Selective Hiring & Passive Talent

Employers are leaning into strategic hires that can drive measurable outcomes, with a preference for candidates who bring both technical capability and commercial acumen. At the same time, there's an ongoing shift in candidate behaviour: top talent is increasingly passive, with many opting to stay put unless the opportunity clearly speaks to long-term growth, value alignment, or meaningful brand work. This is especially true in sectors like consumer, financial services, and energy, where talent is selective and often fielding multiple options.

A key trend we’re seeing is the return of “quiet hiring”, organisations tapping recruitment partners to confidentially explore the market, often before advertising. There’s also been a subtle recalibration of salary expectations, particularly in middle to senior roles, where hiring managers are more focused on value alignment which candidates need to justify for compensation.

For recruiters, it's never been more important to tell the story behind the job: the culture, the impact, the why. That’s where we’re seeing results by connecting great candidates to opportunities that go beyond the job description.