In a time when AI-generated resumes flood inboxes, hiring the right candidate can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. Enter Justin Dixon, a seasoned recruitment expert who launched Hire Tomorrow in early 2020 — just before the world shut down. On the PowerTalkShow, Justin walks us through his inspiring entrepreneurial journey, the real challenges facing small businesses in hiring today, and why trust, transparency, and technology all matter when building high-performance teams.
From Corporate Comfort to Entrepreneurial Risk
Justin began his career at a large recruitment firm in 2006 and steadily climbed the talent acquisition ladder. But in January 2020, driven by a desire for autonomy and deeper client relationships, he stepped out of his corporate role to start his own firm. “I wouldn’t advise anyone to start a recruitment company just before a global pandemic,” he laughs. Yet, Hire Tomorrow survived — and thrived.
The Hire Tomorrow Model
What sets Hire Tomorrow apart? Simplicity and personal touch. Justin manages each engagement directly, steering clear of handing off roles to inexperienced recruiters — a common frustration with larger firms. He focuses on private equity firms and their portfolio companies, offering small businesses the tools to compete with Fortune 500 hiring resources.
“The process doesn’t change whether I’m hiring a CEO or an accountant. I’m in it personally — that’s what makes the difference.”
Post-COVID Recruitment & the Global Landscape
COVID unlocked hiring without borders — and also a flood of complexity. While businesses appreciated wider talent pools, uncertainty now clouds every major hiring decision. Justin notes that global economic and political instability is causing leaders to pause major investments, including headcount expansion.
“People aren’t saying no. They’re just saying, not yet.”
The AI Paradox
Ironically, the AI revolution has created new headaches for recruiters. From AI-generated resumes to bot-driven job applications, employers now face hundreds of identical, generic submissions. Justin helps filter the noise and prevent bad hiring decisions. At the same time, he’s adopting AI tools himself to streamline his workflow — but with caution.
“AI can be amazing, but only if it’s trained and integrated with intention. It shouldn’t be implemented just to keep up with the Joneses.”
Challenges, Growth & Lessons
One of Justin’s biggest scaling challenges? Saying no. In a volatile market, turning down projects is hard. But Justin sticks to his principles: work only on roles where he knows he can deliver.
“All money is green, but not all revenue is good revenue.”
If he could do it all over again? “I might have gone all-in during the boom of 2021,” he reflects. But there are no regrets. Hire Tomorrow has carved out a niche as a trusted hiring partner for high-growth startups. And Justin is proud of what he’s built — with quality, not scale, as his north star.