The Hidden Job Market

Most senior roles are not found on job boards. They are found through conversations, quiet referrals, and trusted networks. This is the hidden job market, and it is where executive careers are really built. At this level, your network is no longer just a list of contacts. It becomes your reputation in motion, the people who can vouch for you, recommend you, and open doors you may not even know exist.

Applying online is often the slowest and least effective way to secure senior roles. Boards, CEOs, executive teams, and recruiters rely heavily on trusted voices who can say with confidence that someone will deliver. That is why networking is not about volume. It is about focus. A handful of high-value conversations with the right people can move you further than dozens of cold applications.

If you are serious about your next move, networking cannot be an afterthought. It is the primary strategy. By reconnecting with people who already know your leadership at its best, you create momentum that no job board can match.

Practical tip
Write down five people who have seen you perform at your best. Reach out to one this week with a genuine update and a clear sense of what you are exploring, rather than a request for a job.