👋 Welcome back!

Ever made a New Year’s resolution you actually kept?

Well, HR leaders are making some big ones for 2025, and “stop ghosting candidates” is at the top of the list.

That’s right — the industry that coined “quiet quitting” is ready to get loud about better recruiting practices. From ditching rigid assessment tests to rethinking “culture fit,” HR leaders are calling for a major mindset shift.

And the timing couldn’t be better. With job searches now stretching longer than a Netflix binge-watching session (we’re talking 6+ months), maybe it’s time we all resolved to make the hiring process a little more human.

Here’s a thought to kick off 2025: Companies should embrace “culture add” over culture fit — prioritizing candidates who bring new perspectives that enhance and evolve company culture. And… maybe standardized assessments aren’t the golden ticket we thought they were? Some people are good test takers, and others are not. Perhaps it’s time we found better ways to evaluate talent.

Got questions? Comments? A recruiting resolution of your own? Hit reply — we’d love to hear from you!

Is your HR tech stack ready for 2025?

For the new year, are you focused on the right tools and the right people to hit your 2025 goals? It’s time to build your dream HR tech stack!

Start by filling out a quick assessment to receive a free custom report with tailored recommendations for tech alternatives and growth opportunities for your business.

— Team Talivity ✨

Today’s edition is a 4-minute read. Here’s what to expect👇

🗞️ White-collar job searches hit 6-month mark
🌎️ Dutch HR tech Salure acquires BvB Group
💰️ $4.1B later, Paycor is Paychex’s latest flex in HR tech
💼 Layoffs at Washington Post, Bench
💻 TA roles at Soni, Scale AI

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🧮 By the numbers:

• 7 million Americans currently unemployed

• 1.6 million in extended job searches (6+ months or longer)

• 1:1 ratio of job postings to unemployed workers (down from 2:1 in 2022)

• 4% current wage growth (down from 6% during hiring peak)

• 20% decrease in tech job postings from pre-pandemic levels

NUMBERS

Numbers That’ll Make You Think

• 77% – Of S&P 500 companies tied executive incentive plans to at least one environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metric in 2024. Looks like going green is bringing in the green… (HR Brew)
• 50% – Of HR leaders praise their mobility programs, while 23% of employees wonder if “internal mobility” is just corporate speak for musical chairs… (HR Brew)
• 2.7% – Unemployment rate in the Hartford area, the lowest among large US metros. (Staffing Industry)
• 2% – Rise in US worker productivity in Q3 2024 – the fifth straight quarter above 2%. Turns out we can work smarter and harder… (Wall Street Journal)
• 46% – Of management and business operations employees working remotely at least part-time, up from 41% last year. The office isn’t dead – it’s just more flexible. (Business Insider)
• $100M – The amount Southwest Airlines faces in lawsuit damages for allegedly ignoring weekly pay rules. That’s a lot of boarding passes… pay your employees. (HR Dive)

Mark your calendar for February 11–13, 2025 for a 3-day virtual event packed with strategies to attract, engage, and retain Gen Z talent. Learn how to build trust, streamline HR tech, and amplify your brand.

👉️ Secure your free spot today.

INDUSTRY INTEL

M&A Deals, Industry Moves, & Other Things To Know

• Software giant Harris Computer acquires staffing software provider Coats, expanding its vertical market footprint and proving even software needs a new outfit sometimes. (Staffing Industry)
• Paycor joins Team Paychex – because $4.1B talks louder than words. (HR Tech Feed)
• Dutch HR tech firm Salure says “ja” to acquiring BvB Group, strengthening its position in HR and payroll solutions. The new dress code is wooden clogs optional. (Silicon Canals)
• Tech platform Employer.com rescues Bench Accounting from sudden shutdown, preserving services for thousands of small businesses. (The Albertan)
• The old school approach is getting a modern makeover with more companies increasingly turning to apprenticeships to fill talent gaps and reach new communities. (HR Dive)

OPEN ROLES

Jobs You Might Want (For Yourself!)

• Recruitment agency Soni is hiring an Executive Recruiter based hybrid in Philadelphia, PA
• Recruitment firm Coda Search is hiring a Recruiter based hybrid in Atlanta, GA
• IT staffing company Apex Systems is hiring a Recruiter based hybrid in Dallas, TX
• Staffing firm Insight Global is hiring a Sourcing Specialist based hybrid in Schenectady, NY
• IT recruitment firm GlobalSource IT is hiring a Technical Recruiter based hybrid in Milwaukee, WI
• AI technology company Scale AI is hiring an Executive Recruiter based hybrid in San Francisco, CA

For more of these roles delivered to your inbox every Monday, subscribe to the Talivity Jobs newsletter by clicking here. For a full list of open roles, head over to our job board by clicking here.

A NOTE FROM TEAM TALIVITY

Support LA Wildfire Relief Efforts

The devastating LA wildfires have left countless families and pets in urgent need of assistance. At Talivity, this cause hits close to home. Many of our employees, clients, vendors, partners, family, and friends are directly impacted by this disaster. Here’s how we can help together:

• Donate to the LA Wildfire Disaster Relief & Talent Mobilization here to fund critical aid.
• Volunteer with the American Red Cross, whose teams are urgently needed to assist displaced families. Aside from firefighters battling the blaze, Red Cross volunteers are the primary responders providing on-the-ground relief. Sign up here.
• Foster pets impacted by the wildfires to provide safety and comfort during their recovery with Canine Rescue Club here.

Your actions, whether through donations, volunteering, or fostering, can make a world of difference. Let’s come together to rebuild lives and strengthen our community.

👋 Thanks for reading!