#46 — How To Get Headhunted | Paul Quinn: “Most Advertised Roles Are Already Filled.”

What do the most successful people in their careers actually have in common? It's not luck — it's headhuntability. In this episode, Nicole Lee sits down with headhunter Paul Quinn to expose what really happens behind the scenes of hiring: why most advertised roles are already filled, why recruiters give your LinkedIn less than six seconds before deciding you're worth a second look, and why not every headhunter has your best interest at heart. Whether you're actively job hunting or thinking about how to progress in your career, this is a conversation about what it actually takes to be chosen.TIMESTAMPS00:00 — Introduction01:38 — How Paul Became A Headhunter04:09 — Is Today's Fear Around Job Security Justified?05:34 — Why Just Applying For Jobs Doesn't Work Anymore08:42 — He Applied To 1,000 Jobs And Got Nothing 10:07 — Recruiters Spend Less Than 6 Seconds On Your LinkedIn16:45 — How To Become "Headhuntable"19:50 — Why Most Advertised Role Are Already Filled21:57 — The Secret Power Of A Referral24:54 — How To Protect Your Confidentiality During A Job Search28:49 — Should You Stay Loyal To One Company, Or Move?34:20 — Does Being Unemployed Actually Hurt You?35:52 — How To Negotiate Salary Without Underselling Yourself40:44 — Do Career Breaks Really Hurt Your Career?44:49 — The One Thing That Rules Candidates Out Without Them Knowing48:18 — The One Trait Paul Sees In Every Successful Person49:01 — What Does "You Never Know" Mean To Paul?TODAY'S GUEST🌐 Company Page: https://westport-partners.com/🌐 Coaching: https://www.quinntessential-coaching.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio🌐 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulquinnofficial/🌐 Instagram: @paulquinnofficial🌐Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@QuinntessentialQuestionsCONNECT WITH ME🌐 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleleethisisme🌐 Instagram & TikTok: @nicoleleethisisme🌐 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@nicoleleethisisme🌐 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5uRGujeye6cPVvaIGsAt7p?si=91942ccd3c054c1e🌐 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/you-never-know-with-nicole-lee/id1789080795 🌐 Website: www.youneverknow.co🌐 Partnership & Speaking Enquiries: [email protected] WATCH NEXT► Patterns of Power: History, Geopolitics & Investing | Meng Keet WONG► Why Rich People Can Still Feel Poor | Kees Stoute► How To Get Promoted In Banking: Philip Kunz on Pay, Politics & Leadership💌 I'm Nicole Lee. I spent more than a decade in private banking, took a leap of faith into fintech, walked away without a job while navigating a defining life transition — and started the You Never Know Podcast to have real conversations that challenge the way we think, what we believe, and how we live. Today, I'm also a moderator, speaker, and podcast producer — partnering with visionary leaders and businesses to shape strategic narratives through authentic storytelling.