Hunters for the ‘hidden jobs market’ may need a guide - The Times
In The Times today, Suzie shared that while competition remains intense, particularly at junior and mid-management level, we’ve seen a 150% rise in C-suite mandates since the start of the year. Leaders with strong commercial capability and AI fluency are often receiving multiple offers, signalling real momentum at the top end of the market.
However, the most important insight is this: around 80% of senior opportunities never reach a jobs board. The “hidden jobs market” is real. The majority of successful executive placements happen through headhunters, trusted relationships and private conversations, not through volume applications. At this level, five strategic discussions are worth far more than fifty generic CV submissions.
For senior candidates, clarity is critical. Be explicit about your value proposition, demonstrate measurable impact, and treat conversations with recruiters as long-term partnerships rather than transactions. In today’s market, the leaders who secure exceptional roles are those who position themselves strategically, not those who simply apply more widely.
You can read the full article here: Hunters for the ‘hidden jobs market’ may need a guide or on page 48 in the printed version.
Suzie Walker Executive Search is a specialist headhunting firm dedicated to finding exceptional interim and permanent senior marketing, digital, and technology leaders for both B2C and B2B organisations. We partner with FTSE 350 and private equity–backed companies, recruiting for roles at Head, Director and Chief (C-suite) level.
