Client Insider
In the Dark With Candidates?
Hiring shouldn’t feel like speed dating with the lights off.
We asked candidates what they’re really seeing—and saying—about the hiring experience today so our clients can interview--and hire--better.
Behind the Curtain
We Sit in the Middle.
So We Hear It All.
As recruiters, we live in the messy middle—between candidates and companies, clarity and chaos, “we’ll circle back” and radio silence.
This isn’t a complaint. It’s an opportunity.
Here’s what candidates wish more hiring teams knew, straight from our matchmaker notebooks.
8 Truths from the Hiring Front
1.
No News ≠ Good News
Silence after an interview feels like ghosting—because it is. Candidates don’t need a “yes” right away, they just need something.
💡 Silence is louder than you think.
2.
Everyone’s Tired of the Word “Fit”
Fit isn’t bad—it’s just vague. When everyone’s guessing what it means, no one wins.
💡 Fit isn’t a vibe. It’s a filter.
3. Open to Opportunities≠ Unemployed
Top talent is already working somewhere else. They’re not jobless; they’re just listening.
💡 Great people rarely raise their hands first.
4.
Say "No" Well
You will reject more than you will hire. Remember, you’re not just closing a loop—you’re shaping your reputation.
💡 Deliver bad news fast. With clarity.
5. The Market Has a Long Memory
Every follow-up, every ghosted message—it all echoes.
💡 Reputation is the real pipeline.
6. “We’re Re-Evaluating the Role” = Confusion
That’s okay—just say so. Clarity builds confidence, even amidst uncertainty.
💡 You don’t need perfect answers—just honest ones.
7. Vulnerability Isn’t a Red Flag
Hiring is human. The best leaders handle both data and emotion with grace.
💡 Hiring is human. Let’s treat it that way.
8. You Don’t Need More Applicants—You Need the Right Ones
Quality beats quantity every time.
💡 Because 100 résumés don’t equal one match.
Matchstick Keeps the Fire Burning🔥
While you’re focused on running your business, we’re tending the relationships that keep it growing.
We stay in touch with candidates, communicate on your behalf, and keep momentum alive—so your next great hire doesn’t slip through the cracks.
Because the best recruiting isn’t transactional. It’s relational.
Recruiting Done Differently—For Real.
Want some honest feedback on your hiring needs and plan?
Book a call—we’d love to meet you.
Want to stay in the loop (guaranteed spam-free!)?
Join our mailing list for periodic takes on what’s happening in the market and the ever-evolving world of hiring.
TESTIMONIALS
Real Words from Real Candidates
“Matchstick was my lifeline between interviews.”
“Even when the answer was no, I felt respected.”
“It’s wild how different it feels when someone actually communicates.”
