Most Ocean Jobs Aren’t Posted, So How Do People Get Them?

0:00 Most of ocean conservation jobs have never been posted publicly. So how are people actually getting those jobs? Because if you've been applying online, sending resumes and hearing nothing back, you're not doing it wrong. You're just playing the wrong game. This is the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, your weekday ocean news and career insight podcast. If you care about building a career in ocean conservation and science, hit that follow button right now because this week, we're going to be talking about how to get jobs in marine science and conservation for the next five episode Friday. I'm going to be talking about something that happened recently to me, but a new job change is going to be exciting. I'm looking forward to doing it and I use a lot of the skills.

0:42 I've used a lot of the skills that we talked about here and a lot of the strategies we talk about this week. So don't forget to hit that follow button so you can tune into this week's, all of this week's episodes. All right, so here's the truth that most people won't tell you about jobs. A huge percentage of the jobs in ocean conservation are filled before they're ever even posted. Not because it's unfair, but it's because it's easier. Think about it from a hiring manager's perspective. If you already know someone, you've worked with them in the field, you met them at a conference or you see you've seen how they think or communicate. Why would you sort through 200 cold applications or probably more these days like 800 cold applications?

1:25 You wouldn't you would just write. You'd rather just reach out and say, hey, are you available to work this job? And that's that's the hidden job market. It's built on referrals, collaborations and relationships. And this is why cold applications feel like they disappear into a void because most of the real opportunities never make it that far. I have been applying for jobs for the last probably two decades and a lot of the times there was a while where I was getting interviews and stuff. But lately it the game has changed folks. You know, people are getting, you know, three, four hundred, five hundred, six hundred up to 800 resumes for one job posting.

2:06 Most people don't even apply, like don't even qualify for the position, but they're still applying and that just makes it even more difficult for people to get through. And the right candidate to get through. So doesn't mean that you don't qualify for that position and you don't deserve that position. It just means you're not being seen. And because sometimes when the job is posted, there's already somebody that they have in mind for it. They just have to post it. So it's working against you in a way just to post to those resumes. So we're going to talk more about that today. Now, here's where, you know, people get networking completely wrong because networking is a big, a big part of this. They think it means, hey, can you help me get a job or can you get me a job? Do you know if there's a job available?

2:48 That stuff doesn't work. Networking is not asking for something. It's about becoming someone people recognize. It's about familiarity, trust, consistency. And when your name comes up, someone thinks, yeah, I know them. They're pretty solid. They'd be good at this position or they'd be good at that or I know them. They're really good. That's networking. And it doesn't happen in one message. It happens over time. You have to invest that time. So where does this actually happen in ocean conservation? There's a few key places. If you get to conferences, this is still one of the biggest ones that like biggest means of getting that type of relationship or building those link those relationships.

3:29 Even small regional ones would really help because the people there, they're the ones that are the ones that are going to doing the work, right? They're the ones who are the hiring managers. They're the ones who are doing the work. They're the ones who are going out and saying, hey, you know what? Like I know of this person is looking for someone or hey, I'd like to get to know what you do all that kind of stuff. So conferences are still one of the best places to do that. They can be far and they can be expensive. I know that but if you can get yourself to a conference, that's the best way to do it, especially if it's local webinars and virtual events. Probably underrated. But people show up consistently ask good questions and get noticed. If you if you've always noticed anytime you're on a webinar, you probably see the same people that come over, especially if it's part of the same group that those people stand out and eventually build those help build those relationship.

4:19 It's like your way into those relationship and LinkedIn is still one of the best social media tools if you use it properly, not for cold pitching like hey, I'm looking for a job. It's for commenting sharing ideas and showing you understand the space. So don't forget about LinkedIn. Like, you know, one of the things that I noticed about LinkedIn, a lot of science people on there, there's a lot of conservation people in the oceans on there and like like CEOs and presidents and things like that. Those are probably not the ones you're looking to get job, but you can still build a name out for yourself through there, not only by commenting, but by posting your own stuff, you know, looking at how you feel about certain aspects of the business or certain aspects of a project or study that you either put out or paper that you've put out or even just like what people what you've seen and commented on what you've seen that's come out.

5:07 And of course, as you know, I'm a big fan of podcasts. So I would say podcast is another one and this is where you have an unfair advantage. You don't need permission to reach out to someone and say, hey, I'd love to feature your work on my podcast. That's not networking. It's value and it builds relationships faster than almost anything else. And I'll tell you why as someone who's run a podcast for the last 11 years, I would say I've my network has increased in value. Because of the podcast because when I interview someone, I'm not just interviewing them for the hour 45 minutes to an hour that I have them on the on the show. I'm actually talking to them talking to them maybe in a pre interview.

5:49 So for another hour before that or half hour before that or like 15 minutes before the interview, but the after interview is really where things kind of pop off in terms of deepening the value of the relationship. That's where now they feel comfortable. You they know what the interviews like. They're not as nervous to do the interview and the guests are like, hey, like what do you how often do you do this? A lot of times I talk about the podcast, the success of it where like when I'm going to post it, but also like, oh, that project you mentioned in the interview. That's really cool. Can you just tell me a little bit more about it? And and we've had really great conversations up to like three hours, you know, in conversations after an episode of that. So I think it's really good to look at doing your own podcast.

6:30 We're going to talk about that tomorrow. So don't forget to follow because you're going to want to hear tomorrow's episode. But let's be honest, like reaching out can be awkward. So let's make this practical. Here's what not to do. Hey, I'm looking for a job. Can you help me? Do not do that. Please do not do that, especially for people who are not in the position of hiring, right? And even if you're hiring some of that stuff, not the first thing you want to say. It puts pressure on someone who has no idea who you are. Instead, do this. First example, comment on their podcast. Comment on their post or something that they've put up. Find a post and say something thoughtful. It's like, hey, really interesting point about enforcement of MPAs. Let's just say I hadn't thought about how staffing levels impact outcomes that directly.

7:15 Now they've seen your name. They're going to look especially if not a lot of people are commenting on it. Even if they are just comment, you'll get there and if you start doing it enough and you have valuable comments, people are like that person's insightful. I'm going to keep my eye out on that person. Not stay for a job, but they're just like, oh, this person asked really insightful questions. Then of course, is the follow up message. You can say like, hey, I saw your post on MPA enforcement. Really appreciated the perspective. I'm trying to learn more about this space. Any resources you'd recommend. So not, hey, can you, can I talk to you? No, it's any resources you recommend. You're not asking for a job. You're starting a conversation by asking a question of just like, do you have any more resources about this space? Because they might have more papers or they might be part of an organization that deals with MPAs, all that kind of stuff, right?

7:59 And then there's example three. We're looking at podcast angle. So we talked a little bit about this, but you get to reach out to people say, hey, I run a podcast on ocean conservation and I'd love to highlight your work. Would you be open to do a short interview? This does three things. It gives them exposure, builds your network and position you as someone that's contributing, right? And that's powerful. That's really, really powerful. But here's the part that most people don't want to hear. Networking takes time. A lot of time in some cases, you don't send one message and then and get a job the next week. That's just not the way it works. What actually works is showing up consistently, engaging with people over time, sharing what you've learned and be useful.

8:45 Then one day an opportunity comes up and someone says, I know exactly who I should talk to. That's how people get jobs in this field. Not by applying, but by being known. If you're going to take one thing from this episode, let it be this. Start one conversation this week. Just one. Not to get a job, just to be known. Because in ocean conservation, your network isn't optional. It's a pathway. Here's the real thing of this is this is good. Each relationship will take time. So you can start multiple relations, but you don't want to bombard them with comments on every post that they've made. You want to look at their posts. You want to observe how they're posting. You want to observe how they act maybe digitally or even in, you know, at a conference.

9:33 And when you have you commented a couple of times on his post over the next couple of months and then you meet that person at a conference, you can say, oh, hey, like I know you. Sorry, my name is Andrew. I've seen what you've been posting on LinkedIn. I've commented a few times. I'm not sure if you remember who I am. This is what I do. Right? That is something that's really big. Another thing that I didn't mention that I'll mention now is when you're going to a conference, practice your 30 second elevator speech. That's like crucial. Right? Because everything you do, whenever you like, whenever you are introduced to someone or you introduce yourself to someone, you have to say what they do. There will be like an awkward pause. They'll look at you and like, what do you do? Before they even say that, like, hey, my name is Andrew Lewin. I am a podcast. I run. I run a podcast for how to protect the ocean podcast.

10:16 I've been running it for 11 years and I've displayed, you know, I talked to people who I think are doing really cool things on ocean conservation and science so that other people can get that same resource act as a resource. It's not policy. It's been a while since I've done it. But every time I go to a conference, I practice it in the mirror or I just practice it as I'm walking up because the more you say it, the better it comes out, the more natural comes out. You're not pulling for work just like I was before. So it's never perfect. It doesn't matter if it's perfect or not. But as long as they know who you are and what you do, that is the best thing that you can do. So practice that every single time you're about to go to a conference or you're about to go to a place where you're going to meet people. If you found this episode helpful, please share it with someone that is trying to break into this field and is having trouble getting a job.

11:01 And I think that's really important because, you know, we need to help as many people as possible get into this, get into this field, whether you're a scientist, whether you're an ocean conservationist, whether you're specialized in some kind of field. There's so many fields out there. There's so many ways that you can contribute to ocean conservation, whether it be through science or business or anything like that. But the idea is to meet people to network and to grow that network out so that eventually one day, hopefully it'll help you in the future. So thank you so much for joining me on today's episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast. If you have a question or comment, you can reach me. If you speak up for blue.com forward slash feedback, that's speak up for blue.com forward slash feedback links in the show.

11:41 And of course, if you're on Spotify, just hit a comment and I will get back to you. I want to thank you so much for joining me on today's episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast. I am your host, Andrew Lewin. Have a great day. We'll talk to you next time and happy conservation.