7 Secret LinkedIn Search Strings That Uncover Hidden Jobs (That 99% of Applicants Don’t Know About)

Remember that shocking statistic from our last article? Up to 70% of jobs are never publicly advertised. These positions make up what industry insiders call “the hidden job market”—and while most job seekers are battling for scraps on job boards, savvy candidates are landing these unadvertised opportunities.

But here’s the good news: LinkedIn can be your secret weapon for uncovering these hidden jobs—if you know how to use it properly.

Most people use LinkedIn’s job search like they’d use any other job board: typing in a job title, hitting search, and scrolling through listings. But that approach only gives you access to the 30% of jobs that companies are actively advertising.

Today, I’m going to give you 7 powerful LinkedIn search strings that will help you uncover opportunities lurking beneath the surface—the ones your competition doesn’t even know exist.

Why Most People Miss Hidden Opportunities on LinkedIn

Before we dive into the specific search strings, let’s understand why most job seekers miss these hidden opportunities.

LinkedIn has powerful search capabilities that go far beyond the basic job search function. Using Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) and special search techniques, you can uncover information that most users never see.

Recruiters and hiring managers have been using these advanced search techniques for years to find candidates. Now it’s time to flip the script and use their own tactics to find them.

The 7 Secret LinkedIn Search Strings

Let’s get to the good stuff. These search strings are your skeleton keys to unlocking LinkedIn’s hidden job market. I’ll explain each one, show you how to use it, and provide examples of the results you can expect.

Search String #1: Find Recently Posted Jobs Before They Get Competitive

(“just posted” OR “newly posted” OR “new opening” OR “new position”) (hiring OR opportunity OR apply) (“your job title” OR “your skill”)

Why it works: This string catches jobs right as they’re announced, often before they make it to formal job boards. The earlier you apply, the better your chances.

How to use it: Replace “your job title” and “your skill” with your specific role or expertise. For example, if you’re a UX designer, you might use:

(“just posted” OR “newly posted” OR “new opening” OR “new position”) (hiring OR opportunity OR apply) (“your job title” OR “your skill”)(“just posted” OR “newly posted” OR “new opening” OR “new position”) (hiring OR opportunity OR apply) (“your job title” OR “your skill”)

Pro tip: Set up a saved search with notifications so LinkedIn will alert you when new content matching this search appears.

Search String #2: Uncover Jobs Not Listed as “Jobs”

(“we are looking for” OR “we are hiring” OR “join our team” OR “apply now”) -“job posted” (“your job title” OR “your skill”)

Why it works: Many companies announce openings in regular posts before creating formal job listings. The “-job posted” part filters out standard job postings, focusing only on these informal announcements.

Real example: A marketing professional used this string and found a post from a startup founder announcing they were building out their marketing team. She reached out directly, had coffee with the founder the next day, and received an offer within the week—all while the company was still drafting the formal job description.

Search String #3: Target Companies in Growth Mode

(“expanding team” OR “growing team” OR “scaling up” OR “new funding” OR “series A” OR “series B” OR “we’re growing”) (“your industry”)

Why it works: Companies that are growing or have recently received funding are likely hiring across multiple departments. These organizations often need to fill positions quickly and may be more open to considering candidates who reach out proactively.

According to LinkedIn’s data, companies that have received venture funding in the last 3-6 months are 5 times more likely to be actively hiring than other companies.

Interview Guys Tip: For even better results, add company size filters using LinkedIn’s advanced search. Early-stage startups (11-50 employees) often have less formal hiring processes and more openings that aren’t advertised.

Search String #4: Connect with Hiring Managers Directly

(manager OR director OR VP OR “vice president” OR head) (“hiring” OR “recruiting” OR “looking for” OR “building team”) (“your department” OR “your specialty”)

Why it works: This search helps you identify decision-makers who are actively building their teams. These are the people who can hire you even if there’s no formal opening.

How to use it: After identifying potential hiring managers, don’t immediately ask for a job. Instead, engage with their content, share thoughtful insights, and then request a brief informational interview to learn more about their company and team.

Sample outreach message:

Hi [Name],

I noticed you’re building out the [department] team at [Company]. I’ve been following your company’s work on [specific project/product] and am impressed with your approach to [specific aspect].

I have [X years] of experience in this space and would love to learn more about the challenges your team is tackling. Would you be open to a 15-minute virtual coffee to share some insights about the industry and your experience at [Company]?

Thanks for considering, [Your Name]

Search String #5: Find “Urgent” Hiring Needs

(“urgent hiring” OR “immediate opening” OR “urgent need” OR “looking to fill immediately”) (“your job title” OR “your skill”) -“agency” -“recruiter”

Why it works: Positions that need to be filled immediately often have expedited hiring processes and less competition because they haven’t been widely advertised. The “-agency” and “-recruiter” parts filter out staffing agency posts, focusing on direct employer opportunities.

According to SHRM, positions classified as “urgent” are filled 10 days faster on average than standard openings. Companies with urgent needs are also more likely to compromise on “perfect fit” requirements.

Success story: A software developer used this string to find a company that had just lost a key team member mid-project. He applied directly, emphasizing his ability to ramp up quickly. He was hired within 48 hours and started the following Monday.

Search String #6: Uncover Contract-to-Hire Opportunities

(“contract to hire” OR “contract-to-hire” OR “contract with potential for full time” OR “temp to perm”) (“your job title” OR “your skill”)

Why it works: Contract-to-hire positions often have less competition than permanent roles but can lead to long-term employment. Companies use these arrangements to “try before they buy,” and candidates who perform well are frequently converted to full-time employees.

Research from the American Staffing Association shows that 49% of temporary workers are eventually offered permanent positions at the companies where they’re placed.

Pro tip: When interviewing for contract-to-hire roles, ask about the company’s conversion rate and the specific metrics they use to evaluate contractors for permanent positions.

Search String #7: Identify Companies with Recent Funding

(“closed funding” OR “raised Series” OR “million in funding” OR “announced funding”) (“last 2 months” OR “last month” OR “last week”) (“your industry”)

Why it works: Companies that have recently secured funding are almost always looking to expand their teams. This search helps you identify these companies before they’ve had time to post all their open positions.

According to CB Insights, companies typically start their most aggressive hiring within 3 months of announcing a funding round.

Strategic approach: When you find a company that’s recently raised funding, research their growth plans (often mentioned in funding press releases) and identify gaps where your skills would be valuable. Then reach out to the appropriate leader with a specific pitch about how you can help them achieve their growth objectives.

Implementing These Search Strategies Effectively

Having these search strings is just the first step. Here’s how to turn your search results into actual job opportunities:

1. Create a System

Don’t try to run all these searches manually every day. Instead:

• Set up saved searches for your most effective strings
• Create alerts to notify you of new results
• Schedule 30 minutes twice a week to review and act on your findings

2. Act Quickly

When you find a promising opportunity through these hidden channels, speed matters. Research suggests that applying within the first 24 hours of a job posting can increase your chances of getting an interview by up to 8x.

For opportunities that aren’t formal job postings, being the first to reach out can position you as proactive and genuinely interested.

3. Customize Your Approach

Generic messages won’t work for hidden opportunities. For each potential connection:

• Research the company and the individual you’re contacting
• Reference specific company achievements or content they’ve shared
• Explain precisely how your skills align with their needs
• Offer specific insights or ideas that demonstrate your value

4. Track Your Results

Create a simple spreadsheet to track:

• Which search strings are yielding the best results for your industry
• Response rates to different types of outreach messages
• Time from initial contact to meaningful conversation
• Conversion rate from conversation to interview or offer

Use this data to continuously refine your approach.

Case Study: How Jessica Used LinkedIn Search Strings to Land Her Dream Job

Jessica was a marketing manager who had been applying to posted jobs for three months with no success. After learning about advanced LinkedIn search techniques, she implemented search string #3 to find companies in growth mode in her industry.

She discovered a Series A-funded tech company that had announced expansion plans but hadn’t posted any marketing positions. Through additional research, she identified the VP of Marketing and used search string #4 to confirm he had recently posted about “building a world-class marketing team.”

Instead of asking about job openings, Jessica created a brief marketing analysis of the company’s current strategy and sent it to the VP with a request for feedback. Impressed by her initiative and insights, he invited her for a conversation that turned into a formal interview.

Two weeks later, Jessica received an offer for a Senior Marketing Manager position—a role that was still being defined and had never been posted publicly.

The key lessons from Jessica’s success:

1. She focused on companies with a high likelihood of hiring (recent funding)
2. She identified the actual decision-maker rather than going through HR
3. She demonstrated value before asking for anything in return
4. She positioned herself as a solution to business needs rather than as a job applicant

Common Mistakes to Avoid

These powerful search strings can transform your job search, but watch out for these common pitfalls:

1. Casting too wide a net: If your searches return hundreds of results, they’re probably too broad. Add more specific terms related to your niche.
2. Focusing only on job titles: Skills and responsibilities often matter more than titles. Include industry-specific terminology in your searches.
3. Neglecting to follow up: Many successful hidden-market job seekers report that it was their second or third follow-up that finally got a response.
4. Asking directly for a job too soon: Build the relationship first, demonstrate value, and let the job conversation emerge naturally.

Your Action Plan: Starting Today

Ready to tap into LinkedIn’s hidden job market? Here’s your five-step action plan:

1. Today: Set up your first three search strings, customized for your industry and role
2. Tomorrow: Identify and reach out to five potential connections from your search results
3. This week: Create a tracking system for your search results and outreach efforts
4. Next week: Analyze which strings are most effective for your situation and refine your approach
5. Ongoing: Dedicate 3-5 hours weekly to this proactive search strategy

Remember, while other job seekers are waiting for opportunities to be handed to them on job boards, you’re now equipped to uncover positions they’ll never even know existed.

Ready to Master the Entire Hidden Job Market?

These LinkedIn search strings are just one piece of the hidden job market puzzle. In our next article, we’ll show you how to turn cold connections into job referrals in just 72 hours—without the awkwardness that usually comes with networking.

But if you haven’t read our comprehensive guide to The Hidden Job Market, start there to understand why 70% of positions are never publicly advertised and how you can position yourself to access these opportunities.

What’s your experience with LinkedIn’s advanced search features? Have you discovered any hidden opportunities using these techniques? Share your story in the comments below!