Recruiting Redefined

Recruiting is so much more than matching a resume to a job description. If it were that simple, our whole industry would have been turned obsolete by algorithms long ago. Finding the right person for the right role takes intuition, nuance, and sometimes a willingness to search in places no one else is looking.  

At MatchPoint, recruitment is not about putting a body in a chair—it's about forging connections that endure long after the ink dries. Our goal is to become a true partner for our clients and candidates alike, not just during the hiring process, but every step of the way. Recruitment, at its core, is a deeply human endeavor and that is what sets us apart. We don't just place people in roles; we invest in their success. From facilitating onboarding to providing continuous support, we approach recruitment as a holistic process.  

Identifying Value Beyond the Resume 

The art and science of spotting potential 

Resumes are like movie trailers: flashy, intriguing, but never the full story.  Our recruiters dig beyond the highlight reel, uncovering what truly sets candidates apart and to determine their compatibility with the client. With a deep understanding of our clients' culture and technical needs, we deliver top talent fast. If the client’s needs shift, or the presented candidates aren’t the perfect fit, we quickly pivot to find the right match. Every piece of information adds value and helps us refine our search.  

Now let's pretend you are hiring for an important role. The job description is sharp and perfectly polished to fit the industry standard. You’re looking for someone who fits the mold—a square peg for the square hole. But what if the best candidate isn’t who—or where—you think they are? 

There’s a story about a search party combing through the woods looking for a lost child. They’ve got flashlights, dogs, and a village of people on the search. And just as they finished scanning the whole forest and are about ready to give up, the child wanders in from the next town over. Turns out, they were never in the woods to begin with.  

Recruitment works the same way. Sometimes the perfect hire isn’t hiding in the same well-trodden paths. They’re in the next town over—a different field, with a different background, waiting for someone to recognize their potential.  

The problem is most hiring processes aren’t set up to look past the woods. Resumes get filtered, biases creep in, and candidates who don't fit the industry mold are left out in the cold. But here’s the truth: skill isn’t confined by industry.  

We have seen a client come to us after spending over a year searching for a senior-level point-of-sale architect who could work a hybrid schedule. They had struggled to find someone with the right industry experience who was within a commutable distance. Our recruiters identified someone with point-of-sale experience in a peripheral industry, and while it was not an obvious fit, our conversations with the candidate were enlightening. His technical expertise, and the scale of his experience perfectly aligned with what our client aimed to accomplish. This placement, although seemingly unconventional, turned out to be a seamless match. 

Why Instinct Matters 

The secret sauce of recruiting is an ineffable quality: instinct. Instinct develops out of experience and familiarity. For our long-term clients, we’ve had the privilege of building a deep understanding of their quirks, preferences, and culture over time. We've heard their horror stories. We know their leadership style, their must-haves, and their pet peeves. Most importantly, we know who will thrive there. 

Over time, we’ve become more than a staffing vendor—we've become a trusted extension of their team. That’s how we know when a candidate is more than just a resume. It’s how we recognize the spark, the drive, that intangible “it” factor that makes someone the perfect fit. It's not a rare occurrence for the candidates we place to come back to us, thrilled to say they feel at home in their new role. As I said before, recruiting is a deeply human endeavor.  

That's why, despite all the advancements in AI and automated hiring tools, instinct remains irreplaceable. Algorithms can scan resumes for keywords, but they can't pick up on the subtle qualities that make somebody a great cultural fit. It can't measure the passion in their voice, the resilience in their story, or their unique way of approaching challenges. 

Roadblocks to the Job 

The hiring process is full of obstacles—job boards, ATS systems, and impersonal algorithms that filter out great candidates before a pair of human eyes ever sees their resume. While websites with job listings can be helpful, 60% of jobs are being found through networking.  

Even when candidates do apply, their resumes don’t often make it to a hiring manager. Studies show that 75% of resumes are rejected by ATS filters before a hiring manager could review them. 

That means that the biggest problem for job seekers isn’t being the right fit—it's being seen at all.  

The Dark Side of Staffing

Staffing doesn’t always have the best reputation—and in some cases, it’s for good reason. Some firms prioritize quick placements over quality, using pressure tactics to push candidates into roles that might not be a great fit. The result? Disengaged employees, high-turnover, and a broken hiring process. 

But not all staffing firms are created equal.

At MatchPoint, transparency and ethics are at the heart of how we do business. Our recruiters keep candidates informed every step of the way, maintaining open lines of communication about opportunities, expectations, and timelines.  

A recent poll of 2,600 job seekers found that over 50% cited “ghosting or lack of feedback” as their biggest frustration in the job search.  

We do not ghost candidates. Ever. 

If a candidate does not receive a job offer, we make sure they know why so they can learn and grow from the experience.  

One of the biggest inefficiencies in hiring today is the rise of Third-Party-Administrators (TPAs)—middlemen who sit between hiring companies and staffing firms. Though they claim to streamline the hiring process, in reality, they create unnecessary layers of bureaucracy, slowing down the process, limiting collaboration, and ultimately driving up costs for everyone (except themselves of course). 

Here's the biggest issue with TPAs: they prioritize process over people. They standardize hiring to the point where recruiters have little to no direct access to the client, making it nearly impossible to tailor searches effectively. 

At MatchPoint, we believe hiring works best when there's a direct and open partnership between us and the companies we serve.

Ghost Jobs 

There is a bizarre trend in hiring: legitimate companies are posting illegitimate job listings. These are known as ghost jobs—roles that aren’t actually open, at least not right now.  

In the last five years, the rate of hire per job posting has plummeted. In 2019, for every ten job postings there would be approximately eight hires. By 2024, that number was down to four hires per ten job postings.  

These ghost jobs are not scams; the companies are not actually hiring for that role at that time. They may be interested in hiring for that role down the road, or maybe they were hiring for it, but for whatever reason aren’t currently. All this does is allow employers to pocket resumes while muddying the waters of an already difficult job search process.  

Post-Placement Support 

A successful placement isn't just about signing a contract—it's about ensuring long-term success for both the client and candidate. That's why our job doesn't stop once the paperwork is done. 

• Seamless Onboarding: We help candidates hit the ground running, ensuring that they feel confident and prepared from day one.  

• Ongoing Check-Ins: We regularly connect with both clients and candidates to gather feedback and address any challenges early.  

• Continuous Support: Whether it's game-planning upcoming projects, navigating industry shifts, or planning future growth, we stay engaged to help everyone succeed.

Closing 

Recruiting isn’t just about finding people—it’s about building lasting partnerships.

At MatchPoint, our focus isn't on the number of placements we make. It's on the value we bring through the lasting partnerships we foster. We believe in understanding the bigger picture—our clients' evolving needs, our candidates' aspirations—and creating connections that last long after the hire.