Attracting top talent can feel like an uphill battle, especially for companies with limited hiring budgets. However, a hefty salary isn’t the only way to stand out. In Nexxt’s 2025 Job Seeker Survey, 50% of respondents said they were confident they’d find a job this year, yet only 35% believed they’d find the right one—highlighting an opportunity for employers to differentiate themselves through branding, streamlined hiring, and strong workplace offerings. If you’re looking to hire without breaking the bank, here are four ways to compete for talent effectively.
1. Strengthen Your Employer Brand
Job seekers today prioritize stability, pay, benefits, and flexibility—but a positive work environment was ranked as the #1 factor influencing job decisions, even ahead of salary. This means your company culture, mission, and values matter more than ever. Highlight your organization’s strengths through employee testimonials, social media presence, and a well-crafted careers page. Providing a transparent look at your work environment can attract candidates who align with your company’s culture, making them more likely to stay long-term.
2. Streamline Your Hiring Process
A frustrating hiring process can drive candidates away before they even reach the offer stage. In our survey, job seekers’ top hiring frustrations included writing cover letters, lengthy applications, and employment tests. Simplifying these steps—such as eliminating unnecessary cover letters, reducing redundant questions, and ensuring timely communication—can make your company more attractive to in-demand talent. Additionally, 61% of job seekers prefer direct outreach via email or text, so proactively engaging candidates rather than waiting for them to apply can give you a competitive edge.
3. Leverage Organic Job Postings
Even if you have a small budget your jobs can still be seen by the right people. Your jobs can be posted to Nexxt and their network of career sites at no cost. As mentioned above there’s a great need to streamline the hiring process and Nexxt is working hard to ensure companies of all sizes are able to compete for top talent. It is completely risk free for companies looking to increase their visibility and drive more candidates to their job postings—plus Nexxt may already be working with your ATS (if you use one) and the process for posting jobs for organic traffic is even easier!
4. Offer Flexibility & Growth Opportunities
Competition from applicants for roles is intensifying. To stand out, consider offering benefits beyond salary, such as hybrid work options, career development programs, and mentorship opportunities. If you can’t offer higher salaries, focus on creating an environment where employees feel valued and have room to advance.
Hiring on a budget doesn’t mean settling for candidates. By enhancing your employer brand, simplifying the hiring process, utilizing organic job postings, and prioritizing flexibility, you can attract high-quality talent without a sky-high recruiting spend. The job market is evolving, and companies that adapt to what job seekers want—clarity, efficiency, and culture—will have the edge in 2025.
Nexxt is a leading HR technology company that uses today’s most effective marketing tactics to reach candidates at scale. Learn more about hiring with Nexxt.