Hello 2025.

Happy Sunday.

I hope you've had alovely weekend and you're reading this in a lovely warm post roast slumber. Or you've having a lush Sunday sesh.

Welcome to 2025 – A Year of Opportunity and Evolution

As we step (we pretty much crawled like a baby) into 2025, we hope you’ve had some well-deserved time to recharge and eat cheese like it's going out of fashion. Last year was no walk in the park—tough markets, shifting client expectations, and rising costs kept us all on our toes. But if 2024 taught us anything, it’s that resilience, adaptability, and an ickle bit of humour go a long way.

So, what’s on the horizon for 2025 I hear literally no one ask? Let’s build on those predictions we made in December and see how they sit now.

1. The Recruitment Slow Burn

Q1 is likely to keep us all guessing, but patience will pay off. We’re entering a year of steady, incremental change rather than dramatic pivots. Those who stay focused, disciplined, and proactive will see the rewards later in the year. We've actually started a lot faster than we anticipated and have plenty of new roles on here.

2. Outpacing the Algorithms

The rising costs of LinkedIn, Indeed, and job boards mean it’s time to think differently. Those who have built well organised and easy to segment CRM's should utilise and nurture their existing databases to be far more of a marketing tool, rather than an admin repository. Expect to see more agencies doubling down on creative sourcing strategies—whether through community-building, networking events, or even leveraging AI to sift through overlooked talent pools. The agencies who innovate here will come out on top.

3. Personal Branding is Bigger Than Ever

Yes, the term personal brand does make me want to vomit in my mouth as well. In 2025, consultants’ personal brands will carry as much weight as their agency’s. You will see the LI algo is massively pushing video content, with authentic posts user generated content as well as relatable stories, will dominate the recruitment landscape. Those embracing transparency and personality will build stronger, more loyal client and candidate relationships.

4. Commissions Get Real

The conversation around sustainable commission schemes will continue to heat up. Agencies are beginning to recognise that balancing profitability with fair rewards for consultants isn’t just possible—it’s essential. This recalibration could mean a fairer system that prioritises the long-term health of the business while still motivating high performers - rather than as a tool to just attract new consultants with no longer term thought.

5. The Return of Handshakes and Coffee Meetings

Face-to-face meetings are making a triumphant comeback. Virtual calls may save time, but nothing beats the power of real human connection. Agencies willing to go the extra mile—literally—to visit client offices, build rapport in person, and understand team dynamics will rise above the competition. Plus, isn’t it time we all got out of our sweatpants?

Feeling the ‘New Year, New Me’ Energy (Live, Love, Laugh babes)?

For some of you, 2025 might be the perfect moment for a fresh start. Whether you’re a consultant ready for your next challenge or a client looking to reimagine your hiring strategy, now’s the time to act. We’re already working with some fantastic clients who are on the hunt for great talent—so if this resonates with you, let’s chat.

Here are a selection of some of our most beautiful and recent roles. Head to our Job listings page for the rest of them.

Do not forget we offer a referral scheme of up to ￡1000 for an introduction to someone we place (and stays through their rebate).

Latest jobs (to view the full video description/advert and to apply click on the gif):

Danny B:

Josh W:

Will G:

Things (probably) worth having a gander at:

New starter advice, with one of the weirdest endings ever:

New starter welcome:

Josh Withers is a sex god:

Want to be on the OX Seven podcast 'Get Rich or Die Hiring'? Contact Will Grashoff

You will probably notice that we suffer from a chronic lack of diversity in our team. We're aware of it and something we're proactively trying to address. If you are looking for a new role as a recruitment consultant, can get to Brackley a couple of times a week and you're a decent person then give Will a shout!