Hiring in a Slowdown: How to Attract Talent When the Market's in Flux
- Gloss Creative Recruitment
- Apr 10
- 2 min read
The creative job market in the UK is experiencing a shift. After years of rapid growth, there's now a noticeable slowdown in hiring as businesses pause, recalibrate, and re-evaluate their headcount needs. But here’s the thing: the work hasn't stopped. Campaigns still need delivering. Brands still need building. Content still needs creating. So how do you attract the right talent when the market feels uncertain?
At Gloss Recruitment, we’ve been in the creative game long enough to see that these cycles always come back around. Smart companies don’t freeze; they adapt. And often, they come out ahead.
Here are a few ways forward-thinking businesses are staying ahead of the curve during quieter periods:
1. Reframe the Offer: Beyond Salary With budgets tightening, not every company can outbid the competition. But compensation isn't just financial. Many creatives are prioritising flexibility, purpose-driven work, and wellbeing. If you can offer hybrid working (or even flexible hours), a sense of creative freedom, or a strong internal culture, you're speaking their language.
2. Focus on Long-Term Fit, Not Just Short-Term Skills Now's the time to hire for values alignment. When things are booming, it's tempting to make fast hires to plug gaps. In a slower market, you can afford to be more selective – and build a more committed team for the future.
3. Use This Time to Build Your Brand You might not be hiring en masse right now, but don’t go quiet. Update your careers page. Share behind-the-scenes content. Promote team stories. Candidates are always watching, even when they're not actively applying.
4. Partner Strategically Working with a specialist recruiter like Gloss can help you tap into passive candidates who aren't applying elsewhere. We already know who’s quietly open to new opportunities and can guide you through market conditions.
5. Be Transparent It might feel counterintuitive, but candidates appreciate honesty about the current state of play. If you’re hiring with caution, say so. If a role may evolve as things shift, be open. This kind of dialogue builds trust, which often tips the balance.
Final Thoughts
Slower periods are a chance to reset and rethink, not retreat. The businesses that keep momentum, communicate clearly, and invest in the right hires now are the ones who will be strongest when the upturn returns.
If you’d like to talk about shaping your next hire with flexibility, foresight and flair – we're ready when you are.
Comments