The hidden job market is growing
The next move doesn't start on a job board
For a lot of senior professionals, the next move doesn't start on a job board, it starts with a conversation.
As hiring gets more selective, more leadership and specialist roles are being filled through networks, referrals and trusted recruiters before they're ever advertised. The opportunities haven't dried up, the way you reach them has changed.
Why so many roles never get advertised
Senior hires carry risk, so employers often sound out people they trust before running a public search. Sometimes a role is confidential. Sometimes a business wants to test the market quietly, or move fast once it has spotted the right person. Either way, plenty of the most interesting roles never make it to LinkedIn.
The numbers get exaggerated. The much-quoted claim that "70–80% of jobs are never advertised" is hard to trace to any real research. What does hold up is the strength of the quieter routes: 88% of companies still name referrals as their top source of quality hires, and referred candidates tend to be hired far faster than applicants from any other channel. With the UK market more competitive than at any point since 2019, those routes matter more, not less.
How to be on the radar
Build relationships before you need them: The best time to talk to recruiters, peers and former colleagues is when you're not looking. A strong network gives you options; a thin one leaves you reliant on applications.
Be visible in your field: You don't need to post every day. An up-to-date LinkedIn profile, the odd comment on an industry debate and the occasional panel are enough to keep you in mind. People can't consider you if they don't know you exist.
Use specialist recruiters: A good one does more than fill a vacancy. They share market intelligence, flag roles you'd never see advertised, and tell you honestly how you're positioned. A recruiter who knows your discipline can open doors a cold application can't.
Stay open to a conversation: You don't have to be job-hunting to take a call, gauge your value or get a read on the market. Some of the strongest moves start exactly there.
What it comes down to
At a senior level, your next role is less about applications and more about being connected, visible and well-informed. Build those relationships before you need them and you'll have done some of the most useful career work there is.
The strongest career moves start with a conversation. Whether you're actively exploring new opportunities or simply keeping an eye on the market, our specialist Partners are here to help.
