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Unconventional Hiring Strategies for Growing Companies

In today’s job market, attracting and retaining top talent has become more challenging than ever. Traditional hiring methods won’t cut it for ambitious workers who want something more from their careers.

As a response, many companies are trying out unconventional hiring practices. While some of them may surprise traditional hiring managers, they are proven to yield incredible results.

Let’s examine some out-of-the-box hiring methods that have helped companies in the current job landscape.

Embrace Remote Work

One silver lining of the COVID-19 pandemic was the increasing acceptance of remote work. This hiring practice has been especially popular with tech companies, and allows workers flexibility and a greater work-life balance. Remote work also helps companies access exceptional talent across the country.

One thing we can say for certain is that remote work is here to stay. If your company has a historically regimented 9-5 model, take a moment to consider alternative options. Hybrid models are also greatly appealing to prospective hires.

Value Transferable Skills Over Professional Experience

While there are certainly fields where years of experience are required, many positions can be done by employees with the right transferable skill set. Often, the best employees are not the ones who had a 4.0 in college or worked every day of their lives, but people with strong communication, teamwork, time management and problem solving skills. Educational and work qualifications are certainly impressive, but they don’t always reflect a candidate’s true potential.

To get a better sense of your potential hire, offer skill-based assessments to gauge how successful they will be on your team. If anything, it’s a chance to review your organization’s values and determine what types of people will enhance your workplace.

Build Out Your Employee Referral Program

A strong employee referral program can produce new candidates like nobody’s business. Consider adding incentives to the process, like increasing the referral bonus or offering additional vacation days to employees.

Assuming the employee who makes the referral is a good fit at your company, there’s a strong chance they are recommending someone who also aligns with your organization’s values and mission.

Discover Innovative Staffing Solutions for Your Business

You’re building an extraordinary team, so ordinary hiring strategies aren’t going to cut it. With the help of the right staffing agency, you too can embrace unconventional hiring practices and draw great candidates to your organization.

Connect with our experienced TalentSpark team to learn more about hiring opportunities in the Mountain West region. Contact us today to get started.

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Josilyn Clare, Operations Coordinator at TalentSpark Boise Recruiting Firm

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, Recruiter at TalentSpark Boise Recruiting Firm

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, Recruiter at at TalentSpark Boise Recruiting Firm

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, Recruiter at TalentSpark Boise Recruiting Firm

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, VP of Recruiting at TalentSpark Boise Recruiting Firm

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, Manager of Recruiting at TalentSpark Boise Recruiting Firm

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, Founder & Executive Recruiter at TalentSpark Boise Recruiting Firm

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!