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Defying Conventions for Hiring Success

In the rapidly evolving landscape of talent acquisition, sticking to traditional hiring practices can mean missed opportunities and talent slipping through your fingers. It’s time to challenge the status quo and embrace innovative strategies that can lead you to hiring success. Let’s explore how defying conventional wisdom can transform your recruitment process.

Embrace the Unconventional Candidate

Traditional hiring tips often emphasize a perfect match between a candidate’s previous job titles and the one they’re applying for. But what if we looked beyond the résumé? Consider candidates with diverse backgrounds, those who’ve switched industries and folks with non-linear career paths. These professionals often bring a wealth of transferable skills and unique perspectives that can drive innovation and adaptability within your organization.

Standardize Flexibility

Gone are the days when a strict nine-to-five in the office was the only working pattern businesses would entertain. The rise of remote work, flexible hours, and emphasis on work-life balance are not just perks for your current team, but essential elements that top candidates seek. By offering and supporting different working styles, you can attract a broader range of candidates and retain top talent who value the flexibility to manage their professional and personal lives.

Place Skills and Potential Over Degrees

A degree from a prestigious institution is impressive, but does it always equate to the best hire? Skills-based hiring focuses on the specific abilities and potential value a candidate can bring to your company. By using practical assessments and real-world problem-solving scenarios during the interview process, you can identify candidates who have the right skills—regardless of their educational background.

Go for a Culture Add, Not Just a Culture Fit

Finding a candidate who fits perfectly with your company’s current culture has long been a recruitment mantra. However, this approach can inadvertently lead to a homogenous workforce. Instead, consider the concept of ‘culture add’. Seek out individuals who not only align with your core values but also bring something new to the table, enriching your company culture and fostering diversity of thought.

Leverage Professional Services

While conventional wisdom may deter you from engaging recruiters or executive search firms, the fact is there’s no better way to gain access to a variety of qualified and vetted candidates. Especially if you’ve experienced high turnover or are struggling to find the right fit, reputable recruiting firms are an ally in efficient, effective talent acquisition.

Hiring is high stakes for your business, your current team and your new hires. There’s no shame in seeking help.

Add a Spark to Your Recruitment

Hiring success is measured in the enthusiasm, satisfaction and retention of your team. With a 93% retention rate, TalentSpark prioritizes the human element in recruitment. We learn your business and collaborate with you on your search, from temporary positions to executive recruiting.

Connect with us today and let us know how we can empower your hiring goals.

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Josilyn Clare

Josilyn Clare

Operations Coordinator

Josilyn supports TalentSpark’s daily operations with her background in administrative management and tax. With several years of experience optimizing organizational systems, she works closely with our Leadership Team to keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes. Her attention to detail, financial accuracy, and proactive mindset help the team operate at our best.

Education: Northwest University (B.A.)

Fun Fact: Josilyn’s favorite place in the world is Germany!

Sari Hansen Team Photo

Sari Hansen

Recruiter

After starting her career in telecommunications and public health, Sari was introduced to the recruiting world and never looked back. At TalentSpark, she specializes in project-based and recruiter on demand roles, supporting clients across industries like insurance, finance, engineering, and manufacturing. With over a decade of recruiting experience, Sari is passionate about guiding candidates to the right fit, including opportunities they might never have considered before.

Education: Idaho State University (B.S., Public Health Education & Promotion)

Community: Youth group leader for ages 4–18; active supporter of local school and sports programs

Fun Fact: Sari is a lifelong Idahoan raised on a multi-generational cattle ranch!

Dylan Buckland Team Photo

Dylan Buckland

Recruiter

Before joining TalentSpark, Dylan worked as a hiring manager for Old Navy, the largest specialty retailer in the U.S. There he gained firsthand insight into the importance of thoughtful, people-centered hiring. Now as a TalentSpark recruiter, he’s been involved in all aspects of recruiting — from working directly with clients to managing a full desk. Dylan’s superpower is creating an inclusive and safe environment where authentic conversations come naturally.

Education: Boise State University (B.B.A., Business Administration & B.A., Human Resource Management)

Community: President, Boise Young Professionals; Board Member, Downtown Boise Association (DBA); Board Member, Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce

Fun Fact: Dylan is a ski enthusiast and self-taught handyman who never turns down a home improvement project!

Pariss Paul Team Photo

Pariss Paul

Recruiter

Pariss Paul offers nearly a decade of recruiting experience across a variety of industries, including human resources, accounting and finance, sales, marketing, IT, and engineering. Since joining TalentSpark in 2020, she’s been passionate about creating exceptional experiences for both clients and candidates — connecting the right people with the right roles and watching them thrive. Pariss is known for her relationship-driven approach and her genuine enthusiasm for helping organizations grow through great hires.

Education: Boise State University (B.A., Communication)

Community: Member, Human Resources Association of the Treasure Valley (HRATV)

Fun Fact: A lifelong dancer, Pariss now serves as Assistant Director of a local adult dance company and teaches dance to K12 students!

Allison Bruce Team Photo

Allison Bruce

VP of Recruiting

As VP of Recruiting at TalentSpark, Allison brings 20 years of recruiting experience across a wide range of industries, from Fortune 100 companies to nonprofits. Her background spans global engineering firms, health systems, pharmaceutical companies, and telecom providers. For the past eight years at TalentSpark, she has led the recruitment team and spearheaded executive search efforts. As a self-proclaimed “recruiting nerd,” Allison has a talent for market research and reaching unique, hard-to-find talent.

Education: University of Colorado – Boulder (B.A.); NCAA Division Track & Field Athlete

Community & Awards: Board Member, Boise Valley Economic Partnership; Co-Chair, Key Executive Committee at Meridian Chamber of Commerce; Board Member, American Association of Accounting and Finance; Past HR Committee, Idaho Youth Ranch; Coach, Girls on the Run; Idaho Business Review’s 40 Under 40; Women of Influence Honoree; Keynote Speaker, Meet the CFOs (TV CFO Forum, 2023–2025); Speaker, Boise Chamber Leadership Conference (2021)

Fun Fact: Allison has cycled across the Colorado mountains three times and her favorite place to visit is Sun Valley!

Jamie Brajcich Team Photo

Jamie Brajcich

Manager of Recruiting

Jamie has over 16 years of recruiting and talent acquisition experience. She began her career in healthcare and physician recruitment before expanding into industries like manufacturing, technology, and real estate. Since joining TalentSpark in 2018 as Manager of Recruiting, Jamie’s passion for leadership and talent strategy has shined through in everything she does — especially when it comes to building and mentoring teams.

Education: University of Montana (B.A., Organizational Communication & Nonprofit Administration)

Community: Member, American Association of Accounting and Finance Recruiters (AAFA)

Fun Fact: Jamie is currently thriving in her “mom era” with two active kids!

Stephanie Parker Team Photo

Stephanie Parker

Founder & Executive Recruiter

Stephanie is the Founder and Executive Recruiter at TalentSpark, with 30 years of experience in recruiting and HR. She’s held leadership roles at Alaska Airlines, Micron Technology, and St. Luke’s Health System, and has spent the past nine years growing TalentSpark into a trusted recruiting partner for companies across the Mountain West. Known for her hands-on approach and deep local knowledge, Stephanie combines corporate expertise with entrepreneurial spirit to help organizations hire with confidence.

Education: University of Oregon (B.A.), Kansas State University (M.S., Organizational Psychology)

Community & Awards: Director of Workforce Development, Idaho State SHRM; Past President, HRATV; Advisory Board Member, TOK; Past Executive Board Member, City of Good; Former EO Member; Idaho Business Review CEO of Influence

Fun Fact: Stephanie is a certified yoga instructor and avid fan of reality real estate shows!