3 Job Search Features Nobody’s Talking About (But You Should Use)

Most people think job searching = blasting resumes on LinkedIn or hitting “Easy Apply.” But here’s the truth: the hidden gems aren’t in the obvious places. There are underutilized features baked into company sites and social platforms that, if you actually use them, can put you ahead of the herd.

Here are three that almost nobody is leveraging:

1. The “I’m Interested” Button on Company About Pages

Some companies quietly test an “I’m Interested” feature (you’ll spot it on careers or “About Us” sections). It’s not a full application, it’s basically a soft raise of your hand saying “Hey, keep me on your radar.” And the best part - the feature is private and doesn't trigger a notification or post.

Why it matters:

• Pipeline access. Recruiters use this pool before they even post jobs.

• Low effort, high upside. One click could land you in a company’s CRM for future roles.

• Signal of intent. It shows you’re into them, not just any company throwing money at you.

Pro tip: Pair this with following the company on LinkedIn + engaging with their content. It warms you up as a candidate before you even apply.

2. Video Messaging for Outreach (Game-Changer for Coffee Chats)

LinkedIn InMails and cold emails? Snoozefest. Everyone’s inbox is overflowing with generic “Hi, I’d love to connect” messages. But some platforms (and even LinkedIn with third-party integrations) let you send video messages.

Why it matters:

• Face-to-face connection. Video makes you a real person, not just text on a screen.

• Personalization. You can drop a 30-second message explaining why you admire their career path, or why you want 15 mins to learn about their role.

• Higher response rates. People are way less likely to ghost a human face than a template message.

Pro tip: Keep it short (under a minute), specific (mention something about their background), and casual: not a TED Talk.

3. Keyword + Hashtag Searches = Hidden Job Leads

LinkedIn, Twitter/X, and even TikTok are searchable goldmines. Instead of only looking at job boards, use keywords + hashtags to dig up opportunities before they hit the masses.

Examples:

• Search “#hiring medical affairs” → you’ll find hiring managers posting about open roles directly.

• Try “open to work biotech” → connect with peers and swap leads.

• Search “new role + [your target title]” → congratulate folks who’ve just landed jobs (they often leave behind vacancies at their old companies 👀).

Why it matters:

• Direct from the source. Bypasses the job board traffic jam.

• Network effect. You’ll spot hiring managers and recruiters who aren’t even posting on official channels.

• Real-time intel. Hashtags update constantly, so you see things before they go stale.

  
  

🔥 Bottom line: While everyone else is spamming applications, you can slide through the side doors. Use the “I’m Interested” button to get on radars, video messages to stand out in networking, and hashtag searches to uncover hidden roles. These features are out there, you just have to be bold enough to use them.