Searching Smarter Podcast: What’s Driving Talent Trends in 2025?

Every year at Selby Jennings, we survey thousands of financial sciences & services professionals across the USA to benchmark salaries, the benefits they receive, and which factors would cause them to leave their company or entice them to join a new firm.

This episode of the Searching Smarter podcast kicks off a brand new mini-series unpacking the sector-specific findings of the 2025 Talent Report, built from the insights gained through this survey. Over the next four weeks, host Jesse Skaff will sit down with Selby Jennings experts from across the business to explore hiring trends, market shifts, and candidate behavior across key verticals. Each episode offers a focused look into what’s driving decisions and movement in today’s talent landscape.

To kick things off, Jesse is joined by Ben Hodzic, Head of Selby Jennings USA, for a broad overview of the biggest themes from this year’s report. Together, they unpack:

• What professionals really thought about their 2024 bonuses
• The evolving expectations around return-to-office policies
• What hiring trends and job mobility look like in 2025
• What the next phase of flexibility looks like and why it matters to retention
• How to make data-driven decisions in a market that’s both cautious and competitive

Why this matters

The decisions firms make around pay, flexibility, and progression today will determine their ability to attract and retain tomorrow’s top performers. Ben offers actionable insight for both sides of the table - tune in to this episode to learn more. And after you listen, download the full 2025 Talent Report for deeper insights and data.

Want to learn more?

At the Searching Smarter podcast, we speak to the brightest and boldest minds in financial sciences & services. From talent acquisition leaders and hiring managers to world-class professionals, we delve into all the ways they leverage top talent to drive their businesses forward. Listeners will walk away with expert guidance on how to attract, acquire and retain high-performing teams, as well as what it takes to be a part of one.

It's available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.​ So listen, learn, and let us know what you think.

Meet the speakers

Jesse Skaff (host) & Ben Hodzic