Recruitment Insights, Career Advice & Workplace Trends - August 2026

  • Why Do Probationary Periods Matter?

    Posted on Monday, August 31, 2026

    Hiring someone is a significant investment. From recruitment costs and onboarding time to the impact a new starter can have on team performance, getting the appointment right matters. A probationary period gives you a valuable opportunity to assess whether the individual and organisation are the right fit - but only if you use it effectively. More than a box-ticking exercise A probationary period ...

  • Temping Doesn’t Have to Be Risky – If You Work with the Right Agency

    Posted on Friday, August 28, 2026

    Temporary work can be a brilliant option. It gives you flexibility, variety, the chance to build experience quickly and, in many cases, a faster route back into work. But realistically, temping can also come with a few worries, especially if you’re trying to juggle multiple agencies, unclear bookings or last-minute changes. Many of the common ‘risks’ of temporary work can be reduced dramatically ...

  • Which Generation of Workers is Most Stressed and Why Does it Matter to Employers?

    Posted on Wednesday, August 26, 2026

    Workplace stress is hardly a new concern, but recent research raises an interesting question: which generation is actually feeling the pressure most? The answer may depend on who you ask. For employers, that matters because your assumptions about employee wellbeing could influence where you direct support, resources and HR strategy. Employers and employees see stress differently GRiD surveyed 500 ...

  • New Graduate? Consider Temping

    Posted on Monday, August 24, 2026

    Graduating should feel exciting, but for many people, it’s a frustrating time. You’ve got the degree, you’ve put the work in, and now you’re ready to start your career. The problem is that plenty of graduate roles want experience, and when you’re just starting out, that can feel like a catch-22. If you’re finding it hard to land your first permanent role, temping in London could be a very smart ...

  • How to Temp While Visiting London

    Posted on Friday, August 21, 2026

    If you’ve ever fancied spending a few months living in London rather than just passing through, temping can be a brilliant way to do it. It gives you an income, a routine, and a genuine taste of working life in one of the world’s busiest cities, all without locking you into a long-term role. Whether you’re arriving from elsewhere in the UK, taking a career break, or heading over from Australia or ...

  • How to Prevent Career Regret

    Posted on Wednesday, August 19, 2026

    It’s easy to think of career regret as something that happens much later in life, when you’re looking back on decades of work. But the truth is, the choices you make now can shape how you feel about your career years down the line. And while nobody gets every decision right, there are some common regrets that come up time and again. It’s good to know that most regrets are avoidable if you stay ...

  • How to Know if a Long Job Application Process is Worth Your Time

    Posted on Monday, August 17, 2026

    If it feels like applying for a job has become a job in itself, you’re not imagining it. It’s now common to be asked to complete online assessments, record answers to set questions, take aptitude tests or work through inbox exercises before you’ve even spoken to a real person. In the current employer-led market, competition for office-based roles is fierce, and businesses can afford to be ...

  • How to be Visible in a Candidate-Heavy Job Market

    Posted on Friday, August 14, 2026

    If you're looking for a new role right now, you may have noticed that competition has increased. With more candidates applying for each vacancy, employers have plenty of choice. Being successful isn't just about having the strongest CV. It's about making yourself memorable for all the right reasons. So what do you need to do? 1. Tailor Every Application It can be tempting to send the same CV to ...

  • HR Teams: Do You Have an AI Policy?

    Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2026

    AI is no longer something businesses can afford to treat as a future consideration. Employees are already using tools such as ChatGPT and other generative AI platforms to write emails, analyse information, create reports and support everyday tasks. The question for HR teams is no longer whether AI will be used, but whether it is being used safely and responsibly. Research suggests that 80% of ...

  • The Benefit of Temps When Permanent Hiring is Costly

    Posted on Tuesday, August 11, 2026

    The cost of building a permanent workforce continues to rise, leaving many businesses looking more carefully at how and when they hire. For HR professionals and business leaders, temporary staff can offer a strategic way to maintain capacity, respond to demand and access skills without immediately increasing long-term headcount. As an agency that specialises in both permanent and temporary ...

  • Does What You Wear Shape How You’re Viewed at Work?

    Posted on Monday, August 10, 2026

    When you’re getting ready for work each morning, it can feel like what you wear is just about comfort or routine. But in reality, your outfit can subtly influence how others perceive you, especially in office environments where impressions are formed quickly and often unconsciously. In office-based roles, where communication and collaboration are key, your appearance is part of how you present ...

  • Building Future Talent Pipelines with Younger Workers

    Posted on Friday, August 7, 2026

    The early stages of a career can shape a person's working life for years to come. Yet younger workers are facing a challenging labour market, with fewer opportunities to get their foot on the career ladder and build the experience employers often ask for. For businesses, overlooking this generation could create problems of your own. Young workers are facing a difficult start Recent analysis ...

  • What is a Competency-Based Interview & How to Prepare

    Posted on Wednesday, August 5, 2026

    Interviews can feel nerve-racking at the best of times, especially when you're not quite sure what questions to expect. One format that many employers use when recruiting for office-based roles is the competency-based interview. Understanding how these interviews work can help you feel more confident and give you the best chance of success. What is a Competency-Based Interview? A competency-based ...

  • Struggling to Find a New Job? Consider Temping

    Posted on Monday, August 3, 2026

    Finding a new job can feel frustrating when opportunities seem limited and recruitment processes take longer than expected. Recent labour market reports show that permanent hiring remains subdued, with many employers taking a cautious approach while they navigate economic uncertainty. If you've been applying for permanent roles without much success, now could be the perfect time to consider ...