The Paradox of Talent Acquisition vs. Retention: Why some companies Offer Big Hikes to New Hires but Neglect Loyal Employees!

Shashwath Shenoy
thedatalchemist
Published in
4 min readMay 18, 2024

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In today’s hyper-competitive job market, companies are willing to offer substantial salary hikes to attract new talent, sometimes ranging from 50% to even 100%, often based on a brief 30–45 minute interview. Yet, paradoxically, these same organizations often neglect their existing, hardworking employees, refusing to grant even a 20% raise to those who have proven their dedication and value over the years. This paradox raises critical questions about the sustainability of such practices and their long-term impact on company culture and performance.

Photo by Alexander Mils on Unsplash

The Recruitment-Retention Disconnect

The Allure of New Talent

When companies seek to fill critical roles, especially in tech-driven industries, the pressure to attract the best candidates can lead to aggressive salary offers. Here are a few reasons why companies might be inclined to offer large hikes to new hires:

  1. Skill Shortages: In fast-evolving fields like data engineering, the demand for specialized skills often outpaces supply. Companies are willing to pay a premium to secure top talent with the latest expertise.
  2. Immediate Impact: New hires are…

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Shashwath Shenoy
thedatalchemist

Experienced Data Engineering Leader with a passion for delivering scalable, efficient and high-performance data solutions.