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Hiring in 2025: 5 Smart Ways to Get More Job Applicants
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How to Get More Job Applicants in a Moderating Labor Market

By Mackenzie Miller on Apr 30, 2025
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Small business hiring manager conducting interview after implementing strategy to get more job appllicants

For the past several years, the U.S. labor market has been historically tight, with job openings far outpacing available workers. But as of spring 2025, hiring trends have begun to cool. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job openings dropped to a six-month low in March, while private-sector hiring significantly underperformed expectations in April.

Still, with unemployment holding around 4.2% and labor force participation steady, the market remains competitive—especially for small and mid-sized businesses trying to stand out to top candidates.

Whether you're experiencing fewer applicants or struggling to find quality fits, these five smart strategies can help you attract better talent in today’s labor market.

RELATED: 5 Tips for Writing a Compelling Job Advertisement >>

1. Write a Job Ad That Actually Works

The days of copying and pasting job descriptions are over. Today’s job seekers are selective—and a job ad is often their first impression of your business.

Tailor Your Language to Your Ideal Candidate

When writing job ads, consider your ideal candidate’s perspective. Are you targeting early-career professionals, skilled tradespeople or remote workers? Use language that resonates with that audience.

For example, emphasize growth and mentorship for younger talent, flexibility for experienced professionals, or company stability for workers leaving uncertain industries. This kind of personalization can make your ad feel less transactional—and more human.

Go Beyond a List of Responsibilities

Instead of listing duties and requirements alone, use the job posting to:

  • Highlight what makes your company unique

  • Show off your culture and values

  • Include pay ranges when possible (research shows this drives more applications)

This is your chance to sell the opportunity, not just the responsibilities.

Axcet HR Solutions HR consultant Kellie discusses pay transparency laws and job postings

2. Make Your Application Process Seamless

Even in a slightly cooler market, job seekers have options. If your application process is long, confusing or mobile-unfriendly, many will drop out before hitting “submit.”

Evaluate your current process:

  • Is it mobile-optimized?

  • Can someone apply in under 10 minutes?

  • Are you asking candidates to re-enter the same info repeatedly?

Simplifying the process improves your applicant pool—without lowering your standards.

RELATED: Don't Hire Another Employee Without Asking These Questions >>

3. Broaden Where You Post Openings

Posting to Indeed or Glassdoor is a start, but it’s not enough.

Reach Passive Candidates by Expanding Your Net

To reach more (and better-matched) candidates:

  • Use industry-specific or regional job boards

  • Leverage college alumni networks and niche communities

  • Share openings on social media channels like LinkedIn and Facebook

Widening your net helps your listing reach people who aren’t actively job hunting—but might apply if the right opportunity comes along.

Use Niche Job Boards for Higher-Quality Applicants

Specialized job boards may deliver fewer applicants than general ones—but they often result in higher-quality candidates.

For example, if you’re hiring for a tech role, try Dice.com or Stack Overflow Careers. For healthcare, consider Health eCareers.

Just be sure to track which platforms produce the best results, so you can optimize your strategy over time.

RELATED: 7 Reasons Up-to-Date Job Descriptions Are a Must >>

4. Start an Employee Referral Program

Referrals are often your best source of quality hires. Your employees know your company and are likely to recommend people who fit the culture and expectations.

An employee referral program can:

  • Lower hiring costs

  • Improve retention

  • Speed up time-to-hire

Offering a small bonus or reward for successful referrals can significantly boost participation.

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5. Outsource to a PEO, Like Us

Hiring isn’t just about effort—it’s about tools. That’s why many small businesses turn to Axcet HR Solutions for expert HR support and access to Prism Hiring, our powerful applicant tracking system.

With Prism Hiring, you can:

  • Post to dozens of job boards with a single login

  • Build a branded careers page that integrates with your website

  • Screen, communicate with and schedule candidates in one place

  • Seamlessly onboard new hires into payroll and benefits

This powerful recruiting tool reduces the time it takes to hire new employees by 30% or more.

Clients who use Prism Hiring regularly report seeing more applicants—and better matches—compared to their previous recruiting methods.

📺 Curious how it works? Watch our on-demand Prism Hiring demo >>

Strengthen Your Recruiting Strategy with Expert Support

Attracting more job applicants in today's competitive market requires more than just posting openings—it demands a strategic approach tailored to your business's unique needs. Axcet HR Solutions offers comprehensive talent management consulting to help small and mid-sized businesses refine their recruitment processes, from crafting compelling job ads to streamlining application procedures.

Explore Axcet’s Talent Management Consulting Services and discover how we can assist you in building a robust hiring strategy that draws in top talent.

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Written by Mackenzie Miller

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