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.
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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.
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.
Instead of listing duties and requirements alone, use the job posting to:
This is your chance to sell the opportunity, not just the responsibilities.
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:
Simplifying the process improves your applicant pool—without lowering your standards.
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Posting to Indeed or Glassdoor is a start, but it’s not enough.
To reach more (and better-matched) candidates:
Widening your net helps your listing reach people who aren’t actively job hunting—but might apply if the right opportunity comes along.
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.
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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:
Offering a small bonus or reward for successful referrals can significantly boost participation.
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:
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 >>
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.