James Schofield, Business Solutions Director at The Protocol Group, reveals the secret behind getting ahead of many of these ‘hidden’ roles.
Whether it’s a senior leadership position or a specialist role in education, numerous high-quality jobs are filled before they ever appear on popular job boards like Indeed, Glassdoor, or LinkedIn. These roles are often filled through personal referrals, internal networks, or trusted recruitment partners – all part of what’s known as the ‘hidden job market’.
But why are some positions kept off the radar, and what does this mean for job seekers?
For employers, posting job openings can be a time-consuming and costly process. From drafting job descriptions to managing applications, many organisations prefer to fill certain positions through established networks or by working with recruitment professionals who have a deep understanding of the sector. This approach not only saves time but also allows companies to find candidates who may not be actively looking or who would not be reached through traditional advertising.
It is often recruitment agencies with local expertise that offer job seekers access to these unadvertised opportunities. This is particularly true in the education sector, where employers often rely on trusted networks to fill roles quickly. These positions can come with better pay, more flexible hours, or part-time options that might not be widely available through public job listings.
One of the key benefits of working with a recruitment partner is gaining early access to roles before they are publicly posted. This enables job seekers to focus on opportunities that are a better match for their skills and preferences, rather than wading through large numbers of listings that may not align with their goals.
Moreover, some recruitment companies offer additional support, such as interview preparation, CPD (Continuous Professional Development), and help with DBS checks, which can make the job application process smoother and more tailored to an individual’s needs.
While many people still turn to job boards in search of new opportunities, many are increasingly struggling to find job postings that suit their needs, making the benefits of partnering with a recruitment expert even more glaring.
By tapping into the right networks through these partnerships, job seekers can uncover opportunities that are not available on mainstream platforms, putting an end to the frustration of unfruitful job searches.
About The Protocol Group
The Protocol Group is as a leading recruitment provider with over 29 years of experience in the field. The Group encompasses three businesses Bookmark, eSafeguarding and Amplify, with each being a leading specialist in the education, recruitment and recruitment compliance sectors.
Many of the roles we fill are never advertised, which is why our clients trust us to connect them with the right candidates. The hidden job market can offer opportunities that better match an individual’s experience and aspirations - by working closely with job seekers, we’re able to bring opportunities to the table that might otherwise remain off the radar.
