When I tell people I run a retained search firm, I usually get the same confused look—like I just said I build time machines. Even my mom doesn’t totally get it (love you, Mom).

So in this episode of Hire Power, I’m breaking down the truth about retained search vs. contingency recruiting—what they are, how they’re different, what they cost, and why the one you choose really matters if you're serious about hiring the right person.

Spoiler alert: it's not about flooding your inbox with resumes. It’s about strategy, consistency, and outcomes.

In this episode:

• What retained search actually means
• Why contingency recruiting often becomes a resume race
• Common misconceptions around cost and exclusivity
• The real difference in candidate quality and process
• Why high-impact roles need a different level of support
• What your choice of search firm says about your brand

Bottom line: If you’re hiring someone critical to your business, culture, or growth—you can’t afford to get it wrong. Don’t just post and pray. Do it right from the beginning.

Ready to hire differently?

Learn more at frostconnections.com

Connect with Kim on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/frostkim

Right now, it’s an employer-driven market—and for hiring leaders, that might feel like a win. Candidates are more responsive, more flexible, and more willing to compromise. But here's the truth: this moment won’t last.

In this episode I’m delivering a reality check for leaders getting a little too comfortable with the current hiring landscape. The way you treat candidates today will define your reputation tomorrow.

From AI screenings to interview bloat and “been there, done that” mindsets, we’re unpacking the habits that might be costing you top talent—even if you don’t see it yet.

In this episode:

• Why dragging out the hiring process damages your brand
• What AI tools can’t replace (and why connection still matters)
• How one hiring manager changed a candidate’s entire experience
• The dangerous mindset behind “they’ve done this before”
• What real leadership looks like when the power flips

Bottom line: If you’re relying on leverage over leadership—you’re playing short-term games in a long-term world.

Ready to hire differently? Learn more at frostconnections.com

Connect with Kim on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/frostkim

Hiring used to be intentional. Now? It’s a mess.

In this episode of Hire Power, I’m breaking down how recruiting has changed over the last 30 years—from cold calls and fax machines to one-click applications and AI overload. If you're still hiring like it's 1999, you’re already behind.

I’m taking you decade by decade through what’s shifted, what’s been lost, and what today’s hiring leaders need to do right now to cut through the noise.

Whether you're a founder, CEO, VP, or HR leader, this episode will help you understand why you're drowning in resumes—and what to do about it.

In this episode:

• Why more applications doesn’t mean better talent
• What hiring got right in the 1990s
• How LinkedIn, ATS, and AI changed the game
• Why "post and pray" is no longer a strategy
• What real leadership potential actually looks like

The takeaway: If you want to build a strong team, you don’t need more resumes—you need better systems, sharper instincts, and the guts to say no to the wrong fit.

Listen now and connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frostkim/

Learn more at: https://www.frostconnections.com

You don’t need more resumes—you need better leaders.

Welcome to Hire Power, the podcast that tells the truth about hiring, even when it’s hard to hear. I’m Kim Frost, founder of Frost Connections, and after 20+ years in recruiting—from high-pressure agency days to building executive teams in-house—I’ve seen it all.

This show is for founders, CEOs, VPs, and HR leaders who are done settling and ready to build leadership teams that actually fit. Every week, I’ll bring you real talk about hiring in a shifting market—from AI tools to cultural fit, from red flags to long-term wins.

If you're tired of wasted time and bad hires, you're in the right place.

Learn more at frostconnections.com
Connect on LinkedIn: Kim Frost

Follow the show and get ready to hire smarter.