• Recruitment Smarts #1227

    Recruitment Smarts #1227
    A Note from the Editor
    This week’s articles all circle back to the same theme: recruiters trying to make things work in a world that isn’t getting any simpler. From the renewed interest in full‑cycle recruiting to Google’s latest search changes, there’s plenty here that affects how we show up for clients and candidates.
    We’ve also included a smart look at alternatives to LinkedIn Recruiter, plus a practical reminder that engagement isn’t something you f
  • Why Presenteeism Is Becoming A Retention Problem For Recruiters

    Why Presenteeism Is Becoming A Retention Problem For Recruiters
    Recruiters spend most of their energy on the front end of the job: finding candidates, filling vacancies, getting people through the door. What happens to those people six months later tends to become someone else’s problem. But a shift in how remote employees handle illness is quietly reshaping retention, and it is showing up in data that recruitment professionals would do well to read closely. Presenteeism, the habit of working while unwell, has not disappeared with remote work. It has g
  • Restrictive Covenants Should Grow With Your Business

    Restrictive Covenants Should Grow With Your Business
    This post by recLAW is part of our blog series, “The One Thing Recruitment Leaders Should Change Right Now”.
    Growth is the goal for most recruitment businesses. More consultants, bigger clients, new divisions and stronger revenues are all signs that an agency is moving in the right direction. However, while recruitment businesses often evolve quickly, employment contracts and restrictive covenants are regularly left behind.
    One of the most common things we see at recLAW is recruitmen
  • Why Specialist E-Commerce Tech Roles Are the Hardest Vacancies to Fill in 2026

    Why Specialist E-Commerce Tech Roles Are the Hardest Vacancies to Fill in 2026
    Recruitment agencies across the United Kingdom have noticed a sharp shift in the types of technical roles their e-commerce clients need filled. Gone are the days when a general PHP developer could handle everything a mid-sized online shop required. The demand now centres on candidates who understand specific platforms, specific hosting environments, and specific data management systems at a granular level.
    Data from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation consistently shows that technology
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  • The Hidden Cost Trap: The One Change Recruitment Leaders Must Make Now

    The Hidden Cost Trap: The One Change Recruitment Leaders Must Make Now
    This post by Jenny Underhay, Head of Sales – QUBA Solutions is part of our blog series, “The One Thing Recruitment Leaders Should Change Right Now”.
    If I could get every recruitment agency to change one thing in the next six months, it would be this: Stop evaluating suppliers, systems and operational partners on headline cost alone.
    Because right now, too many agencies are making important business decisions based on the number that looks best on the first page, rather than the
  • 40% of Jobseekers are Abandoning Applications Because of AI Screening

    40% of Jobseekers are Abandoning Applications Because of AI Screening
    More than a third of recruiters say AI tools are now causing them to miss out on strong candidates, as employers increasingly rely on automation to manage high volumes of applications.  
    That’s according to new research from CV-Library, one of the UK’s largest job sites, which shows 83% of recruiters use AI in hiring, with 28% relying on it to screen applications. But 35%&nbs
  • Recruitment Smarts #1226

    Recruitment Smarts #1226
    A Note from the Editor
    The TEAM Conference 2026 is almost here.
    Taking place on June 6th, and with a programme built around practical learning, peer insight, and the realities of running and growing a modern recruitment business, it’s an ideal moment to step back and sharpen your strategy for the year ahead.
    Louise, will be hosting a Business Development Panel, bringing her trademark clarity and no‑nonsense guidance on winning and retaining clients in 2026. She hopes to see you ther
  • Visibility Before Velocity: The One Thing Agency Leaders Should Fix Right Now

    Visibility Before Velocity: The One Thing Agency Leaders Should Fix Right Now
    This post by Tracker is part of our blog series, “The One Thing Recruitment Leaders Should Change Right Now”.
    If I could get every recruitment agency to change one thing in the next six months, it wouldn’t be their tech stack, their sourcing strategy, or their pricing model. It would be this: fix your visibility before you chase velocity. 
    Most agency leaders I talk to are focused on doing more with the team they already have. Fewer tools, less noise, and a cleaner path fr
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  • Cash Flow in Recruitment: Why Working Capital is a Barrier to Growth

    Cash Flow in Recruitment: Why Working Capital is a Barrier to Growth
    Cash flow is the real engine of a recruitment business — not busy pipelines, not record months, and definitely not “more activity.” This 3R deep‑dive breaks down why agencies stall when money moves too slowly, the hidden traps inside payment terms, and the practical steps leaders can take to stabilise revenue before chasing growth.
    Read the full article here.
    The post Cash Flow in Recruitment: Why Working Capital is a Barrier to Growth appeared first on UK Recruiter.
  • Recruitment Smarts #1225

    A Note from the Editor
    One thing the recent DJAx Awards reminded me of is just how many brilliant niche and specialist job boards there are in our industry – far beyond the usual big names that tend to dominate conversations.
    For recruiters, that matters. The best candidates are often found in highly engaged communities and specialist platforms where audiences are more targeted, passionate and relevant – not simply on the biggest sites with the largest traffic numbers.
    The awards we
  • The One Thing Recruiters Should Change Right Now

    This post by Simplicity in Business is part of our blog series, “The One Thing Recruitment Leaders Should Change Right Now”.
    Stop Waiting to Get Paid Like It’s “Just Part of Recruitment”
    One of the biggest changes recruitment leaders need to make over the next six months is changing their mindset around cash flow.
    Too many agencies still accept slow client payment terms, delayed invoices, and cash flow pressure as “just part of the industry”, but in real
  • UK Recruitment Market Snapshot – May 2026

    Press release from QUBA Solutions
    Temporary hiring gains momentum as employers prioritise flexibility
    The latest recruitment and economic data shows a slightly different picture to the cautious stabilisation we saw earlier this year.
    The UK recruitment market is still far from a full recovery, but one area is beginning to stand out more clearly: temporary and contract hiring.
    Across the latest reports from S&P Global and KPMG/REC, employers are increasingly leaning towards flexible workforce
  • Skills‑Based Hiring Takes Hold in the UK And Recruiters Are Leading the Charge

    UK organisations are accelerating their shift toward skills‑based hiring, and specialist recruiters are emerging as the driving force behind this transformation. According to new findings from Michael Page’s 2026 Talent Trends report, 66% of UK organisations have now adopted a skills‑focused approach, a clear sign that employers are prioritising long‑term value and certainty in an unpredictable labour market.
    At the same time, candidates are signalling strong support for
  • Recruitment Smarts #1224

    A Note from the Editor
    We’re pleased to share news from our partners at 3R, who have become the first back-office and funding provider to partner with SafeRec.
    The partnership focuses on improving payroll compliance, transparency and real-time reporting across the recruitment supply chain at a time when agencies are facing increasing scrutiny around compliance and employment legislation.
    Both businesses say the collaboration is aimed at helping recruiters reduce risk, improve visibility a
  • The One Thing Recruitment Leaders Should Change Right Now – Just Recruit

    This post by Erika Clifford of Just Recruit is part of our blog series, “The One Thing Recruitment Leaders Should Change Right Now”
     
    The one thing recruitment leaders should change right now is how they use their CRM – not just as a system of record but as a system of insight.
    Most agencies already have the tools. They can log CVs, track activity and manage pipelines. On paper, everything looks “in the system”, but in reality, the CRM is often treated as an ad
  • A Blog Series – The One Thing Recruitment Leaders Should Change Right Now

    Every recruitment leader knows the industry is shifting fast, faster than most teams can comfortably keep up with. In the last few years, agencies have been forced to rethink how they win clients, attract candidates, build teams, use tech, and differentiate in a crowded market. But with so many moving parts, it’s hard to know which change actually matters most right now.
    That’s exactly what our new blog series, The One Thing Recruitment Leaders Should Change Right Now, is here to ans
  • Recruitment Smarts #1223

    A Note from the Editor
    This week’s edition dives into the trends shaping recruiter performance right now. From smarter B2B social media and full‑cycle optimisation to the rise of AI applicants and what candidates really think about AI‑driven interviews. We’ve also included insights on cash flow, sustainability, RecOps, reputation, and how to turn everyday wins into standout marketing content.
    PS, if you missed Louise’s Webinar with Erika Clifford on How to Make You
  • Just Recruit – How to make your CRM the Solution, Instead of a Problem – VIDEO

    This week Louise was joined by her guest speaker, Erika Clifford, Founder of Just Recruit.The post Just Recruit – How to make your CRM the Solution, Instead of a Problem – VIDEO appeared first on UK Recruiter.
  • The Right to Rest: the Early May Bank Holiday and Why Time Off Still Matters

    Every year on the first Monday of May, Britain takes a collective breath. Roads quieten, offices empty, and for the day, the relentless pace of working life gives way to something older and more fundamental: the right to rest.
    The Early May Bank Holiday is far more than a convenient long weekend. It carries with it centuries of British history, and a message that remains as relevant today as ever.
    A holiday hard won
    The first Monday of May falls within a period the British Isles have marked as s
  • Recruitment Smarts #1222

    A Note from the Editor
    We’re launching a new series in May sharing real insights from and for UK recruitment leaders – and we’d love your input.
    The theme is: The One Thing Recruitment Leaders Should Change Right Now
    We’re looking specifically for agency owners and recruiters to share one clear insight (300–500 words max). We’ll feature the contributions on the UK Recruiter blog, and on the socials.
    If you’d like to take part, get in touch.In the newsle
  • Contractor vs. Employee Hiring in 2026: What Recruiters Need to Know

    As we navigate 2026, it is a known fact that traditional office boundaries have largely dissolved, replaced by an ecosystem of remote work and borderless hiring.
    For modern recruiters, it’s not only about finding the right talent, but it’s also about determining the most effective legal and operational framework to engage that talent.
    With global talent access now a standard expectation for scaling businesses, recruiters are finding themselves at a crossroads more often than before.
  • QUBA – The Service Fee Isn’t the Full Story – VIDEO

    This week Louise was joined by her guest speaker, Jenny Underhay, Head of Sales of QUBA.
    When recruiters look at funding, the focus usually lands on the percentage, but that’s rarely what causes problems later. In this episode, we unpack how recruitment funding actually works in day-to-day operations, where agencies tend to get caught out, and why service, process and visibility often matter more than the headline rate. From credit control and payroll continuity to growth limits and techn
  • Recruitment Smarts #1221

    A Note from the Editor
    Neil Carberry OBE has announced he will step down as Chief Executive of the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) this September, marking the end of a significant chapter for the organisation and the wider recruitment sector.
    In a personal LinkedIn post, Neil reflected on what he described as “the privilege of my life,” highlighting the strength of the REC today – from its brand and membership to the leadership team that will guide it towards
  • UK Recruitment Market Snapshot from Quba – April 2026

    MARKET SNAPSHOT: 5 Key Numbers
    49.2 Permanent placements index (still declining, but at the slowest rate in 3 years)
    48.4 Temporary billings index (decline easing month-on-month)
    46 Vacancy index (falling, but at the slowest pace in 10 months)
    45.6 Construction PMI (continued contraction, led by weak housing demand)
    50.5 Services PMI (still growing, but at its weakest level in 11 months)
    Stability emerging… but confidence still fragile
    March’s data paints a picture that most recruit
  • recLAW celebrates 5 years of supporting recruiters through disputes and unpaid fees

    recLAW is marking five years of supporting the recruitment industry, having worked with agencies across the UK to resolve disputes and recover unpaid fees.
     
    During that time, the firm has handled more than 3,400 disputes and recovered over £13.3 million. Their largest single recovery stands at £438,000.
     
     
    The milestone reflects not only growth, but the scale and consistency of the challenges recruiters continue to face when it comes to getting paid.
     
    Across th
  • Recruitment Smarts #1220

    A Note from the Editor
    This week’s articles highlight a recruitment industry sharpening its tools for a more demanding, efficiency‑driven market. From stabilising but cautious hiring conditions to the growing need for smarter digital infrastructure, the landscape is shifting toward precision, clarity, and sustainable speed.
    Our lead articles explore market recovery signals, why most recruiting websites fail to convert, how AI‑powered sourcing is reshaping talent pipelines, and
  • Q1 2026 job vacancies up on prior year, but March numbers suggest sharp impact of Iran war

    Total job vacancies up 7.6% in Q1 2026, compared to Q1 prior year.
    But March vacancies almost flat YoY as global uncertainty impacts hiring confidence.7th April – Business hiring confidence showed a strong increase in the first three months of 2026, with the number of job vacancies advertised up 7.6% compared to the same period in 2025 according to the latest Labour Market Insight report from CV-Library, one of the UK’s lar
  • How to Measure Customer Satisfaction in Recruitment

    In recruitment, customer satisfaction, often referred to as client satisfaction, directly impacts retention, repeat placements and referrals. For ambitious agencies, it isn’t just a “nice to have”, it’s a critical strategic pillar.
    Agencies that want to scale quickly while maintaining service standards must prioritise client satisfaction at every stage of growth. Without it, rapid expansion can erode the relationships that fuel long-term success. In this blog 3R discusses
  • Recruitment Smarts #1219

    Recruitment Smarts #1219
    A Note from the Editor
    This week’s issue highlights a recruitment landscape where speed, trust, and clarity matter more than ever. Top businesses are refining how they attract talent, new agencies are navigating essential protections, and candidates are pushing back against misleading job ads. At the same time, hiring teams face rising skill expectations, weaker assessment signals, and growing pressure to deliver faster without compromising quality.
    We also explore the hidden costs of fre
  • Why 89% of Firms Waste Millions on Contractor Hiring: New Report

    Why 89% of Firms Waste Millions on Contractor Hiring: New Report
    From inefficient onboarding to budget bleed: Data-backed solutions to improve the trifecta of client-contractor-agency relations and ROI.Whether you’re a hiring manager struggling to build strong relationships with outsourced talent or a contractor tired of working with companies with no sense of accountability when it comes to handling freelancer relations, this is for you.Read the full report here.
    The post Why 89% of Firms Waste Millions on Contractor Hiring: New Report appeared first o

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