Rethinking recruitment: why mindset matters more than ever
There’s no denying that finding the right candidate can be a challenge, shaped by tech disruption, remote work and changing expectations. To help you make the best hire for your business, we spoke to a recruitment expert about why you should rethink your hiring approach.
Ryan Kelly launched his business, Creative Natives, nearly 6 years ago. After moving to Australia and spending 5 years in the industry he was determined to shake things up.
His agency is known for their free job search workshops and purpose-driven initiatives like Freelance for Good, which donates a portion of profits to charity. They also offer half-price recruitment for return-to-work parents; an approach Ryan says is not just ethical, but good business.
Hiring is a long-term strategy
Recruitment has always been a balancing act between supply and demand.
According to SEEK’s May 2025 employment snapshot:
- applications per job ad rose 1.2% since April
- applications per job ad rose 4.6% over the past quarter.
This means hiring teams are getting more applications for each role. Sorting through all those candidates takes extra time and effort, making it tougher to find the right fit. Some employers see a flood of candidate applications and think hiring should be easy. But Ryan offers a reality check:
'Now we’ve swung the other way. It might look like a great time to hire with so many people looking for work, but securing top-quality candidates is harder than ever.'
Ryan describes the current hiring situation as a ‘buyer’s market’ on the surface but reminds employers that top-tier candidates need to be recruited, not rushed.
It's about selling the opportunity, building relationships in advance, and having an ‘always-on’ approach to talent.
Switched-on business owners plan ahead, building a pipeline of potential candidates as part of their recruitment strategy. Through networking and informal conversations, recruitment is a thoughtful, future-focused process and not a last-minute scramble to fill a gap.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and the impact on recruitment
For business owners looking to keep up, it’s time to rethink the skills and qualities they prioritise in new hires, as AI becomes an everyday part of how we live and work. No longer just a concept of the future, it’s already reshaping the way we do business.
The ability to adapt, stay curious and work alongside AI tools will be the key to success in this evolving space. Ryan notes that businesses are already using technology and automation to complement staffing.
Two or three years from now, teams will be small, tech-savvy groups developing a diverse set of skills to get things done.
As automation becomes the norm, human qualities like relationship-building, clear communication and teamwork will only grow in value – helping teams thrive in ways that technology alone can’t replicate.
Hire for growth, not just skill
The key to succeeding in this new landscape? A growth mindset.
Ryan encourages business owners to see how AI can expand opportunities, especially in creative and knowledge-based roles.
'A lot of businesses still run on autopilot, doing things the way they’ve always been done, but it’s time to ask yourself: is this still working for the business.'
By understanding the real needs of your business today, you can create job descriptions that reflect what a role actually requires.
'So many job descriptions get reused for 3, 4, even 5 years. But if the role’s evolved – or the business has – you’re hiring for something that no longer exists.'
Skills, experience and credentials are important, but shifting your focus to hire candidates with a growth mindset, who are adaptable and open to change, will set you up for success.
You don’t have to find the finished article, look for someone with the potential to grow into the role. A little support goes a long way.
Offering flexibility is a strategic move
One of the biggest myths still clinging to workplace culture is the idea that productivity equals desk time – a mindset Ryan is determined to flip. He’s seen firsthand how flexibility helps businesses hit their goals when it comes to hiring.
In a tight market, flexible roles give smaller businesses a competitive edge, helping them attract talent they might otherwise miss, like working parents. Ryan believes flexibility is a powerful talent magnet that’s here to stay. The current challenge is that many business owners are still clinging to outdated ideas about what ‘productive’ looks like.
'If you present me with two options – one’s a highly efficient parent with great tech skills who needs to leave for school pickup at 3:15, and the other’s someone filling their day with fluff – I know who I’m hiring.'
His message to employers is clear: when everyone else zigs, you zag. Offering flexibility isn’t just inclusive — it’s a smart strategic move.
Diversity is a competitive advantage
Too often, businesses hire people they’d ‘go to the pub with’. But that sameness can hurt your business goals in the long run. Ryan suggests that the best-performing teams are a mix of styles, backgrounds and experiences, all working together.
Sometimes businesses try to hire all-star players. You need different ingredients, a mix of young, old, introvert, extrovert, to really win.
It’s also not just about skill sets – it’s about empathy, communication and the emotional glue that keeps teams strong.
Final thoughts
The future of recruitment is clear: focus less on ticking boxes and more on who can grow, adapt and bring purpose.
Or, as Ryan puts it: ‘Be open-minded. Be flexible. And stop looking for the finished article.’