Let’s be honest, if you’re hiring in the Highlands, the Borders, or anywhere outside of the central belt, it can sometimes feel like the talent pool is much smaller.
But that doesn’t mean your finance roles should go unfilled or under-resourced, and we know because we’ve had excellent success finding to talent for businesses outside the central belt in the last year.
At iMultiply we work with employers across Scotland, from small accountancy practices to manufacturing sites and third-sector organisations in regional hubs. Here’s what we’ve seen works when it comes to attracting strong finance professionals outside the Central Belt.
Talk about the lifestyle benefits
Whether it’s a lower cost of living, better work-life balance, outdoor access, or less commuting stress, many candidates want to relocate, they just don’t know where to start looking.
Make sure your job ads and interviews include clear, compelling messaging about what makes your location appealing. (And if you’re unsure, we’ll help you tell that story).
Offer flexibility to top talent where you can
While full remote roles are harder in finance, even small offers of hybrid working (e.g. 2–3 days from home) can widen your talent pool significantly. Not only is this the standard that most talent will be used to by now, but candidates are increasingly choosing roles based on flexibility even over salary.
Broaden the search strategically
We often advise employers in further fields to:
- Tap into returners to the area (e.g. people who grew up there but moved away)
- Target mid-level professionals in cities looking to relocate for family or lifestyle reasons
- Promote clear development or progression pathways to attract passive talent
Work with a specialist who knows the region
Generic job boards won’t cut it. Partnering with a recruiter who understands the local market, and already has relationships with relevant candidates, can dramatically speed up your hiring process.
We’ve helped businesses in the Borders, the Highlands, across Fife and Perthshire and more. We secure high-calibre candidates by matching not just skills, but values and goals.
You don’t have to lower your expectations – just adjust your approach
Hiring outside Scotland’s major cities comes with challenges sometimes, but with the right positioning, flexibility, and recruitment support, you can attract the talent your business needs.
Need help hiring in a hard-to-fill area? Let’s have a chat. We’re here to make rural and regional finance recruitment feel easy.
