The Half-Million Dollar Turnaround: How One Failed Candidate Changed Everything
"Recruiting is frankly a disaster"
That's how Mario Tucker, operations leader at a growing home care company, described his hiring situation. His team was stuck in a time-sucking loop: months spent chasing candidates who wouldn't work out.
Schedulers and recruiters, the roles that keep everything running, had become their hiring nightmare.
"We actually had a small inside team, plus in-person recruiters. But finding more people? Brutal. It'd take us several months just to find someone decent, and then they'd bomb out."
When Hey Foster sent their worst candidate
When Hey Foster reached out, Mario was skeptical. Then they sent over their first candidate.
"He didn't know what he was applying for. Just not the best candidate," Mario admits. "Most people would've ended it there."
But here's where things got interesting. Hey Foster didn't ghost or make excuses. Instead, they owned it.
"Sometimes it's about how you handle mistakes. We actually stopped working together for a bit, but they were politely persistent. We gave them another shot, and they completely exceeded expectations."
That response to failure? That's what sealed the deal.
The turnaround happens fast
Within weeks—not months—Hey Foster filled positions that had been open forever. But it wasn't just speed.
"I was shocked we didn't hit more snags," Mario laughs. "The quality blew me away."
Here's what flipped:
Before:
Several months to fill roles
Local hires that frequently flamed out
Time hemorrhaging on candidate screening
After:
Roles filled in weeks
Every hire stuck
Candidates showed up pre-screened and ready to contribute
Then came the real shocker: $500,000+ in payroll savings. From just six hires.
The unexpected advantage
What caught Mario off guard wasn't just money saved. It was what they gained.
"These remote workers get technology in a way our local hires don't. They have to adapt fast because they're not coming into an office. It's actually a huge advantage."
The offshore talent didn't just handle work better, they handled change better. New tools. New processes. No problem.
When the numbers hit
The impact spread everywhere:
Operations ran smoother
Care quality improved with consistent client touchpoints
Team productivity soared
Company culture strengthened
"We probably saved half a million in payroll across six people. Easily," Mario calculates. "And that's not counting the time saved."
But money wasn't everything. "Our remote team elevated the quality of care we deliver. More consistent touchpoints. Better operational support."
The verdict
"You guys are quick, but you bring in people who are vetted. No wasted time. Every hire has been solid," Mario reflects. "Compared to headhunters and staffing services? This has been the best experience, hands down."
His advice to others? "As long as they're not competing with me in my area, they should absolutely try this." Mario jokes.
What started as a gamble on an unfamiliar approach became a game-changing transformation. Six hires. $500K saved. A recruiting problem turned into a competitive advantage.
Mario's parting shot? "Your job looks impossible, but you make it look easy. And honestly? We wish we'd found you sooner."
Ready to turn your recruiting headaches into competitive advantages? Connect with Hey Foster for a consultation.