How to Get Hired as a Community Manager Without Applying to a Single Job

When you apply for a job that is publicly advertised, you are instantly competing against 200, 300, or even 500 other people. You are thrown into a massive pile of competition.

Worse than that, the company has already decided exactly what they are looking for and what you are worth. You have absolutely no leverage and no control.

But here is the truth: the best community manager roles aren't always publicly advertised.

(Note: Don't completely disregard applying to regular roles—keep doing that too! But add this strategy to your toolkit, and you'll be leaps and bounds ahead of the competition.)

Here is the 3-step framework to making it happen.

Step 1: Identify the Right Company

First, you need to identify a company that would clearly benefit from a community. You want to find a brand where you feel you can legitimately provide value.

Stop looking at job descriptions and start looking at the products and services you already use and love. For example, maybe there is a smaller laundry detergent brand you adore that has a cult following, that is a perfect target to approach and ask, "Have you considered building a community?".

Delve deep. Think about products you use every day, or even research brands you've heard of, and identify where the golden opportunities lie.

Step 2: Reach Out the Right Way

This is where most people get it completely wrong.

They reach out sounding like a desperate salesperson: "Hi, here is my CV, please hire me.". Why would a company hire you if they don't even know who you are?. No one likes being sold to.

The secret to outreach is coming across as genuinely helpful, not "salesy". You should position yourself as someone interested in what they do, who is simply offering valuable feedback. You are not begging, and you are not pitching your services at this stage. Get the idea of "getting a job" out of your head for a moment, your only goal right now is to help them.

Step 3: Convert the Conversation

If you get a positive response and manage to jump on a live chat or call with them, congratulations! Now, you need to guide the conversation to convert their interest into an actual opportunity.

Remember: This is not an interview; it's a conversation. You need to lead the chat while leaving plenty of room for their ideas and thoughts. Your goal is to take someone who might be sceptical about having a community and prove two things (without sounding like a salesperson):

1. They need a community.
2. They need you to run that community.

If you can successfully convert their mindset, that conversation will turn into an opportunity, whether that is a full-time role, part-time employment, or a freelance contract.

Take Charge of Your Career

This approach is how you get paid what you want, get valued in your role, and finally take charge of your career trajectory.

I know this sounds amazing, but you might be wondering exactly how to execute these steps. It is a skill that takes time to learn.

Why Aren’t you Getting Community Manager Roles?

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💬 And if your serious about securing the role you want, apply now.