Hiring the right people the first time around can save you money and headaches!

If your business strategy for 2025 includes any type of growth in company personnel, you’ll want to make sure you have a tried-and-true plan to bring on the right people. Hiring is more than just filling a position; it’s about finding the right people who will help your business grow. Hiring the wrong candidate can be costly for both parties in terms of time and effort. 

As people who work day in and day out to find the next candidate for our clients, we’ve been in the hiring business for over 20 years. That is to say, we know a little bit about hiring. If a client were to ask, “What can I do to improve our hiring strategy to better my company?” we’d probably respond with these actionable strategies to help you plan, attract, and retain top talent. 

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‍Plan Ahead

It’s January right now, so it’s a little late to plan for Q1 of 2025. But not for 2026. Start by thinking further ahead so you have the margin to create, market, review, interview, and train the new people you need to bring on. Envision what your team needs for future success. Are you aiming for 20% growth next year? What roles will be critical to achieving that? Succession planning and creating detailed job descriptions are essential steps. While Syndeo doesn’t handle operational planning, our outsourcing division specializes in crafting job descriptions and recruitment strategies tailored to your goals.

Write Job Ads That Sell

A common mistake is confusing job descriptions with job ads. Never post your job description online, as they primarily focus on your company's needs. A job ad, on the other hand, should be a compelling sales pitch highlighting your culture, benefits, and opportunities for growth. Be honest about your offering, and choose your wording carefully and purposefully. It is better to underpromise and overdeliver as you are building rapport with potential employees. If you claim flexibility, for example, deliver on it with options like hybrid work or varied schedules. 

Also, don’t be afraid to address the salary right off the bat. No need to waste precious time—yours or theirs—if you aren’t going to be able to meet the candidate’s salary expectations. Transparency shows that you respect the candidate’s time and builds trust. Over time, a reputation for integrity will attract the right candidates. Honest job ads and transparent salary discussions prevent “catfishing” candidates, ensuring they feel secure and valued.

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Build Trust in Your Culture

Make sure that your job ads accurately reflect your company’s culture, values, and brand. For example, many companies claim to be flexible in principle, but in practice, their flexibility is rigid and restrictive. Allowing your employees to go to the doctor once in a while doesn’t count as flexible. Providing employees with flexible scheduling options, such as working 7-4 instead of 8-5 or 9-6, if applicable, does. Being upfront during recruitment about your company’s values and expectations is essential for building trust and reinforcing your workplace culture.‍

Offer Competitive Pay and Benefits

Pay rates remain a key factor in recruitment. Lower wages can lead to high turnover, undermining your hiring process and sabotaging your business growth. Competitive pay combined with benefits like PTO and flexibility attracts and retains top talent you need to grow. Regular wage analyses can help you keep a pulse on fair market rates and stay competitive in your industry. Ask your Syndeo HR Business Partner how they can help you evaluate your pay rates.‍

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Leverage Referrals

Referrals are a powerful hiring tool, with nearly a 50% retention rate for referred employees as compared to 22% when hired using traditional job boards. Incentive programs can make your referral process even more effective. Candidates referred by employees often have a better understanding of your culture, reducing the risk of mismatched expectations.‍

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Embrace Hybrid Work

Remote work is here to stay. For some, remote work’s disadvantages outweigh its advantages, but a hybrid model offers the best of both worlds. It balances collaboration and training opportunities of regularly being in the office while still offering the flexibility that today’s workforce wants. Be clear about your remote or hybrid policies in your job ads to attract candidates who align with your work environment.‍

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Invest in Skill Development

Continuous learning benefits both employees and employers. Regular performance reviews can define short- and long-term goals, demonstrating your investment in employee growth. A defined plan to support these goals communicates your employees’ value to your company.‍

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Use Recruitment Expertise

Hiring on your own can be costly and time-consuming. The soft costs of a bad hire—including lost productivity and morale—can add up to 30-50% of the role’s annual salary, and even more for executive positions. Here’s where you can lean on Syndeo Staffing. As subject matter experts, we bring expertise to streamline the process, reduce costs, and ensure you’re making informed hiring decisions.

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Navigate AI in Staffing

While AI can assist with screening resumes, it often lacks the nuance to identify soft skills or evaluate cultural fit. Overreliance on AI can flood the process with unqualified candidates, making it harder to find the right match. Syndeo Staffing vets your pool of applicants to provide the personal touch necessary to identify traits that align with your company’s needs. 

Business growth always requires a strategic plan.

The hiring landscape evolves quickly. Trends like pay rates, remote work, and employee expectations are reshaping the future of recruitment. Wage expectations will continue to be critical, especially as employees increasingly prioritize flexibility, benefits, and remote opportunities alongside salary. Companies that balance remote and in-office collaboration will position themselves as leaders in employee satisfaction and retention.

Investing in employee growth will always be a top strategy. Beyond hiring, fostering a culture of learning through skill development, mentoring, and structured performance reviews ensures your team stays competitive and engaged.

By partnering with Syndeo, you’re not just hiring for today—you’re building a workforce equipped to drive your business forward. Let us help you make smarter hiring choices that support your growth goals. 

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To learn more about how outsourced HR services can get you back to business, contact Syndeo today!