Replace a member of staff
Whether someone has resigned or you are planning ahead, we will help you find the right long-term replacement without compromising on quality.
Explore Permanent RecruitmentFOR EMPLOYERS
Recruitment starts with understanding your business.
Finding the right person takes more than matching skills to a job description. We take the time to understand your business, your team and what success looks like, so every candidate we introduce has been assessed against what really matters.
How can we help?
Every business faces different recruitment challenges. Whether you are replacing a key employee, expanding your team or need people quickly, we will help you choose the right recruitment approach.
Recruit for growth
From recruiting one person to building an entire team, we will help you create a recruitment plan that supports your business as it grows.
Discuss Your Hiring PlansNeed people quickly?
Temporary and contract recruitment support can help keep your business moving when workloads increase, projects begin or cover is required.
Explore Temporary RecruitmentNot sure where to start?
You do not need to have every detail finalised before speaking to us. We will help you shape the brief, review the market and decide the best way forward.
Speak to a ConsultantHow we work
We believe recruitment starts with understanding your business. Before we begin searching, we take the time to understand the role, your organisation and what success should look like.
We challenge the brief.
Good recruitment starts with asking the right questions. If the salary, responsibilities, timescale or expectations are likely to make the vacancy difficult to fill, we will tell you. Honest advice at the beginning helps avoid wasted time later.
We send fewer, better CVs.
Our aim is not to overwhelm you with applications. Every candidate we introduce is assessed against the agreed brief, so your shortlist remains focused, relevant and worth your time.
We stay involved.
From the first briefing through interviews, offers and onboarding, you will have a consultant managing the process, keeping everyone informed and helping maintain momentum.
We would rather introduce three candidates worth interviewing than thirty CVs you have to reject.
Recruitment services built around your needs.
Every vacancy is different. Some businesses need a permanent addition to the team, while others need short-term support or specialist expertise for a defined period. We will help you choose the approach that best suits the requirement.
Permanent Recruitment
Recruit long-term team members who have been assessed against the role, the working environment and what your business needs from the appointment.
Permanent RecruitmentTemporary Recruitment
Access flexible staffing support for absence, seasonal demand, changing workloads and urgent operational requirements.
Temporary RecruitmentContract Recruitment
Bring specialist skills and project experience into your business for a defined period.
Contract RecruitmentWhat every Howard James shortlist includes
A CV only tells part of the story. Before we introduce a candidate, we discuss the details that influence whether the opportunity is genuinely right for both sides.
- Relevant experience reviewed
- Assessed against the agreed brief
- Motivation for moving discussed
- Salary expectations confirmed
- Availability and notice period confirmed
- Practical suitability considered
- Consultant observations provided
- Relevant concerns discussed honestly
We do not introduce candidates simply because they have the right keywords on their CV. We introduce people we believe are genuinely worth your time.
What working with Howard James looks like
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Understand the vacancy
We learn about the role, the team, your business and what success should look like.
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Test the brief against the market
We discuss salary, candidate availability, expectations and any likely recruitment challenges.
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Agree the approach
We confirm the priorities, recruitment service, terms and communication plan.
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Search and assess
We advertise, search, approach and speak with relevant candidates.
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Present a focused shortlist
You receive relevant candidates with clear consultant observations.
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Support the hire
We coordinate interviews, manage feedback, support the offer and remain involved through onboarding.
A stronger brief leads to a stronger shortlist.
You do not need everything completed before contacting us, but the following details help a recruitment campaign begin well.
- Job title and responsibilities
- Salary or rate
- Working hours and location
- Benefits
- Reporting line
- Essential and desirable experience
- Interview availability
- Preferred start date
Recruitment expertise across key sectors
Our consultants recruit across a range of specialist and business-critical functions, combining market knowledge with a practical understanding of each vacancy.
Frequently asked questions
What information do you need to begin recruiting?
We will usually discuss the role, responsibilities, salary or rate, working arrangements, required experience, interview process and preferred start date. You do not need to have every detail finalised before contacting us.
How quickly can you begin working on a vacancy?
Once we have discussed the requirement and agreed the recruitment approach and terms, we can begin the search. The likely timescale will depend on the role, market and type of recruitment required.
Do you recruit across the whole UK?
Yes. Howard James supports employers and candidates across the UK.
What is the difference between permanent, temporary and contract recruitment?
Permanent recruitment is used for long-term appointments. Temporary recruitment provides flexible staffing support, while contract recruitment is generally used for specialist or project-based work over a defined period.
How are candidates assessed before they are introduced?
Our consultants speak with candidates and assess their experience, motivation, expectations, availability and suitability against the agreed vacancy brief before deciding whether to introduce them.
When are recruitment fees and terms agreed?
Recruitment fees and terms are discussed and agreed before work begins on the vacancy.
Can you help us decide what salary to offer?
Yes. We can discuss the role, market conditions and likely candidate expectations to help you assess whether the proposed salary or rate is realistic.
Can we speak with a consultant before committing to a recruitment campaign?
Yes. The first step can simply be a conversation about your vacancy, hiring challenge or recruitment plans.
Let us start with a conversation.
You do not need a finished job description or a final salary figure. Tell us what is happening in your business and one of our consultants will call you to discuss the requirement and help you decide the best way forward.
Ready to talk about your recruitment?
Whether the vacancy is urgent, difficult to fill or still taking shape, start with a conversation.