Hiring is Back on the Table - Are You Ready to Win the Talent Movement?

Despite headlines that suggest a mixed economic picture, green shoots continue to emerge across the UK recruitment landscape. While overall business confidence may have cooled slightly in September, the hiring outlook remains resilient-and the opportunity window is wide open.

According to the Lloyds Bank Business Barometer, most UK businesses still intend to increase headcount in the coming months-even with a dip in economic optimism (Lloyds). This sentiment is echoed by new Staffing Industry research showing that employer hiring confidence rose 4 points between Q2 and Q3 (Staffing Industry News).

We’re seeing the early signs of a cautious but meaningful return to growth-and savvy recruitment leaders are treating this as a moment to reset, refocus, and re-engage.

The Numbers Say “Go”

Job postings may have softened slightly, but they’re holding remarkably steady-just –0.4% over the last three months. And wages are still climbing, with average advertised salaries up 5.7% year-on-year (HiringLab). This combination of stable demand and rising wages points to ongoing hiring appetite across key sectors.

Crucially, candidate supply is surging. The KPMG/REC report shows the fastest rise in availability in nearly five years-giving recruiters more options and making it easier to fill client briefs without compromising on quality (The Independent).

But the real game-changer? Candidate mobility is back.

New data shows more than 40% of employees are planning to switch jobs in the next 6 months (HR Director). This is the strongest sign in years that professionals are regaining confidence-and it spells massive opportunity for recruiters who act now.

What Smart Recruitment Leaders Are Doing Now

The market is moving. Slowly, unevenly-but undeniably forward. Here’s how leaders are staying ahead:

• Retooling sales & BD skills: With demand rising unevenly across sectors, proactive sales is essential. Many recruiters have relied on inbound roles-now is the time to retrain teams to consult, pitch and win.
• Focusing on sectors with real momentum: Tech, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and health & social care all show resilience. Construction, while still softening, is edging toward stabilisation with signs of future demand returning.
• Creating an AI-led delivery strategy: As AI tools become embedded in recruitment workflows, leaders must ask: Are we using AI to enhance candidate sourcing, automate admin, and deliver insight to clients? Because if you’re not, someone else is.

A Window of Opportunity-But Not for Long

With £250 billion in investment already secured through the UK’s new industrial strategy-supporting 45,000 jobs across high-growth sectors (Gov.uk)-this is no time to be sitting on the sidelines.

Rising wages, growing confidence, and a mobile workforce create the ideal conditions for growth. But you need the sales skills, the AI tools, and the sector focus to capture it.

So ask yourself:

• Is your team ready to engage clients with confidence?
• Are your recruiters trained to sell solutions-not just CVs?
• Are you hunting where the growth really is?

Because the candidates are on the move.
The market is giving you permission to act.

Now’s the time to make it count.