In the recruitment industry, finding the right permanent hire can be the difference between business growth and long-term struggles. Whether you're a hiring manager, business owner, or part of a HR team, understanding what makes a good permanent hire is essential—not just for filling a role, but for strengthening your workforce.
At Service Care Solutions, we’ve helped hundreds of businesses across the UK with their permanent recruitment. In this article, we will explore what defines a great permanent hire and how your organisation can find them.
Why Permanent Recruitment Matters
While temporary roles offer flexibility, permanent recruitment brings stability, loyalty, and long-term growth. A strong permanent hire contributes to company culture, develops with the team, and provides lasting value—especially important in sectors where consistency and knowledge retention are key.
But with the 2025 job market, what exactly should employers look for?
Skills Match
A good permanent hire brings more than just the ability to do the job. They should demonstrate:
Relevant technical or professional skills specific to the role
Adaptability and a willingness to learn as the industry evolves
Soft skills like communication, teamwork, and initiative
Cultural Fit and Alignment
With permanent recruitment, cultural alignment is often overlooked. A candidate might appear as the ideal fit for a role, but if they don’t understand your organisations missions, values and culture, you could be putting yourself at risk of a mis-hire.
Look for signs that a candidate:
Shares your company values
Understands your mission
Will work well with your team
Motivation and Long-Term Commitment
A top-tier permanent hire isn’t just looking for a permanent job—they’re looking to build a career and grow within your business. During interviews, think about asking questions such as;
Why do they want this role?
What are they hoping to achieve?
Do their goals align with your long-term business objectives?
When employees feel their role supports their growth, they’re more likely to stay, perform, and thrive.
Reliability and Accountability
For permanent positions, consistency matters. It is important to be aware of potential job hoppers that aren’t necessarily reliable or invested in your business. You want individuals who:
Show up on time
Meet deadlines
Own their responsibilities
Check references and look for patterns in previous roles. Have they held other permanent jobs for a good length of time?
Emotional Intelligence
71% of employers value emotional intelligence when recruiting for a permanent hire, taking a people-first approach. Hiring candidates with high emotional intelligence can:
Improve team dynamics
Reduce workplace conflict
Boost morale
People with strong emotional intelligence can navigate challenges, communicate clearly, and respond to feedback—an invaluable trait in permanent roles where collaboration is key.
Proven Problem-Solving Skills
Whether it’s in healthcare, finance, housing, or another sector, the ability to solve problems independently is one of the top indicators of a great hire. Ask about:
Past challenges they’ve faced
How they approached problem-solving
The outcomes they delivered
Candidates who think critically and remain solution-focused often become leaders in the business.
A Willingness to Contribute Beyond the Job Description
In permanent positions, you want team members who go above and beyond. Great hires:
Suggest improvements
Support colleagues
Represent the company well
This proactive mindset is what sets apart a good hire from a great one.
How a Recruitment Agency Can Help
It’s one thing to know what makes a great hire—but finding that person is a different challenge altogether.
That’s where working with a trusted recruitment agency like Service Care Solutions makes a difference. We don’t just match CVs with job descriptions. We take time to understand your business, values, and long-term goals—then connect you with the relevant candidates who will help you grow. As a multi-sector recruitment agency, we bring deep sector knowledge to every placement,a nd whether you’re recruiting in Preston, the North West, or across the UK, our reach and experience make us your ideal partner for your permanent recruitment solutions.
If you're hiring for a permanent job or growing your team, get in touch with the friendly experts at Service Care Solutions. We're proud to be a trusted recruitment agency in Preston, helping businesses across the UK find the talent they need to thrive.
Let's getsocial...