At Bond Williams, we know the “perfect candidate” is often a mythical creature, part unicorn, part Swiss Army knife, and almost impossible to find. You’ve shaped the role, refined the spec, and launched the search. But weeks pass, interviews blur, and still… no one quite ticks every box.
The reality? It’s rarely about a lack of talent. More often, it’s about how the role is defined, how it’s positioned in the market, or how you’re searching. Here are eight strategies we share with clients to help them move forward when the ideal hire doesn’t appear.
- Revisit the Role, Not Just the CVs
Sometimes the challenge lies not in the candidates but in the rigidity of the role itself. Consider:
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- Are all requirements truly essential, or are some “nice to haves” presented as musts?
- Could the role be restructured, split, or made more flexible?
- Which skills could be trained internally rather than hired ready-made?
The market has shifted dramatically since 2020, roles need to reflect the agility required in 2025 and beyond.
- Shift from “Fit” to “Potential”
Instead of searching for someone who’s done it all before, look for someone who could. Candidates with transferable skills, adjacent experience, and the drive to grow often outperform those with a textbook background.
Sometimes, the best question to ask is: do we want someone who has done the job… or someone who is ready to own it?
- Benchmark Salary and Benefits
If the right people aren’t engaging, the challenge might not be the talent pool, it could be your package. Today’s candidates weigh the whole offer, not just salary.
Flexible working, professional development opportunities, wellbeing support, and additional perks can make the difference between an offer accepted and one declined. Regular benchmarking ensures your role is competitive and attractive in a fast-moving market.
- Tap into Interim and Flexible Talent
If the permanent search is stalling, interim professionals and part-time specialists can provide an immediate impact. They bring senior expertise without long-term commitment and often bring fresh perspectives that reinvigorate teams.
This can also buy valuable time to refine the permanent search or reshape the role.
- Rethink Your Attraction Strategy
If strong candidates aren’t applying, the issue may lie in how you’re presenting the role. Review your employer brand and job adverts:
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- Is the language inclusive and engaging?
- Does the tone reflect your culture and values?
- Are you reaching beyond the “usual” platforms to attract a broader audience?
Sometimes, a subtle change in positioning is all that’s needed to unlock new talent pools.
- Invest in Internal Talent
Before you look outward, look inward. Is there someone within your organisation who could grow into the role with mentoring and support?
Promoting from within not only strengthens retention but also fosters loyalty, career growth, and cultural continuity.
- Partner with a Specialist Agency
When the search becomes complex or resource-heavy, working with a specialist recruitment partner like Bond Williams can accelerate results.
We bring:
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- Market insight and benchmarking data.
- Access to passive candidates and specialist networks.
- Expertise in candidate engagement and negotiation.
- The ability to refine and reposition roles for maximum impact.
Our consultants work as an extension of your business, ensuring you attract not only the right skills but also the right cultural fit.
- Accept Imperfection and Build Around It
Perfection is rare. But if a candidate brings 80% of what you need and 100% of the right mindset, that’s a strong hire. With the right support, they can grow into the role while complementing the wider team.
Some of the most successful hires aren’t the ones who arrive fully formed, they’re the ones who grow with you.
Final Thought
The “perfect candidate” may not exist, but the right one does, if you approach hiring with agility and the right support. By benchmarking your offer, rethinking rigid requirements, and partnering with experts who know the market inside out, you can secure talent that will make a real impact.
At Bond Williams, we help businesses do exactly that, finding not just candidates, but long-term solutions that shape the future of your organisation.
