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,...

Why Your Job Ad Isn’t Converting (and the 6 Lines to Fix First) If your job advert is getting views but not the right applications, it’s rarely because “there aren’t any candidates”. Most of the time, the advert is missing clarity in the first few lines. Good candidates skim. They decide in seconds whether a role is worth their time....

Hybrid Working:  What Candidates Mean vs What Firms Hear Hybrid working should be simple. In reality, it’s one of the biggest sources of frustration I see on both sides of the market, because “hybrid” isn’t a standard term. In this guide, I break down what candidates usually mean when they ask for hybrid working, what firms often hear, and how...

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...

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...

Finding the right legal professional goes beyond reviewing qualifications and experience. While technical competency is essential, cultural fit often determines whether a new hire will thrive in your practice or become another costly recruitment mistake. Research shows that poor cultural fit is responsible for up to 89% of hiring failures, making it crucial for law firms to assess this during...

Published by David Hawthorne-Finch | Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions The accountancy recruitment landscape has never been more competitive. With the Big 4 firms wielding massive budgets, prestigious brand names, and structured graduate programmes, you’d think independent accountancy practices wouldn’t stand a chance in attracting top talent. But here’s the thing – I’ve just witnessed something remarkable that completely challenges this assumption....

As 2024 draws to a close, I’m taking a moment to reflect on an incredible year for David Did It! and Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions. From sharing career advice, navigating the quirks of the workplace, and laughing through some unforgettable David Did It! moments, this year has been nothing short of amazing. But let’s be honest—this year wasn’t about me. It...

Ah, the Holiday/Festive season! A time for bubbles, ugly sweaters, and… job hunting? (And don’t come for me with the Sweaters comment, I love a Festive Jumper Day, but let’s be Frank they ain’t cute!) While most people are busy decorating their homes, you’re decorating your CV, hoping to catch the eye of a hiring manager amidst the festive chaos....