Stop Hunting Unicorns: Invest in Trainable Talent to Solve the Mid-Level Hiring Crisis

Companies are moving through a cautious but competitive hiring landscape in late 2025. HR leaders face rising pressure to fill key roles quickly. They must balance speed with quality, culture, and long-term potential. That balance has become harder to achieve. In fields like architecture, engineering, and consulting(AEC), the demand for skilled professionals continues to grow. These firms depend on experience and precision to deliver results. Yet many struggle to find mid-level employees who can work independently and still have room to grow. The result is a widening talent gap that challenges how organizations hire, train, and retain their people.

When the “perfect fit” is increasingly rare, how can organizations evolve their hiring and retention strategies to build strong, loyal teams from the available talent?

Danielle Zigmond, the Talent Acquisitions Manager at The Encompass Group, joins Daniel Litwin, “the voice of B2B,” in the MarketScale Media booth at the HR Southwest Conference 2025 to explore how forward-thinking HR leaders are redefining success. Together, they discuss why investing in people and not perfection is emerging as the smartest path to sustainable talent growth.

Key Takeaways from the Discussion

• The mid-level gap is widening – AEC firms are struggling to find professionals who are experienced enough to work independently but not yet at the executive level. This “missing middle” has become one of the most competitive hiring segments.

• Growth potential beats perfection –Zigmond urges organizations to stop chasing the “perfect hire” and instead invest in trainable talent. Hiring candidates with promise and developing their skills through strategic upskilling creates stronger, more loyal employees in the long run.

• Retention stems from genuine care – Employees stay when they feel genuinely valued, not just compensated. Authentic leadership care and individualized growth plans create emotional loyalty that benefits both sides.

• Vulnerability creates trust – When leaders admit mistakes and model accountability, they build psychological safety. That openness encourages transparency and stronger team cohesion.

• HR strategy is evolving beyond administration – Today’s top HR professionals aren’t just maintaining systems; they’re steering organizational change, crafting talent strategies, and shaping company culture at the highest level.

Danielle Zigmond is a Talent Acquisition Manager at The Encompass Group, specializing in recruiting and aligning talent with organizational culture and values. She has over eight years of experience in human capital management, executive search, and HR technology integration. Her work focuses on helping businesses enhance efficiency and growth through strategic hiring and people optimization solutions.

Article written by Sonia Gossai