225. The Cost of Experience: Is It Worth Paying More for a Senior Hire?

You thought paying top dollar would take something off your plate, but here you are... staring at the payroll report wondering why things aren’t moving faster. In this episode, we’re breaking down a common leadership dilemma: should you hire someone with experience who can (theoretically) hit the ground running or bring in someone with potential and invest in their growth?

Jackie unpacks the pros and cons of each approach, shares tips for how to assess which option is right for your business, and offers a candid look at why hiring experienced people isn’t a magic fix. You’ll learn how to set realistic expectations, structure a proper onboarding timeline, and align your hiring strategy with your budget, business stage, and team development goals.

Whether you’re hiring your first leadership team or adding junior roles with room to grow, this episode gives you the framework you need to make intentional, effective hiring decisions—without the second guessing or sticker shock.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• [1:15] The difference between “buying” vs. “building” talent
• [3:00] When it makes sense to buy talent (and the risks to watch for)
• [7:40] Why even experienced hires need a real onboarding plan
• [10:00] Managing your expectations during the ramp-up phase
• [13:10] When to consider building talent from within
• [15:35] Signs you’re ready to invest in mentoring and development
• [18:45] A reality check on budgets and market compensation
• [21:15] What to do when the candidate market doesn’t match your expectations
• [24:00] Using both strategies in tandem as your business grows
• [26:10] Wrap up: how to avoid costly hiring mistakes by choosing the right approach

Resources mentioned:

🎯 Download the Hiring & HR Essentials Playbook – Free Notion guide with hiring rubrics, onboarding templates, and HR foundations to get your systems dialed in.

📌 Connect with Jackie on LinkedIn