Resources

I get asked a lot by clients about their offer, how does it stand out against the market. A lot of the time people are still trying to pitch a standard benefit such as Pension (and I mean standard pension not enhanced pension) as a lucrative benefit. Thankfully we have seen less fruit baskets and team pizza days in the...

It was Dec 2023 that I decided to make a career move and sat down to think what that would look like. That decision launched my career forward and now I have a business I am excited to work at every day (mainly thanks to my team, clients and candidates). The festive season is upon us, and while most people...

Why Ethical Recruitment Matters | H-FTS When Doing the Right Thing Means Losing Business Last week, I faced a decision that perfectly demonstrates why Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions operates differently from traditional UK recruitment agencies. A law firm contacted us about Private Client Solicitors  and from the email they reached out to us with, we had 2 suitable candidates locally from...

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...

Today brought one of those moments that perfectly encapsulates why we do what we do at Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions. An email landed in my inbox from a law firm client that made me pause and reflect on the stark difference between transactional recruitment and true consultative partnership. The Email That Started It All “Another recruiter contacted me today who knows...

Another tale from the UK recruitment trenches where professional courtesy in legal hiring seems to have gone on extended leave… Well, well, well. Gather ’round for another episode of “David Did It!” – where I spill the tea on legal and accountancy recruitment realities that would make your nan clutch her pearls. So picture this: one of our legal and...

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...

Welcome to another episode of “David Did It!”—your go-to blog for tips, tricks, and laughs from the world of UK Legal and Accountancy Practice Recruitment. Today, we’re diving into a topic that every recruiter has faced but few discuss: Agency Wars. When multiple recruitment agencies compete for the same roles, it’s a recipe for stress, confusion, and—let’s face it—drama. But...

Picture this: You’re out shopping for the perfect pair of shoes. You’ve got a vision in your head—sleek, stylish, practical for every occasion—but you forgot to check your size. Now, you’re walking into stores, vaguely describing “something nice,” and leaving disappointed when nothing fits. This is exactly what happens when you’re looking for your dream candidate without a proper job...

Ah, feedback—the mysterious, elusive ingredient to a successful recruitment process. It’s like the basil in a pasta sauce: you can technically make it without it, but it’s just not going to be that good. Yet so often, hiring managers deliver those dreaded three words to their recruitment partners and candidates alike: “Sorry, no feedback.” Now, as much as we love...

Ever had that moment? You open an email, expecting a quick update, but instead, you’re greeted with a multi-paragraph “challenge”—and every relevant party (and their dog) has been CC’d. Instead of a simple clarification, it feels like a courtroom drama. The client, perhaps feeling a tad theatrical, has decided to take a little “miscommunication” and spin it into an inbox...

💥 Salary Expectations Through the Roof? 💥 🎶 David Did It! 🎶 Ah yes, the classic salary vs. reality dilemma. If you’ve been in recruitment long enough, you know exactly what I’m talking about. You’ve found the ideal candidate—they check all the boxes, they’re ready to sign, and then… BAM! Their salary expectations are way beyond the budget. Or perhaps...