Grafham Walbancke

Working closely with clients makes all the difference in hiring. As a boutique firm, we’re fully engaged in the process. We don’t work on volume—we take the time to understand the people, culture, and vision of a company. That level of insight helps us bring the opportunity to life when speaking with candidates. It’s not just about skills. Personality, cultural fit, and long-term potential all matter. The right approach doesn’t just fill a role—it builds a stronger team. A focused, hands-on search leads to better hires. That’s what sets us apart.

A well-planned hiring process starts before the search even begins. The key is making sure the role is clearly defined from the start. When we take on a new search, we work closely with leadership to align on what the company really needs. Titles can mean different things at different organizations, so we break it down—where this person fits, what their impact should be, and how they’ll contribute to long-term growth. Sometimes a company comes in with a job description that looks clear on paper. But once we start discussing it, it becomes evident that adjustments are needed. That might mean refining the job scope, adjusting the profile, or ensuring expectations match the current market. If something isn’t quite right, we challenge it. We’ve seen businesses start with a narrow candidate profile, only to shift their approach once they understand the talent landscape. Getting this right before launching the search saves time and ensures we’re engaging with the right people from the start. Every hiring decision shapes the business long-term. Defining the role properly upfront helps companies avoid costly mistakes and build teams that can scale with the business.

A company’s ability to grow isn’t just about product, funding, or market opportunity. It depends on having the right people in place to execute the vision. We’ve worked with software companies at different stages of growth. Some had a structured hiring process from the start, while others had to adjust when early hires didn’t align with where the business was heading. Companies that take the time to define what success looks like in a role build stronger teams. It’s not just about a job title—it’s about ensuring the right skills, mindset, and adaptability for a fast-moving company. Others take a reactive approach, hiring to fill gaps as they go. That’s where challenges arise. Without aligning hiring with their growth stage, companies risk bringing in people who struggle in the environment or can’t scale with the business. Over time, these differences become clear. A well-built team brings stability, keeps momentum going, and strengthens company culture. The hiring decisions made today impact how a business will perform six months or even a year from now. A refined hiring strategy strengthens the foundation of a business, making growth smoother, more sustainable, and more scalable.

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We're #hiring a new Software Engineer in The Hague, South Holland. Apply today or share this post with your network.

Scaling a sales team isn’t just about adding headcount—it’s about making sure every new hire can thrive in the company’s environment. We recently worked with a high-growth software company expanding its sales team across multiple regions. Following a merger of multiple businesses, their team had different sales styles, processes, and expectations. They needed salespeople who could sell enterprise SaaS, manage long sales cycles, and close high-value contracts. The challenge was finding people who could succeed without rigid structures. Many candidates from large, established organizations were used to defined processes, support teams, and clear roadmaps. But in this company, success required adaptability, problem-solving, and the ability to drive results with less hand-holding. We worked with leadership to refine the hiring strategy—shifting the focus to candidates who could make decisions, handle change, and thrive in an evolving business. That shift made an immediate impact. The company built a stronger, more aligned sales team, improved deal values, and expanded into new markets while maintaining momentum. At Grafham Walbancke, we help companies refine their hiring strategy so their teams don’t just grow—they grow in the right direction.

A strong hiring process keeps candidates engaged from start to finish. When companies are responsive and involved, candidates stay motivated. Momentum matters, and so does showing that the hire is a priority. But when communication slows down or decision-makers take too long to respond, it affects the candidate’s decision. A poor experience can make even the best opportunity less appealing. This is more than just a job move—it’s their career, their future, and their family’s future. A structured, thoughtful hiring process makes all the difference.