The hidden job market: Why the best roles in AEC don’t always make it to job boards
- Alice Morton
- Jul 18
- 2 min read
If your job search strategy is “check job boards, apply, repeat”… you might be missing out on the really good stuff.
Not because the jobs aren’t out there, but because a lot of them never get posted in the first place. This is especially true in the AEC industry—architecture, engineering, and construction—where a huge number of roles get filled behind the scenes.
Some roles get filled before they ever go live
Hiring managers in construction, design, and engineering firms often go straight to specialist recruiters they trust. They want to see if there’s already someone in the pipeline before posting anything publicly.
They don’t always want to be flooded with resumes
Let’s be real, posting a job online can bring in hundreds of applications, most of them not quite right. So it makes sense that many AEC firms choose to work directly with niche recruiters who can deliver qualified, relevant people straight away.
So how do you actually tap into the hidden job market?
→ Connect with a specialist AEC recruiter
We spend all day speaking with firms across the US and hearing about hiring plans before they’re official. If we know what you're looking for, whether it’s your next construction role, an landscape architecture move, or a niche building performance job, we can flag things that never hit the job boards.
→ Be clear about what matters to you
Whether it’s project types, salary expectations, firm culture or location, the more specific you are, the easier it is for us to send you the right thing. We’ve got the inside track, but we’re not mind readers.
→ Be open to conversation
Some of the best opportunities in the AEC world don’t come wrapped in a perfect job title. Sometimes we’ll suggest having a chat with a firm that’s hiring quietly. If we’ve called you about it, chances are it’s worth your time.