How to Find Hidden Job Opportunities and Make Bold Career Moves

Ever wonder how some professionals land amazing roles that are never posted online? The truth is, most great jobs are filled through networks and strategy—not job boards.

In this episode of Thrive Careers Podcast, career coach Olajumoke Fatoki talks with Gina Riley, a career strategist who helps professionals at all levels find meaningful work through smarter job search tactics and personal branding.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to find hidden job opportunities before they’re public
• Ways to define and communicate your unique value
• The secret to building a personal brand that attracts employers
• How to network effectively—even if you’re not job hunting yet
• Strategies to prep for high-stakes interviews with confidence.

For anyone planning a career change, exploring new industries, or leveling up their role—this episode delivers real-world insights to help you stand out.

Resources & Connections:

• Learn more at GinaRileyConsulting.com
• Follow Gina Riley on LinkedIn
• Join the launch list for her book Qualified Isn’t Enough

Mentioned Reads:

• The 2-Hour Job Search by Steve Dalton
• Pay Up by Kate Dixon
• Executive Presence by Sylvia Ann Hewlett

Subscribe for weekly episodes on career transitions, job market trends, and strategies to grow with confidence.

#CareerGrowth #JobSearchTips #HiddenJobMarket #ProfessionalBranding #CareerClarity #ThriveCareersPodcast #thecareertransitionsecret

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to Executive Transitions
• 2:50 The Career Velocity Program
• 6:00 Crafting a Unique Value Proposition
• 8:52 Showcasing Personality in Interviews
• 12:01 Understanding the Hidden Job Market
• 14:53 The Role of Thought Leadership
• 17:58 Networking Strategies for Executives
• 21:04 Winning Job Offers: Preparation is Key
• 24:03 Final Thoughts and Rapid Fire Round

Transcript

Thrive Careers Podcast Episode: Executive Transitions — Unlock Hidden Opportunities & Land Your Next Role

Host: Olajumoke Fatoki
Guest: Gina Riley

Olajumoke Fatoki:
Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of the Thrive Careers Podcast, where we dive into impactful conversations to help you grow and thrive in your career.

Today, we're discussing a topic that’s crucial for executives and professionals alike — Executive Transitions: Unlocking Hidden Opportunities & Landing Your Next Role.

Whether you're an executive considering a career move or someone looking to elevate your job search strategy, this episode is packed with insights to guide you to success.

I’m beyond thrilled to welcome our guest, Gina Riley — a dynamic HR professional who stands at the intersection of career coaching, executive search, and interview skills training. As the creator of the Career Velocity™ Program, Gina has helped countless leaders navigate career transitions with confidence and clarity.

Gina, welcome to the show!

Gina Riley:
Thank you so much for having me! I’m really excited for this conversation.

Olajumoke Fatoki:
The pleasure is mine! I know our listeners will gain so much from your wealth of experience. Let’s jump right in.

Gina, tell us more about the Career Velocity™ Program — what inspired you to create it?

Gina Riley:
Absolutely. My background in corporate HR and executive search exposed me to the challenges executives face when navigating career transitions.

I spent 18 months researching — reading 20 books, listening to 120 podcasts — and noticed a recurring problem: highly capable leaders struggled to tell their story and position themselves effectively.

So, I created Career Velocity™ to address this. It’s a comprehensive framework:

1. Phase One: Develop your Unique Value Proposition (UVP).
2. Phase Two: Build your marketing tools — resume, LinkedIn, interview prep, and job search strategy.
3. Phase Three: Craft a thought leadership strategy to stay visible and relevant.

It’s designed to empower executives with a system they can use throughout their careers.

Olajumoke Fatoki:
I love that—turning challenges into solutions. Let’s dig deeper into crafting a successful transition plan. How should executives start this process?

Gina Riley:
It begins with truly understanding your Unique Value Proposition. It’s more than an elevator pitch — it's knowing your strengths, values, skills, leadership style, and career story.

I guide clients through identifying patterns in their careers, highlighting key achievements, and developing language that communicates not just what they do, but how they lead and deliver results.

This foundation helps executives confidently present themselves in interviews, networking conversations, and even within their current roles.

Olajumoke Fatoki:
That’s powerful. I’d love for you to expand on something you touched on — infusing personality into interviews. Many candidates focus so much on appearing perfect that they forget to bring their true selves to the table. How can professionals showcase their essence effectively?

Gina Riley:
Great question! Your personality and leadership approach are often the differentiators when technical skills are equal.

I always tell clients: decision-makers want to know how you solve problems, how you lead teams, and how you handle challenges. That "how" is rooted in your personality, strengths, and values.

You need to highlight those nuances in your stories — don’t just talk about what got done, share how you did it differently. That’s what makes you memorable.

Olajumoke Fatoki:
Exactly! It's those details that set candidates apart. Now, let’s shift to a topic that intrigues many — the hidden job market. How can professionals tap into these unadvertised opportunities?

Gina Riley:
First, understand that the hidden job market isn’t hiding from you — it's where roles are discussed internally before they're ever posted. Leadership teams often ask, “Who do we know?” before engaging recruiters or publishing job ads.

To stay visible, you must nurture your network consistently, not just when you're job hunting. Regular conversations, being active in your industry, and staying top-of-mind position you for these opportunities before they’re public knowledge.

Olajumoke Fatoki:
That leads perfectly into my next question — how do thought leadership and personal branding support this visibility?

Gina Riley:
They’re critical. You can’t be considered if no one knows what you stand for. Thought leadership doesn’t mean giving TED Talks — it’s about engaging in your professional community, sharing insights, participating in panels, or posting valuable content on platforms like LinkedIn.

Be strategic: know your audience, choose the right platform, and stay consistent. You never know who’s watching — I’ve had clients land roles because their quiet readers were decision-makers.

Olajumoke Fatoki:
That’s such an important reminder — visibility with purpose. Now, networking can feel overwhelming. What’s your advice for expanding a professional network and connecting with decision-makers effectively?

Gina Riley:
Start with a targeted approach. Create a list of companies and key people you’d like to engage. Reach out before you need something — build relationships organically.

Attend conferences, engage with thought leaders, comment on relevant content, and always personalize your outreach. It’s about adding value and being genuine, not transactional.

Olajumoke Fatoki:
Brilliant advice! Finally, let’s talk about winning the job offer. What strategies do top candidates use to secure that offer?

Gina Riley:
Preparation is everything. The most successful candidates are the most prepared in every room — whether it’s with recruiters, hiring managers, or boards.

Understand the company, anticipate their needs, and tailor your stories to show you're the solution they’re looking for. For executive roles, this can mean 40+ hours of prep across the interview process.

And remember—each stakeholder has different priorities. Read the room, adapt, and always position yourself as the candidate of choice.

Olajumoke Fatoki:
So true—preparation and strategy go hand in hand. Gina, this has been such an insightful conversation. But before we let you go, let’s jump into our rapid-fire round!

1️⃣ Best career advice you’ve ever received?
— Invest in yourself and take the steps necessary to open doors—credentials, mentorship, and action matter.

2️⃣ Book every executive should read?
— Steve Dalton’s The 2-Hour Job Search, Kate Dixon’s Pay Up, and Sylvia Ann Hewlett’s Executive Presence.

3️⃣ Fun fact about you?
— I’m a great scratch cook—I can whip up a meal from whatever’s in the fridge, no recipe needed!

Olajumoke Fatoki:
I love that! Gina, thank you so much for sharing your expertise, stories, and actionable strategies with us today.

For our listeners, be sure to connect with Gina on LinkedIn and check out her upcoming book, Qualified Isn’t Enough.

Until next time, keep thriving!