I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this one:
“Why do I never see the good jobs online?”
It usually comes from a frustrated candidate who’s been grinding through job boards for weeks. They’ve sent out 50 applications, maybe got one automated response, and they’re starting to wonder if the whole system’s broken.
And honestly? I get it. Because some of the best roles out there — the ones that actually change careers, not just titles — never hit the internet. They move quietly. Through conversations, referrals, and a handful of emails between people who already trust each other.
I used to think that was unfair. Now, after years in recruiting, I get why it happens.
The Real Work Starts Before the Job Exists
People assume hiring starts with a job post. It doesn’t.
It starts with a phone call that begins with something like, “We might need someone who can help us scale, but we’re still figuring out what that looks like.”
That’s the real beginning.
The company isn’t ready to post anything yet because, honestly, they don’t even know what they’re hiring for. They’re still talking through responsibilities, budget, reporting lines — all the stuff that can’t go public yet.
So they call someone like me.
And those are the roles candidates never see online — because by the time they’re defined, we’ve already found the person who fits.
I had a client once who told me, “If we post this role, half the company’s going to panic. Let’s keep it quiet.”
And we did. Within a few weeks, they had the perfect hire. No job board needed.
The best opportunities start as problems that haven’t been advertised yet.
Job Boards Are Loud and Blind
Let’s be honest — job boards are chaos.
You post a role on LinkedIn or Indeed, and your inbox explodes.
You’ll get hundreds of resumes. Maybe a few are solid. But most? Total mismatches.
You spend hours sorting, responding, coordinating interviews that go nowhere.
Meanwhile, the real candidates — the ones already performing well somewhere else — aren’t even on those sites. They’re working. They’re busy. They’re not refreshing job boards; they’re just open to a conversation if the right one comes along.
That’s the game recruiters actually play — finding the people who aren’t looking, but should be.
And funny enough, that’s where most of the “unposted” jobs live. In that quiet middle space between looking and ready to move.
The Hidden Job Market Isn’t a Myth
People roll their eyes when they hear “hidden job market.” But I’ve seen it up close for years.
I’d guess at least half the placements we make at AKA Search Group never go public. Sometimes it’s confidential — maybe a company’s replacing someone in leadership. Sometimes it’s sensitive — a new division, a restructuring, or a planned expansion they’re not ready to announce yet.
But most of the time, it’s just faster this way.
Posting a role online can take weeks. Filtering through bad resumes takes longer. Then scheduling, screening, waiting. Meanwhile, a recruiter can pick up the phone, call three people, and get it done in ten days.
I had one client — a real estate investment firm — who told me, “We’ve been posting this role for six months. Can you just find us someone already?” Two weeks later, they had their person.
No post. No chaos. Just precision.
That’s the hidden job market. It’s not shady — it’s efficient.
Candidates Lose Out When They Wait
Here’s the part that hurts to admit — a lot of job seekers miss great opportunities because they only apply to what’s posted.
They’ll see a few listings, send their resumes, then wait for someone to call. But by the time that “perfect” job shows up online, chances are, interviews are already happening behind the scenes.
That’s the part nobody tells you.
If you’re serious about career growth, you’ve got to get ahead of the posting. Stay in touch with recruiters. Update your profile. Let people know you’re open. Because when the right job opens — quietly — you want to be on the shortlist before anyone else even knows it exists.
One of my favorite placements happened because of that exact thing.
A candidate had reached out months before, just to introduce herself. No specific role in mind. When a position came across my desk that fit her background, she was the first person I called. She got the job.
It wasn’t luck. It was visibility.
Companies Get This Wrong Too
Now, to be fair, employers mess this up as well.
They wait too long to start recruiting. They panic-post the job online when their team’s already stretched thin. Then they wonder why it’s so hard to find the right person.
It’s not the job market — it’s timing.
The best companies don’t start searching when they’re desperate. They plan ahead. They keep relationships warm with trusted recruiters, stay in touch with strong performers, and maintain awareness of great talent even before roles open up.
That’s why they never need to post their best jobs.
They already know who to call.
And to be honest, that’s how it should be. Because great hiring isn’t reactive. It’s built on trust and timing — not panic and posts.
It’s Not About Hiding. It’s About Protecting.
People sometimes think companies keep jobs private to be sneaky.
No — they do it to protect what they’ve built.
When a role is important — leadership, strategy, something that affects morale — posting it too early can send the wrong message internally. Or it might attract the wrong kind of attention from competitors.
So they handle it quietly, carefully. That’s not shady. That’s smart.
I’ve been part of those searches where one wrong leak could cause problems. So we move quietly, professionally, until the timing’s right. Then, once it’s done, the company announces the hire with confidence.
That’s not hiding. That’s being intentional.
What It Really Comes Down To
After all these years in recruiting, I’ve realized this — the best jobs aren’t found through applications. They’re found through relationships.
The companies that hire well don’t rely on job boards. They rely on people who understand their business.
And the candidates who get hired fastest aren’t the ones applying everywhere. They’re the ones who stay engaged — visible in their networks, open to new ideas, and connected to the right people.
So if your job search feels stuck, take a break from scrolling.
Reach out. Reconnect. Start a real conversation.
Because the truth is, the best opportunities aren’t broadcast — they’re shared.
