Hiring guides
Guides to help you recruit smarter
Whether you're struggling to attract candidates, losing people too quickly or just want to sharpen your hiring process - these guides cover the issues employers ask us about most.
Speed of hireHow to Hire Staff Quickly in the UK
The steps that make the biggest difference to time-to-hire - without compromising on quality or rushing a decision you'll regret.
Read the guide → AttractionWhy You Can't Fill Your Vacancy (And How to Fix It)
The most common reasons roles go unfilled - and what you can do about each one, from salary to brief to search method.
Read the guide → RetentionHow to Reduce Staff Turnover in Your Business
Hiring well is only half the job. This guide covers the practical steps that keep your best people engaged and in the business longer.
Read the guide → Job descriptionsHow to Write a Job Description That Attracts Candidates
Most job descriptions underperform. Small changes to how you write and structure them can significantly improve the quality of applications.
Read the guide → Cost of hiringHow Much Does Recruitment Cost in the UK?
A clear breakdown of what recruitment actually costs - agency fees, advertising, internal time, and the hidden cost of a slow or failed hire.
Read the guide → Job advertisingWhy Your Job Ads Aren't Getting Applicants
If your vacancy isn't generating applications, the problem is usually one of a handful of things. This guide helps you diagnose and fix it.
Read the guide → Offer stageThe Real Reason Candidates Reject Job Offers
Offer rejections are more preventable than most employers think. Understanding why they happen is the first step to stopping them.
Read the guide →New from Howard James
Hiring soon? Ask us about Flex Fee
Flex Fee gives you the full permanent search - including passive candidates - with the fee spread equally across 12 weeks. If the hire doesn't work out before then, payments stop. You only pay for the time they were with you. No upfront lump sum, no rebate process.
Find out about Flex Fee →Our services
Ready to act on what you've read?
If any of these guides have highlighted a hiring challenge we can help with, here's where to go next.
Permanent Recruitment Full market search, active and passive candidates Flex Fee Recruitment Fee spread over 12 weeks, pay only for time worked Temporary Staffing Pre-screened temps available at short notice Contract Recruitment Specialists for projects and fixed-term roles Executive Search Confidential headhunt for senior appointments RPO Your recruitment function, managed by usWant to talk through your hiring challenge?
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