Hiring Challenges in 2025? 5 Ways NSW Small Businesses Can Stand Out

Running a small business isn’t for the faint of heart. You’ve got orders to fill, customers to serve, and a team running flat out, yet you still can’t find that extra pair of hands you’ve been advertising for.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Small business owners across NSW are feeling the same squeeze. Nearly half of NSW small businesses say skills shortages are directly limiting their ability to grow, and more than two-thirds of those trying to hire in the past three months have struggled to find suitable candidates. Rising operating costs, fierce competition for talent, and limited access to local skills mean the pressure has never been greater.

The good news? You don’t need a big-business budget to win great hires. NSW small businesses have some unique advantages, and with the right strategy you can turn them into a real edge.

What do jobseekers really want in 2025?

The latest research from Indeed’s Job Seeker Report and Indeed Global Talent Report shows that across all generations, job seekers want three things above all else:

• Good co-workers and a supportive team
• Solid work-life balance
• Fair pay

While some studies suggest there may be differences in what individuals value most such as flexibility, opportunities for growth, or workplace culture these preferences can vary widely within and across different groups. It’s important for employers to recognise that jobseekers are diverse, and their priorities are shaped by a range of personal and professional factors, not just age or gender.

Ultimately, creating an inclusive, flexible, and supportive work environment is key to appealing to a broad spectrum of candidates.

Here’s the insight many employers miss: while “shared values” matter, most job seekers put people, balance, and pay first.

Why this is good news for small businesses

You may not always be able to match the salaries of multinationals  but you can absolutely compete on what really matters to talent.

1) Offer flexibility and balance

Flexibility is one of the most sought-after benefits for Australian job seekers. Options include:

• Flexible start and finish times
• Job sharing or part-time transitions
• Hybrid or remote work where possible
• Roster swaps, time-off in lieu, and flexitime

Fair Work Australia highlights that flexibility can reduce stress, lower absenteeism, boost productivity, and improve retention. Start small, even a simple roster conversation or trial arrangement can show your team you value their needs.

2) Show the direct business impact

In a small business, employees can see the results of their work every day and younger workers love that. They want to be involved in decisions, share ideas, and see the difference they’re making. Highlight this in your job ads and during interviews: “Here, your ideas shape how we do things.”

3) Fast-track growth

Small businesses often give employees the chance to wear multiple hats, which keeps work interesting and helps them grow faster. Let candidates know they’ll get exposure to senior leaders and the chance to take on bigger responsibilities early in their careers.

4) Build a people-first culture

Today’s workforce wants workplaces that prioritise wellbeing, fair workloads, and a sense of belonging. Keep workloads manageable, recognise great work often, and communicate openly. A friendly team culture can outweigh a slightly lower paycheque.

5) Give autonomy and ownership

Top performers want to shape their roles and learn new skills. Encourage job crafting where employees tweak responsibilities to suit their strengths  and give them freedom to own their work.

💡Quick ways to show this in your hiring Job ad “Friendly team, flexible shifts, fair pay, clear path to grow.” Interview: Talk about how you support balance (rosters in advance, swap shifts, etc.). On the job: Keep workloads reasonable, give feedback often, and recognise good work.

How Indeed can help

Visibility is key when you’re competing for talent. Indeed helps small businesses across NSW put their jobs in front of the right people.

• Post a job for free* — create an account, add your job description, and your role will be visible to thousands of candidates.

*Terms, conditions, quality standards and usage limits apply.

• Sponsor your job — sponsored jobs appear more consistently in search results and you only pay when candidates click, and you can set a budget that works for you.

Want to go beyond hiring? Promote your business to build your reputation with both customers and future employees.

 Check out Indeed’s guide: How to Promote Your Business for tips on growing awareness and getting seen by more potential candidates.

With the right hiring message, a stronger business profile, and the right platform, you can find skilled candidates faster and keep your business running smoothly.

Need more tips on how to write a job description, the best interview questions to ask, how to write an offer letter and more? Check out these free resources on Indeed.