Australians—we’re known around the world for being a pretty friendly bunch. And who could blame us? Great weather (usually), beautiful beaches, and a fairly healthy approach to work/life balance means we don’t have much to complain about.

So when it comes to the employment game? It turns out we’re just as affable finding our friend a job as we are meeting them for a beer down at the pub.

This is what we recruiters call the ‘mates market’, and it’s still one of our favourite ways to match talent to their dream job.

What does the ‘mates market’ look like today?

Ahhh, the friend-driven job market. A place where connections are crucial and the beers are optional. With this approach to job-hunting, socializing becomes a hiring prerequisite, and friends are your primary source of employment.

Today 60 to 80 per cent of all jobs in Australia are secured through the ‘mates market’ (also known as the ‘hidden jobs market’), which could look like a direct offer, a referral or a recommendation from a friend.

So if you want to meet great like-minded professionals and build your professional network, it turns out you’re going to have to socialise like it’s your job. Or your job depends on it, because it very well may!

Here are five reasons why embracing Australia’s ‘Mates Market’ really matters:

Those people you meet at the bar/hiking group/rowing club? They’re not just connections, they’re the potential key to your next position.

Whether you like to save numbers in your ‘notes’ app, add people on social media, or even go old-school and add people to your phone contacts, having a strong network of contacts will make or break your job search. And while it's always important to be respectful of your new contacts' time and energy and not be too pushy, many people respect someone willing to go out of their way to make a call to cement a connection. Potential employers especially. However, if the phone feels too personal, why not ask for people’s email? Then you can send your CV along with that ‘it was nice to meet you’ email.

It gives you an opportunity to showcase your strengths and skills in person.

Make the ‘mates market’ work for you by attending networking events and social gatherings where you know there will be people with hiring power such as conferences, charity events, alumni gatherings, networking events, and industry conferences. And once you get there, have a short ‘elevator pitch’ or spiel of your expertise and success stories.

It gives you leverage when negotiating pay and benefits.

You know the old saying, ‘if you don’t ask, you don’t get?’ Well, it’s a heck of a lot easier to ask in a more casual and relaxed setting than in an office. Over a coffee, you can ask for what you deserve and negotiate your salary or benefits package in a way that feels approachable. Just make sure you get any agreements in writing!

It allows you to make small talk that will help you determine if the job is a good fit for you.

Sure, we all want to be chosen as the perfect candidate but what about clarifying if that role is 100% perfect for you? Avoid getting the wrong job by using the mates market to make small talk and help you determine if the company culture, management or benefits match the type of employee you are.

It positions you as an expert, which can pay off later in your career.

It’s one thing to know your job well. However, it’s another thing to have a group of people vouch for your skills. This is where the ‘mates market’ can act as the final linchpin in securing your next role. By giving away some knowledge and expertise to friends in an informal way, you are subtly establishing yourself as a key leader in your industry and as a trusted resource.

In conclusion…

If you want to shake up your job situation, the fastest way to do it is by getting out there, socialising and putting the ‘feelers’ out there.

At best you’ll land the role of your dreams. At worst? You’ll, build a professional network, showcase your strengths and skills, negotiate pay and benefits, and determine if a job is a good fit.

And, heck, you might even make a few new friends in the process.