In 2012, I almost gave up on design.
I had just graduated from uni in Sydney.
Top of my class.
Scholarship.
National and international design awards.
Even got featured in the newspaper.
Didn’t matter.
I was forced back to Singapore because of visa restrictions. I thought I’d land something quickly — after all, I had the credentials. Instead, I spent the next 6 months struggling.
- Sent out hundreds of applications to IDEO, Samsung, Panasonic, Dell.
- Ran my own design studio with my alma mater — but never got paid.
- Burned through my savings.
- Took on freelance scraps just to survive.
Every day felt like: apply, apply, apply… with nothing to show for it.
And the worst part? Even when I landed an interview, I could see the doubt in their eyes. I had the awards, the portfolio, the grades. But it didn’t matter. It crushed my confidence. I started asking: Did I choose the wrong career?
The turning point came from a recruiter named Lisa.
She didn’t send me a job posting. She invited me to something unusual: a casual drinks night where she brought together her hiring managers and her job seekers.
I almost didn’t go. I’m an introvert, and the idea of small talk terrified me. But I showed up.
That night, I met two design managers — one South African, one Brazilian. We didn’t really talk shop. We just connected. We vibed. And a few days later, they invited me in for a portfolio chat.
Within a week, I had an offer.
That experience opened my eyes to something nobody tells you:
The best opportunities are in the hidden job market.
These are roles that never show up on LinkedIn or job boards.
They’re filled before they’re even posted.
And you only get access to them through conversations, referrals, and trust.
Looking back, I realized:
- Job boards are where the competition is highest and the odds are lowest.
- The hidden market is where hiring moves faster, relationships matter more than resumes, and offers happen with less resistance.
- The difference isn’t about working harder. It’s about playing in a different arena.
If I could write a note to my younger self, it’d say:
“Stop chasing what everyone else sees. Start building relationships with the people who already hold the keys.”
(Yes, that's me on the right together with Lisa on the left, and Nuno (one of the hiring managers) in the middle.)
That’s why I built my Dream Network + Strategic Outreach training.
It teaches you how to:
- Identify your top 10 dream companies (not just big tech or FAANG).
- Find the right people inside those companies.
- Start conversations with purpose, curiosity, and clarity.
- Tap into the hidden job market — where the real opportunities live.
Normally, clients pay me $100/week to learn this.
But since I’m turning 38 on Sept 5, I’m giving you the same system for just $38 until Sept 6.
👉 Grab the Birthday Bundle here
This offer closes Sept 6 at 11:59PM. After that, the candles are out.
See you on the hidden job market side,
Joseph
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