The first quarter of the year has brought a noticeable change in hiring behaviour.

​According to recent insights from MIA-UK, the first quarter of the year has brought a noticeable change in hiring behaviour. Businesses are becoming more selective, more structured and frankly less flexible.

Where employers once offered a "pick‑and‑mix" approach to flexibility in order to secure talent, many are now drawing firmer lines around expectations. Experience, performance, adaptability and cultural fit are taking centre stage. Remote and hybrid options haven’t disappeared but they’re no longer guaranteed.

For recruiters and HR professionals, this means adapting quickly. It’s more important than ever to:

✅ Prepare candidates for a tougher, more competitive market
✅ Provide realistic benchmarking around salaries and role requirements
✅ Align expectations early to avoid mismatches later
✅ Emphasise soft skills like resilience, flexibility, and communication.

It’s not all bad news, though. With clearer employer demands comes the opportunity for recruiters to add real value, guiding candidates more strategically and helping clients find talent that sticks. It’s about creating win-win outcomes in a more discerning market.

📉 Feeling the shift already? You’re not alone.

🔗 Read the full breakdown from MIA-UK here:https://heyor.ca/proI8k

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