Ever feel like you’re doing all the work but getting none of the recognition? Or maybe you’ve looked around and thought, “Wait—how did THEY get that role?” Yep. Same.
There’s a sneaky little strategy companies are using more and more lately—and it’s called quiet hiring. Sounds mysterious, right? Like a backdoor handshake deal in the corporate world. And honestly? It kind of is. But here’s the good news: if you play your cards right, you can totally use quiet hiring to your advantage and climb that ladder without even submitting a single application.
Let’s unpack this whole thing together. Coffee in hand? Good. Let’s roll.
So…What Is Quiet Hiring?
Quiet hiring is basically when your company fills roles without posting a job opening. Instead of looking outside, they slide someone already inside the company into the spot—often quietly, sometimes unofficially, and occasionally without a formal raise or new title right away.
Imagine this: your manager suddenly starts giving you more high-visibility projects. You’re looped into leadership meetings. You’re managing a team, even if no one formally announced you were promoted. That’s quiet hiring in action.
And while the term is new-ish, the practice? Not so much. It’s just that now, with layoffs and hiring freezes, companies are leaning on it harder than ever.
My Story: How I Got “Promoted” Without Knowing It
True story: a few years back, I was working in a digital agency. We had a rockstar creative director leave very suddenly. No job listing, no recruiter emails. Just… one day he was gone.
Next thing I know? I’m being asked to “step up for a bit,” just “temporarily,” they said.
Spoiler alert: there’s no such thing as temporary when you start outperforming expectations. Before I knew it, I was basically doing the job. People assumed I had been promoted. I had clients emailing me as if I were in charge. Was it ever officially announced? Nah. But eventually, I used it as leverage and got the real deal—title, raise, all of it.
That’s how quiet hiring works. It’s not always glamorous. It’s not always fair. But it is an opportunity if you know how to spot it—and work it.
Ryan Holiday Said It Best…
I remember reading something Ryan Holiday once wrote: “The obstacle is the way.”
And honestly? That’s the mindset that’ll get you promoted under-the-radar.
Because most people freak out when things go sideways. Someone quits, and everyone’s like “Oh no, we’re short-staffed!” But you? You see an open lane. A vacuum. A stage. You slide in—no spotlight needed.
Now let’s break this strategy down step-by-step.
1. Start Acting Like the Next-Level Version of You
Want to be seen as leadership material? Start acting like you already are.
No one’s going to hand you a bigger role if you’re just doing the bare minimum of your current one. But if you start owning cross-team projects, bringing solutions instead of problems, and showing strategic thinking—managers will notice.
This is the part where people usually say, “But I don’t want to do more without getting paid more!” And I get it. Trust me.
But here’s the deal: you don’t always get paid first—you prove first. Quiet hiring is about companies watching who steps up naturally. The good news? You don’t have to wait for anyone’s permission to start showing up bigger.
2. Know the Power Players (and Let Them Know You)
Let’s be real: your work should speak for itself, but sometimes it whispers. That’s why visibility matters.
If there are decision-makers who don’t really know what you do or how well you do it, it’s time to change that. Start offering value in meetings. Share wins in a humble, “Hey, just wanted to flag this!” kind of way.
And if someone leaves a position above you? Don’t just say “Wow, I wonder who they’ll hire.” Ask yourself: How can I fill that space—even unofficially—for now?
Because that’s when the power players start thinking of you as the solution. And once that happens? Game on.
3. Be the Person Who Makes Other People’s Jobs Easier
This might sound obvious, but it’s a superpower. In every organization, there are people who create friction… and people who clear the path.
Want to get quietly promoted? Become indispensable.
- Learn your boss’s priorities so you can anticipate their needs.
- Take initiative without always being told.
- Be the one who calms fires instead of starting them.
People who make life easier? They don’t get left behind. They get moved up—even if no job ever opens on the website.
4. Build Your Personal Brand (Yes, Even at Work)
We usually think of personal branding as something you do on LinkedIn or Instagram. But it starts inside your office (or Slack, or Zoom… you get it).
What are you known for? Are you the “get-it-done” person? The creative problem solver? The calm during chaos?
Shape your reputation deliberately. The goal is for someone to say, “You know who would be great for this?” and your name immediately comes to mind.
Bonus: when you do end up applying for a role down the line, it won’t feel like a cold ask. It’ll feel like the obvious next step.
5. Document Your Wins (Like a Boss)
This one is so simple, and yet 95% of people don’t do it. Start keeping a brag folder.
Every time you:
- Get a shoutout
- Lead a successful project
- Save the day
- Hit (or beat) a KPI
Drop it in. Screenshots. Emails. Slack messages. Whatever.
Not only does this help you build confidence, but when it’s time to ask for that promotion—or negotiate that title upgrade—you’re not just saying “I deserve it.” You’re proving it.
Let’s Get Real For a Sec…
Quiet hiring isn’t perfect. It can lead to people being overloaded with extra work, without formal acknowledgment. It can be frustrating AF.
But you know what’s worse? Waiting around for someone to notice you while staying stuck in the same role year after year.
Instead, take the reins. Use this trend to your advantage. Step into the spotlight, even if no one rolled out a red carpet for you. You build the stage. You shine the light.
TL;DR – Your Quiet Promotion Game Plan:
- Show up like the next-level version of you.
- Be visible to the people who matter.
- Make life easier for everyone around you.
- Build your internal brand.
- Track your wins like it’s your job (because it kind of is).
Final Thoughts (A.K.A. The Pep Talk You Didn’t Ask For but Definitely Need)
You don’t need a posted job to get promoted.
You don’t need a fancy title to start leveling up.
You don’t need permission to start acting like a leader.
Quiet hiring might sound like a corporate trick, but for those of us who know how to play the game, it’s an opportunity disguised as a challenge.
So don’t wait for your manager to tap you on the shoulder. Tap yourself. Then walk right through that invisible door and own your next chapter.