, this common corporate practice makes sense.

Why? Because employers prefer known commodities. For them, hiring someone they know with a known track record for performance and potential is less risky than hiring someone from the outside. They know what they’re getting.

What does this mean if you’re looking for your next job opportunity?

You might be limiting yourself, prolonging your search, or both.

Conventional wisdom tells us to look for the job we want first and consider the company second. After all, that’s the shortest path between where you are and where you want to land, right?

Well, maybe not.

Consider this scenario: You’re a rockstar social media manager looking for a top spot in the marketing department at medium to large companies in your area. Depending on your city, you might surface 3 to 4 opportunities per month. You know from experience these are competitive positions. There are likely hundreds of others also eying those positions. Even if you’re great at what you do, there are dozens of other factors at play that could keep you from getting that job.

Instead, what if you focused your search on 3 to 4 companies in your area with opportunities and excellent reputations for employee relations If you broaden your search to any role in marketing, communications, or sales, the openings double or triple to 6 to 12 per month.

Bottom-line recommendation? You should search for the company you want to work for — not the job.

Which companies should you target?

Looking for top-rated or winners of “best places to work” accolades is a good place to start. You should also ask friends and colleagues what they love (or don’t love) about their current employer. Glassdoor ratings are one indicator to consider, as well.

Identify everyone within your network with connections to the company. Arrange an informational interview to test your impressions. An important question to ask is whether internal movement is encouraged or just a talking point. From your research, identify a range of positions you’re qualified for, and then apply to those.

Taking a good job — even if it’s not your “dream” job — allows you and your new employer to get to know each other. Hard work and consistent performance will set you up for that next position that won’t even be advertised.

When looking for your next opportunity, a job-only search might be too narrow and limit your chances of joining an organization that fits you. The better long-term strategy is to first get in the door, then navigate into the position you want.