This is a link post.
Tl;dr:
In this post, I introduce a concept I call surface area for serendipity — the informal, behind-the-scenes work that makes it easier for others to notice, trust, and collaborate with you. In a job market where some EA and animal advocacy roles attract over 1,300 applicants, relying on traditional applications alone is unlikely to land you a role.
This post offers a tactical roadmap to the hidden layer of hiring: small, often unpaid but high-leverage actions that build visibility and trust before a job ever opens. The general principle is simple: show up consistently where your future collaborators or employers hang out — and let your strengths be visible. Done well, this increases your chances of being invited, remembered, or hired — long before you ever apply.
Acknowledgements: Thanks to Kevin Xia for your valuable feedback and suggestions, and Toby Tremlett for offering general [...]
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Outline:
(00:15) Tl;dr:
(01:19) Why I Wrote This
(02:30) When Applying Feels Like a Lottery
(04:14) What Surface Area for Serendipity Means
(07:21) What It Looks Like (with Examples)
(09:02) Case Study: Kevin's Path to Becoming Hive's Managing Director
(10:27) Common Pitfalls to Avoid
(12:00) Share Your Journey
The original text contained 4 footnotes which were omitted from this narration.
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First published:
July 1st, 2025
Source:
https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/5iqTPsrGtz8EYi9r9/how-unofficial-work-gets-you-hired-building-your-surface
Linkpost URL:
https://notingthemargin.substack.com/p/how-unofficial-work-gets-you-hired
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Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.
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