Opening the Door to the Hidden Job Market

The role of a recruiter appears simple at first glance: we find candidates to fill our clients’ roles.

However, much of our work is invisible, focused on roles that don’t get publicly advertised.

So, next time you find yourself fruitlessly scrolling job boards, remember this: those roles are just the tip of the iceberg.

The Job Market is More Active Than You Think

Recruitment is often discreet, particularly in the legal sphere. Roles are floated internally and confidentially. Hiring managers make discreet inquiries to solicitors they’ve had their eye on. Firms want a specific skill set, certain backgrounds, or niche specialisms, but they don’t always want to broadcast their wants and needs to the world.

Enter: a recruiter. They’ll scan their database of people and conduct a search, reaching out only to the very few that match the brief to a T.

The goal is to fill a vacancy before an advert is even needed.

Where does that leave you?

Visibility Isn’t Just About Roles—It’s About Relationships

Many of the best opportunities never make it to a job board for numerous reasons. This could include a hiring manager who wants to quietly test the market, a team that hasn’t had their new role signed off, a sensitive replacement of someone who hasn’t yet left the company, or even a firm that’s not looking unless the right person comes along.

These conversations are never made public, but they do happen with us.

Because when clients know we cultivate longstanding relationships, they ask us to present them with candidates for vacancies that often don’t exist yet. That level of access only comes with deep market knowledge and long-established trust—something our legal desk at Harvey John has built with years of successful placements.

Why should visibility matter to you?

Visibility isn’t simply about the roles you see; it’s about ensuring you are visible in the right places.

Speaking with a specialist recruiter—one who is respected, well-connected, and genuinely embedded in the legal market—gives you access to:

• Opportunities that aren’t advertised
  
• Insight into what departments will need in the future, not just today
  
• Advice on how your profile is perceived in the market
  
• Guidance on where you’re competitive—and where you could be more strategic
• Introductions that aren’t available through traditional application routes

Ultimately, what matters is that you’re placing yourself in the best position to achieve your dream career move.

If you want real visibility into your market, talk to someone with a backstage pass.

At Harvey John, we pride ourselves on long-term relationships with both our clients and our candidates. Placements aren’t transactional to us; they indicate the first step in a long partnership, full of different doors to be opened along the way.

With today’s job market as competitive as ever, it’s never been more important to trust your recruiter. If they trust you, they’ll share with you all of the relevant roles—not just the ones that make it to LinkedIn.

So, how does one access this hidden job market?

Whether you’re considering a move, quietly exploring options, or simply wanting to know what the next step could look like, the most valuable opportunity you can give yourself is a conversation.

Get in touch with the Harvey John team here for more unique insights.