Resources

Recruitment has a reputation problem. Most people have a story where they felt like a number, a CV was sent without permission, or a conversation suddenly turned pushy the moment money was involved. If that’s been your experience, you’re right to be cautious. But here’s the honest truth about how we’ve built Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions: I’d rather lose a fee...

Counteroffers are one of those moments where leadership gets tested. Handled well, they can save a key person and reset trust. Handled badly, they can create a bigger problem than the resignation itself: pay resentment, a wobble in team confidence, and a culture where people learn they only get valued when they threaten to leave. This guide is a practical,...

Are These Killing Your Ability to Hire? Most hiring issues are not “a candidate problem”. They are process problems. If you are struggling to land the people you actually want, here are three common culprits I see in professional hiring markets (legal and accountancy included). Use these as credible internal conversation starters, not as hard promises externally. 1) Speed wins...

Why tailoring your CV matters (and why good candidates get ignored) If you’re applying for roles and not getting traction, there’s a good chance it’s not your experience. It’s how your experience is being presented. We recently advertised for a Recruitment Consultant role and received 109 applications. A few people told us in messages or cover notes that they had...

Last week, I swapped CVs and interviews for something completely different: building new pages on the H-FTS website. No, I’m not rebranding as a web developer any time soon. But I did spend my evenings writing content, adding images, and even getting stuck into the HTML. And honestly? I really enjoyed it – especially knowing it will help more people...

By David Hawthorne-Finch, Managing Director at Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions Last Updated: 13 October 2025 If you’re an accountancy practice trying to hire an Audit Senior right now, you’ve probably experienced the frustration firsthand. You post the advert, wait weeks for applications, sift through CVs from candidates who aren’t quite right, conduct multiple rounds of interviews, and then, six months later,...

Why Professional Recruitment Isn’t About CV Volume Last week, I encountered a situation that perfectly illustrates the fundamental difference between professional recruitment services and the “spray and pray” approach that’s damaging our industry. The Client Experience That Changed Everything A Yorkshire-based accountancy practice approached H-FTS about filling a senior accounts role. Following our proven recruitment process, I: Their response? “Thanks...

By David Hawthorne-Finch, Managing Director After over a decade in recruitment and building Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions from the ground up, I’ve witnessed countless market shifts. But 2025 has brought some of the most significant changes I’ve ever seen in legal and accountancy recruitment. Let me share what I’m observing from the frontlines. The Great Salary Surge: What’s Really Happening David...