Blog - Howard James Recruitment

Why Candidate Screening Matters More Than Ever

There’s been a lot of noise this week around vetting, accountability, and who knew what… and when. Without getting into politics, it does highlight something we see every day in recruitment. Screening matters. Because on the surface, a candidate can look perfect. Strong CV. Relevant experience. Ticks all the boxes. But recruitment isn’t about surface…

Payroll & HRIS Officer Opportunity in Cheshire | Take the Next Step in Your Career

Payroll & HRIS Officer Job in Northwich, Cheshire If you’re an experienced payroll professional or HR systems specialist looking for your next move, this Payroll & HRIS Officer job in Cheshire offers the perfect blend of responsibility, variety and career progression. At Howard James Recruitment, we’re proud to be supporting a highly regarded organisation in…

Tuesday Focus: Keeping Recruitment Moving

Tuesday 14th April. This is where the week starts to take shape. Monday is planning, Tuesday is execution. You sit down, go through your notes, review where everything stands. Who’s progressing. Who needs chasing. What could slip if you don’t stay on it. Because this is the reality of recruitment. It’s not just about making calls.…

What Rory’s Masters Win Teaches Us About Recruitment

Monday 13th April. And Rory’s done it again. Back-to-back Masters wins. That’s elite. Only four players have ever managed it. And that tells you everything you need to know about how hard it is to stay at the top. Because winning once is one thing. Doing it again, with all the pressure, expectation, and eyes…

Masters Momentum & Grand National Picks: A Big Day Ahead

Saturday 11th April. And it’s shaping up to be a big one. The Masters Rory heading into the weekend at The Masters with a six-shot lead. That’s serious control. In golf, like recruitment, momentum is everything. When you’re ahead, confident, and in rhythm… things just flow. Decisions feel easier. Execution sharpens. You’re not chasing, you’re…

Ladies Day at Aintree: Networking, Racing & A Bit of Luck

Ladies Day at Aintree. And what a day for it. Great atmosphere. Smart outfits. Plenty of laughs. But if you work in recruitment, you never fully switch off. Because days like this aren’t just about the racing. They’re about people. Catching up with clients. Bumping into candidates. Having those relaxed conversations you don’t always get…

When the Sun’s Out… But You’re in the Office

Wednesday 8th April. And the weather is unreal. The kind of day where you really don’t want to be saying, “stuck in the office.” Blue skies. Warm. Proper spring day. And you just know… everyone’s thinking the same thing. Because a day in the life of a recruitment consultant isn’t just about pressure and pace.…

Bank Holiday Monday: The Calm Before the Recruitment Storm

Bank holiday Monday……… ………Out on the course at The Mere Golf & Country Club, trying to switch off… and mostly succeeding. But if you’ve worked in recruitment long enough, you know what’s coming next. Because while today feels relaxed, tomorrow tells a very different story. Candidates have had three days to think. Think about their…

Easter Sunday Reflection: Switching Off… Properly (Almost)

Easter Sunday. One of the few days where things genuinely slow down. No inbox pressure. No “just a quick call.” No last-minute surprises. Just a bit of breathing space. And if you’re in recruitment, you learn to appreciate that. Because most weeks, it’s go, go, go. Calls, candidates, clients, targets. Always something moving, always something…

Good Friday… But the Phone Still Rings

Good Friday. Supposed to be a day off. offee in hand, feet up, telling myself I’ll properly switch off. Then the phone goes. A candidate I’ve been working with all week. “Just wanted to check in…” And that’s it. You’re back in. Not fully. Not sat at a desk. But mentally, you’re there. Because recruitment…