Why You’re Struggling to Hire Bid Talent (and How to Fix It)
If you’re finding it hard to hire strong bid professionals right now, you’re not alone. Whether it’s a Bid Writer, Bid Manager, or Proposal Coordinator, quality candidates in this niche market are in high demand - and short supply.
As a recruiter who specialises in bid recruitment, I speak to hiring managers daily who are frustrated by a lack of suitable applicants, slow processes, and declining offer acceptance rates. The good news? These challenges are fixable. Let’s break it down.
1. The Demand Has Outpaced Supply
The bid talent pool isn’t growing fast enough to meet demand. With more companies investing in formal bid functions to chase larger contracts, the best professionals are getting snapped up quickly - often before they ever hit the open market.
💡 Fix:
Be proactive, not reactive. Build talent pipelines in advance, and work with a recruiter who already knows the hidden market—those not actively applying but open to opportunities.
2. Your Job Description Is Too Generic
“Strong communicator,” “team player,” “results-driven” - these phrases appear in almost every job post. But bid professionals are looking for specifics:
What sectors will they be bidding in?
What’s the bid success rate and team size?
What tools or systems do you use?
💡 Fix:
Make your job ad speak directly to the bid world. Include target contract values, industries, proposal volumes, and growth opportunities.
3. Your Process Is Too Slow
Good bid candidates are often interviewing with multiple employers. If your process takes 3+ weeks, chances are you've already lost your top pick to a faster-moving competitor.
💡 Fix:
Streamline your interview process. Pre-book time slots, avoid unnecessary rounds, and aim to move from CV to offer in under two weeks if possible.
4. You’re Underestimating Salary Expectations
The market has shifted - especially post-COVID. Bid professionals know their value. Companies that stick to outdated salary bands are often left wondering why offers are rejected or ghosted.
💡 Fix:
Benchmark salaries regularly. A recruiter with current market insight can help you stay competitive. Also consider flexibility, remote work, and bonus structures as part of the offer.
5. You’re Only Looking for Unicorns
Many job specs are asking for:
5+ years of experience
APMP certification
Sector-specific knowledge
Proven 80%+ win rate
Finding one person with all of this is like chasing a unicorn.
💡 Fix:
Prioritize the must-haves over the nice-to-haves. A great writer with the right mindset and commercial awareness can often outperform a sector expert with no flexibility.
6. You’re Not Selling the Role
In a competitive market, candidates are interviewing you as much as you’re interviewing them. If your business doesn't clearly communicate why someone should join—career development, strong leadership, meaningful work - they’ll go where that story is stronger.
💡 Fix:
Tell your story. Why do people stay at your company? What’s exciting about this bid role? Include testimonials, success stats, and a personal touch during interviews.
Final Thoughts
Hiring bid talent is tough right now - but it's far from impossible. The key is understanding what today’s candidates want, how the market is moving, and where you might need to adapt.
🔎 Need support?
As a specialist in bid recruitment, I help businesses like yours attract, engage, and retain high-performing professionals who don’t just write bids - but win them.
Let’s chat. Whether you're hiring now or just planning ahead, I’m happy to share insights and advice.