by Kristie Mears | Jul 21, 2025 | Business, Featured, Recruitment
When I first started my career in employment services, I quickly realised what really lit me up: people. Not just ticking a box for job placement, but actually getting to know the participants (candidates) I was supporting. What made them tick. What scared them. What they were good at, even if they didn’t see it yet. I’d work collaboratively with participants to problem solve the everyday things like transport, confidence, childcare, anxiety, navigating Centrelink or interview nerves. The goal was never just to help them find a job. It was to help them build skills for life!
But what really made it work was the connection with employers. I loved sitting down with local businesses and learning what they really needed and what kind of person would genuinely thrive in their team. And once they were placed, I stayed involved. I checked in. I helped problem solve again if things got tricky. That kind of ongoing support built strong relationships with both candidates and employers.
That kind of work has always stuck with me. Partnerships not just transactions, real fit for both sides of the employment equation. Working with people to understand the market and to make strategic people decisions.
Now, working at Hunter Recruitment Group, I’ve found my way back to that same feeling through retained recruitment. It’s a different role and perspective, but the heart of the work feels familiar. That sense of purpose has come through in our partnerships with incredible organisations like Mai-Wel and Kurri Kurri Community Services.
For employers:
When we work on a retained basis, it means we’re not racing against the clock or just to “fill a seat.” We’re embedded. We’re part of the journey. We’re a part of the team. I get to know the business inside out, their people, their values and their challenges. I meet with hiring managers, visit worksites and truly understand who will be the right fit for their team
I open doors to candidates that don’t exist through standard recruitment methods like simple seek ads.
I advocate for the employer at a level well beyond the standard recruitment agency or internal recruiter pitch
Our statistics generated from placements through this methodology show much lower staff turnover and much higher engagement.
For candidates:
I get to bring the same care to candidates. I take the time to understand what they’re looking for and what matters most to them. Flexibility, team culture, the dollar figure, location. What they truly value. What kind of workplace will bring out their best. I get to represent clients I believe in, and help people find jobs that actually make them happy. I stay connected. I check in. I celebrate the wins and help troubleshoot the hard stuff.
That’s what drives me.
Retained recruitment gives me the space to do things properly. To build trust on both sides. To stay connected and support the whole journey. That’s the kind of recruitment I love. And I feel lucky to do it with HRG!
If your business is struggling to find staff and would prefer to work with a partner that can make a positive impact on your culture and bottom line. Then start a conversation with me today.
by Kristie Mears | Mar 20, 2025 | Business, Featured, Recruitment
I might only be 30, but I know that experience matters! I’ve had the privilege of working with some incredible people throughout my career, and one of my favourites was a woman who had well and truly passed the retirement age. She was at the end of her career while I was just starting mine, but she was the kind of colleague who made coming to work exciting.
She had all these foreign and funny sayings that cracked me up, even some I still use today! But what I loved most was her perspective, her stories and the depth of her experience. Some of the simplest, time-tested strategies she shared ended up being our most successful recruitment tactics. She wasn’t just a colleague, she was a mentor, a sounding board and a wealth of knowledge.
And that’s exactly what mature-aged workers bring to the table.
In the past two weeks I have meet with a few potential gun hires in the mature worker bracket. Great people with wisdom and skills that would excel within our local market. It has made me reflect and below are themes to make employers reflect on options in the workplace.
The Reality for Mature Jobseekers
One of the most common things I hear from mature job seekers is that they feel unwanted. They know they’re capable, but they worry that employers are only chasing younger, more ‘modern’ candidates. And to be honest, some employers do hesitate when hiring someone post retirement, especially if they’re a new face rather than a long-term employee aging within the company.
But here’s some food for thought…mature workers aren’t just “still capable”, they’re an asset.
So Why Employers Should Take Another Look?
If your business is struggling to find reliable, knowledgeable, and experienced staff, mature workers could be the game changer you need.
Why?
✅ Reliability – They show up. They take the job seriously. No ghosting, no last minute no-shows.
✅ Work Ethic – They come from a generation where hard work wasn’t optional, it was expected.
✅ Mentorship – Their experience helps lift up younger employees, providing guidance that no textbook or training course can.
✅ Loyalty – They’re not chasing a “stepping stone” job. If they commit, they stay.
The candidates I have spoken to recently are open to change, looking outside of their vocation. They have a desire to try something new and where possible teach and help grow the next generation of employees.
Sitting and having career conversations with some amazing experienced candidates has lead to me giving common advice with regards to job search.
My advice for Mature Jobseekers looking to get back into the Workforce
If you’re reading this and thinking, “I want to work, but I don’t know where to start”, here’s my advice:
- Tailor your resume – Show your experience in a way that highlights your value today.
- Seek out recruiters – There are people (like us at Hunter Recruitment Group) who will review your resume, offer pointers, and help you find the right opportunities.
- Pick up the phone or walk in – Some of the best jobs come from old-school networking. Introduce yourself, share your why, and make that conversation!
Businesses are struggling to find great employees. So why not tap into a workforce that’s proven, experienced and ready to go?
Employers – If you are reading this article in late March / April of 2025, contact me today any later and these highly skilled people will have already found work
Job seekers looking for better employment outcomes then – Start a Conversation with Hunter Recruitment Group today!
