Recruitment isn’t broken – it’s misaligned.

Every week, I hear the same frustrations:
❌ “We can’t find the right talent.”
❌ “Candidates keep dropping out.”
❌ “We’re hiring fast, but not lasting.”

The truth? Recruitment isn’t failing – it’s just misaligned with how people work, think, and choose employers today.

The market has evolved. AI, remote work, and shifting candidate expectations have changed everything about how people engage with work. Yet many organisations are still recruiting for yesterday’s world.

Here’s how to reframe your hiring for long-term value;

1️⃣ Start with purpose, not process.
Too many hiring frameworks start with job specs, not business goals. Define why the role matters – not just what it does.
2️⃣ Hire for potential, not perfection.
The best teams aren’t built by ticking boxes. They’re built by spotting growth, adaptability, and mindset.
3️⃣ Make inclusion intentional.
If your hiring process doesn’t reflect your values, your culture won’t either. Inclusion isn’t an initiative – it’s a lens.
4️⃣ Measure outcomes, not activity.
Time-to-hire, cost-per-hire — they tell part of the story. But the real metric is quality and retention over time.
5️⃣ Empower your hiring teams.
Recruitment shouldn’t sit in HR alone. It’s a partnership between leaders, recruiters, and culture advocates.

When recruitment aligns with strategy, culture, and long-term growth – it stops being a transaction. It becomes a competitive advantage.

At Stone & Co, that’s exactly what we help organisations achieve – building recruitment strategies that last, not just fill vacancies.

I’d love to hear your thoughts – do you think recruitment is “broken,” or just in need of realignment?