2025 Recruitment Trends
Mid-Year Check-In
How to Use These Shifts to Your Advantage in the Second Half of the Year
We’re officially halfway through 2025 and the recruitment landscape continues to evolve at lightning speed. From shifts in candidate expectations to advance in hiring tech, the first six months of the year have revealed clear trends that savvy employers and job seekers should be paying attention to. At Hunter Recruitment Group, we’ve seen these changes firsthand across the Hunter region and beyond. Whether you’re hiring, job hunting, or planning your next move, here’s what trending and how to turn it into an opportunity for the second half of 2025!
Skill-based Hiring is Replacing Resume-based Hiring
What’s Happening: More employers are ditching rigid job descriptions in favour of focusing on transferable skills, real-world experience and culture add not just degrees and perfect CVs. Skill-based hiring focuses on demonstrable abilities, is a more reliable indicator of future job success than relying on resumes, job titles or educational credentials.
Use it to Your Advantage
- Employers: Revisit your job ads. Could you open them up to more diverse skillsets or non-traditional applicants?
- Job Seekers: Don’t downplay side projects, career changes, or volunteer work, these might be your ticket in
Employer Branding Matters More Than Ever
What’s Happening: Job seekers in 2025 want more than a job, they want purpose, flexibility and a workplace that aligns with their values. They’re researching you before you ever speak. Having a strong brand can also further help businesses stand out in a competitive job market, making them more appealing to candidates.
Use it to Your Advantage
- Employers: Refresh your online presence. What do your socials, Seek ads and website say about working for you?
- Job Seekers: Dig into company values before applying. If they align with yours, you’ll shine in interviews
Wage / Salary Level is More Important Than Ever
What’s Happening: The cost-of-living crisis experienced across Maitland and across Australia has impacted the employment market. With mobility of employee back to pre-pandemic numbers at HRG we are seeing a shift with a large percentage of individuals looking at change being driven by $$.
Use it to Your Advantage
- Employers: Advertising rates is now key with online ads the statistics show you get much higher traction with the salary level displayed. But also understand where you sit, do the research.
- Job Seekers: Employers are not seeking people who just want an increase in salary level so you still need to sell the skill and culture fit, but do your research understand your worth and work on your negotiations skills
Flexibility is the New Currency
What’s Happening: Remote work isn’t going away, but it’s evolving into a hybrid, personalised conversation. Flexibility around hours, location and even roles is key to attracting great people. This shift is driven by evolving employee expectations and a desire for better work-life balance. Companies that embrace flexibility in their recruitment strategies are finding it easier to attract and retain top talent.
Use it to Your Advantage
- Employers: Get clear on what flexibility you can offer and highlight it
- Job Seekers: Be honest about your ideal work-life setup and seek out roles that support it
The second half of 2025 is full of opportunity! Whether you’re an employer trying to stay competitive in a tight market or a job seeker looking for your next move, these trends offer real ways to stand out, grow and succeed.
Need help navigating it all? That’s what Hunter Recruitment Group is here for!
Get in touch with the HRG team today to talk about your recruitment needs, current openings, or just to get ahead of the curve.
(02) 4936 6537
https://www.hunterrecruitmentgroup.com.au/
19 Church St, Maitland NSW 2320
