Wave News: The power of relationship-led recruitment

Hello, welcome to the February edition of Wave News! Here's a quick roundup of what’s happening at Wave and in the recruitment world.

Recruitment has always been about people, but in 2025, relationship-led recruitment is the key to success. The market is tough, competition is fierce, and AI is changing the game. But one thing remains clear: clients and candidates stay loyal to recruiters they trust.

So, what does it take to build genuine, lasting relationships?

Long-term success beats short-term wins

Transactional recruitment might work in a booming market, but when times get tough, clients return to recruiters who have consistently added value. Insights from the Talent Matters Podcast featuring Christopher Everitt , Suzie Butler and Ashby Jenkins (upcoming episode) all highlight that?relationship-led recruitment isn’t about chasing quick wins, it’s about ongoing engagement.

What this means for recruiters:

• Stay in touch with clients outside of hiring cycles. Offer value, not just a sales pitch.
• Build genuine trust so that when jobs are scarce, clients turn to you first.
• Think beyond placements. Support candidates and clients alike with insights, expertise, and personal connections.

Cutting fees won’t win you loyal clients

As competition heats up, some agencies are slashing fees to win business. But that can be a race to the bottom. Ashby Jenkins warns that low fees often mean lower priority for clients, as agencies will focus on higher-margin jobs first. Instead of dropping prices, prove your worth through quality service.

• Instead of competing on price, compete on expertise, relationships, and results.
• Show clients why working with you at a higher fee delivers better ROI. Whether through higher-quality candidates, better retention, or a smoother process.
• Prioritise value-driven recruitment over chasing volume.

AI can’t replace human connections

Chris, Suzie, and Ashby agree that AI is changing recruitment but can’t replace relationships. Tech can help streamline processes, but clients still want a recruiter who understands their business, their culture, and their long-term goals.

• Use AI and automation to enhance your recruitment strategy. But don’t let it replace real conversations.
• Make time for face-to-face interactions, personalised outreach, and deeper client engagement.
• Relationship-led recruiters will always have an edge over those relying purely on automation.

In a challenging market, your biggest competitive advantage is your ability to build trust, offer value, and create long-term partnerships. Clients and candidates have choices but will always choose recruiters who invest in them beyond the placement.

P.S. If you've read this far, feel free to comment and let us know what you think.

?? What's new...

The fast-paced world of education recruitment w/ Suzie Butler

Education recruitment moves at a relentless pace, with schools relying on agencies to find staff at a moment’s notice. In this episode of Talent Matters, Suzie Butler , Communications Director at Philosophy Education , shares insights into the unique challenges of hiring for schools, the rising demand for teaching assistants, and why in-office collaboration remains crucial in this fast-moving sector.

?? Catch-up on the episode

The hidden side of your recruitment website

Dave Jenkins joined Louise Triance ?? on the latest UK Recruiter Recruitment Smarts Live, to talk about the hidden side of your recruitment website and what the next generation of recruitment websites looks like.

?? Watch the recap

Rebounding market on our January Snapshot

The January 2025 Recruitment Trends Snapshot, based on WaveTrackR data, highlights a significant rebound in hiring activity. Job postings surged by 61%, applications increased by 29%, and placements grew by 43%, signalling a strong start to the year.

?? Find all the data

The trends shaping recruitment website design in 2025

Recruitment websites are evolving to meet the expectations of both job seekers and employers, and design trends are playing a significant role in shaping user experience. From dark mode aesthetics to bold typography and innovative navigation, discover how to create websites that attract top talent and deliver exceptional user experiences.

?? Find out the trends

Duration-based job board pricing model explained

Based on an excerpt from a podcast with Steven Rothberg, this article shares his perspective on how job boards revolutionised recruitment by building on the classified ad model. In particular, we’ll explore the nuances of the duration-based job board pricing model and why it may not be the most effective solution for modern recruitment.

?? Find out more

?? Coming up...

Join us at RecConnect Recruitment Leader Experience

We're excited to be part of the upcoming RecConnect exclusive event for recruitment leaders! The Recruitment Leader Experience promises an engaging day designed to help you break barriers, transform strategies into action, and elevate your influence. Get ready to reshape your thinking and connect with fellow leaders!

?? Get your ticket

We are back for the Recruitment Agency Expo in London

The Recruitment Agency Expo is back this March, and Team Wave can’t wait to join the fun! Swing by our stand to say hello and discover how we can supercharge your candidate attraction with cutting-edge recruitment websites. See you there!

?? Get your ticket

Thanks for reading this edition of Wave News! We’ll be back next month with more insights and updates to help you stay ahead in recruitment. Until then, work on those client and candidate relationships!