Hiring too much? Maybe the problem isn’t recruitment, but retention

In Human Resources, many companies face the same vicious cycle: they post job openings, interview candidates, hire… and within a few weeks, they start all over again. Sounds familiar? If your company is constantly recruiting for operational roles, maybe it’s time to pause and ask: Do I really need to hire more… or should I focus on retaining better?

Retention is more strategic than hiring

Contrary to popular belief, the challenge isn’t always about attracting talent. Sometimes, the real issue is that talent doesn’t stay.

When turnover is high, the HR department turns into a factory of repetitive processes that add little long-term value. All the effort goes into filling vacancies — and very little into understanding why people are leaving.

Copying isn’t a strategy

Many organizations fall into the trap of copying what neighboring companies do: if they offer bonuses, we offer bonuses; if they implement short Fridays, so do we.But borrowed formulas rarely work as-is, because each company has its own culture — and employees with different needs.

Retention requires a custom strategy, built on data, observation, and empathy. It’s not about offering “more.” It’s about offering what’s right for your people: clarity in their role, fair working conditions, a manager who listens, real growth opportunities, and above all, a culture worth staying for.

What do we gain by improving retention?

• Lower recruitment and training costs

• A better work environment and higher productivity

• Increased sense of belonging and team commitment

• And as a positive side effect: hiring becomes easier, because current employees recommend and attract the right talent

HR must look beyond the entry process

At InterHuman, we’ve seen it for over 35 years: when a client retains their operational staff well, their HR team breathes, plans, and grows.It’s not about stopping recruitment — it’s about balancing both efforts. Because hiring without retention is like filling a leaky bucket: no matter how hard you try, it never gets full.

Manuel González