Most senior managers feel trapped in their job but find it difficult to move on because of a ‘glass wall’ which hinders their search for a new post, according to research by Theladders.co.uk.

The survey shows that three out of four senior managers feel "paralysed" in their hunt for a new job. They often complain of a lack of opportunity or poor understanding of the senior jobs market, the survey reveals.

Jim Hunter of TheLadders.co.uk says: "Only 20% of those executives surveyed felt in complete control of their careers.

"Yet decades of psychological research shows that a high degree of internal control is closely associated with successful career management and job satisfaction.

"Control is both a cause and consequence of career experiences, so glass walls in the form of real and perceived barriers could actually be undermining executives' sense of control."

The study found that one in 10 are worried that colleagues will find out if they start looking elsewhere for a new position.

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