Why Top Sales Leaders Aren’t on Job Boards—And How to Hire Them Anyway

Key Insights

• Less than 10% of executive-level jobs are landed through job boards. (Jobscan)  

• Top sales leaders aren’t job hunting.  

• Executive job postings often signal to top talent a lower budget for the role. 

• Passive talent is a competitive advantage you can’t afford to ignore. 

• Working with BrainWorks means tapping pre-vetted, high-performing talent.  

If you’re wondering why your open VP of Sales role isn’t attracting the quality of executives you expected, the answer is simple: the people you want to hire aren’t scrolling job boards. In fact, less than 10% of executive-level jobs are filled through postings according to Executive Job Search Strategist Meg Giusseppi. The people you’re looking for are already out there making things happen—growing teams, driving revenue, and building something successful.  

As a recruiter who works exclusively with sales and marketing leaders, Kelly Maslow hears it every day: the best candidates don’t look for jobs the way most people do. They’re not uploading resumes to job portals or applying through ATS systems. Why? Because they don’t need to—and they know better.  

Top Talent Doesn’t Waste Time with Job Boards 

Let’s be honest, when a sales leader is crushing their quota and leading a team to record-breaking performance, they’re not spending their time refreshing a LinkedIn job search. They’re busy, efficient professionals. If they’re thinking about making a change, they go straight to their most trusted source—their network. You wouldn’t try to land a six-figure deal by cold-emailing a brochure. So why would you hire like that?  

The top sales leaders are cashing in. They’re earning massive commissions, building pipelines, closing enterprise deals—and getting paid. These professionals are making real money, not wasting time scrolling job boards.  

They’ll call a fellow executive, a former boss, or a recruiter they’ve built a relationship with. If they’ve had an unexpected exit due to a sale or restructuring, they often have a severance cushion and the confidence to wait for the right opportunity, not just any opportunity. The last thing they’ll do is apply to a generic listing where they risk getting lost in a sea of resumes.  

What hiring managers don’t always realize is that posting a high-level sales role on a job board can send the wrong message. To top executives, it can signal that your company isn’t invested in hiring the best, especially if it’s a critical leadership role.  

The Difference Between Applicants and Passive Talent

There’s a difference between someone applying cold and someone who’s been hand-picked by an executive recruiter. When recruiters introduce a candidate to a client, it’s because they’ve identified a very specific alignment between what the company needs and what that leader brings to the table—often down to industry, playbook, and leadership experience.  

In our world, great recruiters and great executives have one major thing in common: they’ve invested in strong networks. That means when we take on a search, we’re often not starting from scratch. We’re picking up the phone and calling the people we already know and connecting them with your organization.  

When you work with an executive search firm like BrainWorks, you get a curated introduction to someone who has already demonstrated excellence. These candidates aren’t looking—they’re already succeeding.  

Why Passive Talent Matters in Sales Leadership

In sales, the results speak louder than resumes. The leaders who consistently exceed targets aren’t actively applying—they’re being pursued. Reaching these professionals takes more than a job post; it takes a compelling opportunity and a trusted intermediary.  

That’s where the right recruiter makes all the difference. Top sales leaders don’t respond to disorganized hiring processes or faceless listings. They engage when the opportunity comes from someone credible—someone who understands their value and presents a role that’s worth their time. 

If you want someone who’s scaled revenue, built high-performing teams, and driven consistent growth, you need to meet them where they are: succeeding. Not searching.  

Why Work with BrainWorks 

At BrainWorks, we specialize in connecting companies with the sales and marketing leaders that make an impact from day one. Our recruiters bring decades of industry-specific experience, and our network runs deep—especially when it comes to passive, high-performing talent.  

Kelly Maslow and her BrainWorks’ Sales & Marketing Practice understand the unique pressure and responsibility of sales leadership roles. They know how to find the leaders who drive results, have the background necessary to make a difference, and shape culture. If you’re relying on job boards, you’re missing the leaders who can transform your business.  

If you’re in the market for a transformative sales leader, connect with Kelly Maslow to uncover the best top talent, most likely not the one that hit “send” on the job post.