Dave Henderson

A lot of recruiters jump straight into selling... “This candidate would be perfect for you!” “This role’s an amazing opportunity!”   And while we all want to move fast, speed without direction is useless.   We don’t open a search until we’ve listened - properly.   🔹 What are you really looking for? 🔹 What’s changed in the business recently? 🔹 Where have hires gone wrong before?   When you take the time to ask those questions up front, the rest moves quicker.   Because then it’s not about sending over a stack of resumes and hoping one sticks.   It’s targeted, thoughtful and it saves everyone time.   ❌ We don’t believe in compromising on quality just to check a box.    ❌ We’re not in this to hit volume, and submitting a stack of resumes that are not a good fit. That’s why we listen first. That’s how we move fast.   And that’s why we won’t ever flood your inbox with people who aren’t a fit.

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“𝗦𝗼𝗿𝗿𝘆, 𝘄𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲.” If you’ve ever heard that line, you’re far from alone. A recent UK survey showed that 64% of candidates were rejected from their first job application because they didn’t have enough experience. 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙘 𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝-𝟮𝟮: 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣’𝙩 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙖 𝙟𝙤𝙗, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣’𝙩 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙟𝙤𝙗 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚. As a recruiter, I see brilliant people being overlooked every day—not because they lack potential, but because hiring processes lean too heavily on rigid experience filters. The good news? Things are shifting. Around 65% of employers now use skills-based hiring for entry-level roles. That means your abilities, achievements, and mindset matter just as much (if not more) than a job title on your CV. 👉 Employers: if you want fresh talent, be open to transferable skills and invest in training. 👉 Candidates: highlight what you can do, not just what you’ve done. Projects, volunteering, side hustles—they all count. Because the “experience gap” isn’t just frustrating, it’s costing companies amazing talent. #imhiring #recruitmentbutbetter

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Every recruiter promises the same thing. The biggest network The best talent The fastest results But the real question is: who can actually deliver? I’ve lasted almost seven years in this business through: • Pandemic • 5+ moves   • Bringing a baby into the world while navigating betrayal • Severe CPTSD until the flashbacks finally stopped How? Not by lowering my rates Not by chasing clients who don’t value me I lean into what makes me different I value relationships I root for my peers I stay in my lane I stay confident in what I bring, without changing who I am to fit a mold. Here’s what most companies miss when choosing a recruiter: It’s not about a flashy pitch or a long list of logos. It’s about trust. If you are evaluating recruiters, ask: 1. How do you balance speed with quality? 2. How do you learn our culture? 3. Can you share examples of similar searches? 4. How do you communicate progress? 5. How do you build trust with candidates?     The answers reveal more than any deck. And job seekers: lean into what makes you different. You cannot compete where you do not compare. Focus on yourself and the rest will follow.

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Stop letting ‘Playboy69’ ruin your job applications..... As a recruiter, I’ve seen thousands of CVs come across my desk. Some are polished, some need work, but one small detail can set the tone before I even read a single line: your email address. Let’s be honest. Most of us created our first email accounts in high school or college. At the time, it felt completely normal to sign up as playboy69@… or ilovedoritos247@…. It was funny. It was memorable. It made sense when the biggest email you were sending was a group project update. But fast forward to today.... you’re applying for a professional job, and that same email address is at the top of your CV. Suddenly, what once got laughs could now raise eyebrows. Here’s why this matters: First impressions count. Your email is literally the first thing a recruiter sees. A questionable one makes us pause before we even open your resume. It signals professionalism. If you can create a clean, simple email like [email protected], it shows attention to detail. It’s free and easy. There are dozens of platforms where you can set up a brand-new professional email in minutes. No excuses. Pro tip: If your name is common, add a middle initial, profession, or city. Something like [email protected]  or [email protected]  is still miles better than a jumble of numbers or old inside jokes. Bottom line: Don’t let a silly relic from your teenage years block you from a career opportunity today. Creating a professional email address is one of the quickest fixes you can make to immediately upgrade your job search. And recruiters everywhere will thank you for it. 😉

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What strong recruiters are doing differently in 2025 👀 ⭐ Going niche Generalist 360 desks are fading. Clients want recruiters who get their world, the language, the trends, the challenges. Those who’ve carved out a niche are placing quicker, billing higher, and building real trust. ⭐ Putting candidates first The “spray and pray” approach doesn’t cut it anymore. The best recruiters are running proper interviews, giving real feedback, and investing in long term relationships. ⭐ Building their brand They’re showing up on LinkedIn. Not chasing viral moments, but building visibility. And it works... Clients and candidates are watching, even when you think they’re not. ⭐ Choosing clients wisely They say no to slow processes, vague briefs, and misaligned roles. Top recruiters are backing themselves and walking away from the wrong fits. The market has shifted & expectations have shifted. The recruiters making an impact are already adapting. Xclusive Recruitment #rec2rec

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