80% of executive positions are never advertised: What does this mean for your next career move?

You can spend weeks polishing your CV and browsing job boards for senior roles, only to hear nothing back from employers. 

That's rarely a sign the market is against you — more often, it means you're searching in the wrong place. The best executive roles aren't always where you'd expect to find them 

A lot of executive jobs are in the hidden job market. Jobs that exist but have not yet been advertised; they may already be filled through internal referrals or personal networks before a job listing is ever published. 

The widely-known phrase that states that 80% of executive jobs are never advertised does not really represent a measuring instrument in the field. However, the general idea makes much more sense: people get the job because of their connections, reputation, communication, etc. 

That changes how you approach your next move. 

What exactly does 'the hidden job market for executives' mean? 

The 'hidden job market' relates to jobs that are not advertised or poorly advertised. 

In the case of senior positions, this could happen for a number of reasons: 

• the firm may have someone in mind already 

• it could prefer some confidentiality regarding a replacement 

• it might be gauging the market before creating the position 

• it may be relying on someone’s recommendation. 

This means that an executive job search should not rely solely on the Jobs function on LinkedIn or traditional job search platforms. 

It sometimes happens that the job exists before its description does. 

Why LinkedIn networking matters more at senior level 

At earlier career stages, submitting an application may be enough to get into a recruitment process. At executive level, your professional reputation can carry considerably more weight. 

That makes LinkedIn networking more than simply adding connections. 

The aim is to build genuine professional relationships with people who understand your expertise, sector and ambitions. 

Instead of sending dozens of messages saying, “I am looking for a new opportunity,” start conversations around something relevant to their work. 

For example: 

“I noticed your team is expanding into the UK market. I have worked through a similar growth phase and found that talent planning became a major challenge. Happy to share what worked for us if useful.” 

That opens a conversation without immediately asking for a job. 

How do you find unadvertised jobs? 

Start by identifying the organisations where you would genuinely want to work. 

Then look beyond vacancies. 

1. Establish a target-company list 

Find firms that can benefit from your skillset and expertise. Keep in contact with their leaders to learn about the latest developments and recruitment. 

2. Find key decision-makers of these firms 

Instead of concentrating solely on recruitment officers, reach out to hiring managers, department heads, board members and other professionals holding important positions in the target companies. 

3. Reach out to old contacts 

Former subordinates and clients may learn of a vacancy long before it is advertised. 

Write a simple note saying: 

“Hello. It has been a long time. I have been following your work in X and would like to reconnect with you. What is new?” 

No pitching, no CV. Just talk to a business acquaintance. 

4. Look out for signals 

New contract, merger, or change in management may lead to openings. One must understand that there might be a vacancy that has not appeared in the job advertisement yet. 

Should you stop applying for jobs that were advertised? 

No. 

A strong executive job search should combine advertised opportunities with relationship-led approaches. Continue applying where there is a genuine fit, but dedicate time each week to networking, reconnecting and researching organisations. 

Think of it as two pipelines: visible opportunities and emerging opportunities. 

For professionals planning a significant move, a career transition program can also provide a more structured approach to networking, positioning and identifying relevant opportunities. 

The second pipeline is where LinkedIn networking can become particularly valuable. 

So, What Should You Actually Do Differently? 

It means your CV is only one part of your professional positioning. 

If the right opportunity appeared tomorrow, would the people who matter know what you are good at? 

That is the uncomfortable question. 

Your LinkedIn profile should clearly communicate your leadership strengths, specialist expertise and measurable impact. Your network should also reflect the direction you want to move in. 

You do not need hundreds of thousands of connections. 

You need the right conversations with the right people at the right time. 

The hidden job market is not a secret list of jobs waiting to be discovered. It is a network of opportunities that often becomes visible through relationships. 

Start building those relationships before you need them. By the time a role is publicly advertised, someone else may already have had the conversation that puts them first in line. 

At nxtjobai, we help senior professionals position their profile, expand the right connections, and get in front of decision-makers before roles are ever advertised. Explore how nxtjobai can support your next move.