How to Access the Hidden Job Market: A Guide for Leaders

 Up to 80% of jobs are never publicly posted, especially at the Director and higher levels. These opportunities live in what's known as the hidden job market, and they're filled through referrals, internal promotions, and strategic networking.

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Companies save time and resources, and reduce risk by hiring people they already know or trust.

🧩 They promote from within or ask their team for internal referrals.
🧩 They avoid paying recruiting fees and reduce hiring friction.
🧩 They build roles around people who solve problems.

This means that by the time a role hits LinkedIn, it may be already filled.

Understanding how to access this hidden market is a game-changer for your job search.

We're not saying job boards are useless, but for senior leaders, they're often a trap:

⛔️ You're one of hundreds of applicants.
⛔️ You're limited by keywords and ATS filters.
⛔️ You're reacting to openings instead of creating opportunities.

You're essentially waiting to be chosen in a system designed to ignore nuance and leadership potential.

A Real Life Example

One of our clients, Myburgh, applied to a posted role and received a standard rejection email from the recruiter. He knew this was a good fit so instead of walking away, he reached out directly to the CEO with a clear value proposition.

That one email led to conversations with the right decision-makers. Within a month, he was hired for a role that hadn't been posted publicly—and he was the only person considered for it.

That's the hidden job market in action.

How to Access the Hidden Job Market

The good news is that the hidden job market isn't actually hidden. It's just offline.

Here are four practical steps to get inside:

1. Build Relationships Before There's a Job

Don't wait for a posting. Reach out to VPs, CTOs, and Directors with authentic curiosity:

👉 What’s their team focused on?
👉 What tech or systems are they exploring?
👉 What business challenges are they facing?

Then, connect the dots to how your experience and skills could help. This is how conversations turn into opportunities.

2. Target Companies, Not Just Roles

Many candidates only search for job titles. Instead, identify 10–20 companies that excite you and do your homework:

👉 Who might your future boss be?
👉 What is your potential team working on?
👉 Who's on the team?

Engage with them on LinkedIn, share value, and position yourself as someone who already thinks like a team member.

3. Conduct Informational Interviews

These low-pressure conversations give you insight and visibility:

👉 Ask smart, targeted questions about strategy, culture, and team direction.
👉 Share thoughtful perspectives from your own experience.
👉 Keep in touch with relevant updates and insights.

When a role opens, they'll think of you.

4. Lead with Value

Referrals don't happen just because you're available. Referrals happen because you're known and trusted.

Show up consistently by:

👉 Posting insights and lessons on LinkedIn.
👉 Sharing frameworks or industry commentary.
👉 Commenting on others' posts with depth.

This positions you as a credible thought leader even if you're between roles.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Let's talk about what not to do when trying to tap into the hidden job market.

❌ Waiting Until You're Unemployed
Relationships take time. If you only start networking when you're between jobs, you're behind. Build and nurture your network now so you're ready when it counts.

❌ Asking for Jobs Instead of Offering Value
When you message someone, don't ask, "Are you hiring?" Instead, share how you solve specific problems or add strategic value. Lead with what you offer, not what you need.

❌ Only Networking Inside Your Comfort Zone
Peers are great, but they often don't have hiring power. Make sure you're connecting with the decision-makers: hiring managers, department heads, and senior leadership.

Key Takeaways

The hidden job market holds the real opportunities for senior leaders. And the best part? You don't need to wait for a listing or an algorithm to find them.

You need a strategy that puts you in the right conversations with the right people.

Whether you're actively job searching or just thinking about your next move, these are the strategies top candidates are using right now.