After a well-earned summer — and a surprisingly sunny one for many — September signals more than just a change in the weather. As diaries fill, inboxes start pinging again, and the pace picks up, it’s time to turn our attention to Q4.
When it comes to recruitment, bigger doesn’t always mean better.
At Twenty2 Recruitment and Consultancy, based in Derbyshire, we’ve seen first-hand the advantages of choosing a smaller, more agile partner. This is especially true for clients in the professional services sector, where cultural fit, communication, and specialist knowledge are critical.
Here’s why businesses are increasingly turning to boutique consultancies like ours, and what that means for the value you receive.
Unlike large agencies juggling hundreds of roles at once, we deliberately keep things focused and personal. Our clients work directly with experienced consultants who truly understand their industry, culture, and priorities.
You’re not just another job brief in a system. You’re a valued partner. We build long-term relationships that enable us to deliver talent that doesn’t just tick boxes but makes a lasting impact.
We’re proud to be rooted in Derbyshire and connected across the East Midlands professional services landscape. This regional insight allows us to spot opportunities and move quickly. Our reputation also helps attract top-tier local candidates who may not be visible through traditional channels.
We understand the market because we live and work in it, and that matters.
Our streamlined approach means we can act fast, but never at the expense of quality.
We take the time to get it right. That means rigorous screening, open communication, and a clear understanding of what success looks like for both client and candidate. The result is fewer mismatches, better hires, and more time saved.
As a female-led business, we care deeply about purpose and people. We believe recruitment should reflect your business values, and we operate with integrity, empathy, and a genuine desire to see both businesses and individuals thrive.
This people-first approach isn’t a strapline. It’s the foundation of everything we do.
Whether you’re a scaling business with evolving needs or an established firm looking for specific expertise, we adapt to fit you, not the other way around.
From retained searches to urgent interim placements, we’re used to working flexibly and collaboratively to get the job done. No red tape. No rigid structures. Just responsive, tailored recruitment support.
In the world of accounting, finance, legal, HR, and executive support, technical skills are only part of the equation. You need people who can communicate, lead, and align with your team culture from day one.
That’s where smaller consultancies like Twenty2 shine. We invest more time in understanding your needs. We’re not driven by volume, but by value.
Ready to See the Value of Working Small?
If you’re thinking about hiring in the months ahead, or simply want to explore what a more personal approach to recruitment could look like, let’s talk.
📩 Contact hayley@22consultancy.co.uk
🌐 Visit www.22consultancy.co.uk
Big value doesn’t come from size. It comes from trust, expertise, and a team that’s genuinely in your corner.
It’s about more than a logo. It’s about values.
When the opportunity came up to sponsor the U11 Ashby Girls team this season, it felt like the perfect fit.
The team are really excited to have had a successful start to the year with lots of positive changes and events taking place.
Earlier this month, our new recruitment consultant, Jody, joined the team and was quick to get involved with local networking events.
Jody attended the Nottingham-based charity, Forever Stars‘ Beyond Business networking event on the 1st of March in Beeston, Nottingham.
Speaking about the event she said, “It was great to hear how us as businesses can come together and support a wonderful charity so they can improve local hospitals and create a warm and welcoming place for families going through such a traumatic time when coping with infant loss. Forever Stars are amazing and contribute to making a massive impact on people’s lives.”
The following week, our Recruitment Manager, Laura took part in the Stran HR Line Manager Workshop, led by founder Francesca Sharp at Branston Golf & Country Club. The small group of local business leaders had a great morning learning in more detail how to handle challenging conversations with staff and promote a positive work culture.
The workshop was beneficial not only from a learning standpoint but also from a networking perspective – having the chance to connect with new and familiar faces.
Laura said, “It was lovely to be part of such a collaborative workshop and spend the morning discussing ways to be the most effective line manager possible. There were some great like-minded participants and Francesca delivered the content in such a warm and friendly way, whilst demonstrating her extensive HR knowledge and experience. I’m looking forward to the next session soon!”
Alongside attending the charity spa event, it’s been a jam-packed month for Twenty2! We can’t wait to see what April has in store.
To celebrate International Women’s Day, Derbyshire-based HR consultancy, Stran HR, organised a charity spa day at Breedon Priory Health Club to support local charity, Women’s Work.
A: “I’ve been working in recruitment for nearly 6 years now covering both industrial and professional services sectors.
I began as an Apprentice Resourcing Administrator and went on to receive several promotions and recognition awards for my standout performance.”
Q: What do you enjoy most about working in recruitment?
A: “It gives me so much satisfaction when I successfully place a great candidate with an organisation I have built a strong relationship with and both the candidate and client are happy and excited to begin working together.”
Q: What’s a hobby you have outside of work?
A: “I enjoy going to the gym and going on walks at the weekend.”
Q: What’s a fun fact about you?
A: “Me and my family have 4 tortoises!”
There’s the age-old saying that if you “do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.”
Unfortunately, hearing it from a billionaire CEO or a podcast host doesn’t always have the intended effect.
But take it from us, your local recruitment experts, that finding a job you love is truly the key to happiness in all areas of your life.
If you love what you do, you’ll notice positive changes to not just your mental and physical health, but your relationships and finances too.
Now, that’s all well and good in theory, but how do we put it into practice?
Here are our top tips on securing your dream job…
Reflect on your interests, values, skills, and passions. What activities do you enjoy doing? What industries are you genuinely interested in? Research various job roles that align with these interests. Or if company culture is important to you, use this as a starting point for your research.
Connect with professionals in your desired field through networking events or even LinkedIn. Ask to arrange a chat to learn more about their career paths and gain insights into the industry. Building relationships can often lead to job opportunities or referrals.
Gain experience and skills relevant to your desired job through internships, volunteering, freelance work, or side projects. Try taking a short course on a topic you’re interested in.
This not only adds great experience to your CV but also helps you decide if the job or industry is for you.
Consider your own ambitions and non-negotiables. Write down a list of these. What do you value in your personal life? What would you like to do more of? If, for example, quality time with family is a priority, a flexible, remote or even part-time role might be ideal for you. If you’re looking for opportunities to study and learn within a role, career progression needs to be at the top of your priorities list.
Using online tools such as Indeed, CV Library and TotalJobs can give you an idea of what jobs are available right now. Setting up notifications on these apps can give you a head start on studying the latest job adverts and applying.
Another great way to utilise technology is to read what other people post on forums and social media to learn about the reality of working in your dream industry. But don’t be discouraged by one negative post – seek out a balanced review.
Finding ‘the one’ can be a tough and time-consuming process. Once we think we’ve made a decision on what path to go down, something can happen that makes us rethink our whole career. But don’t let it stop you from pursuing your dream. Remind yourself why you’re doing this and don’t give up. Good things take time (another great saying!)
If you’re looking for more advice and tailored support on your personal career path, reach out to our team. We work with some excellent employers across the East Midlands and Staffordshire to place exceptional candidates in a role they love. Could you be next?
Click here to fill out our handy contact form and take the first step towards your dream job today.
Don’t just take our word for it. Have a read of this article by Indeed all about how to find a job you love.
Twenty2 welcomed the opportunity to be part of a recent Daily Express discussion about the job market at the end of 2023 and predictions for 2024.
Our Founder and Recruitment Director, Hayley discussed the challenges that hiring late in the year can present. She adds that, despite this, businesses are often keen to hire in preparation for the new year and candidates shouldn’t ever wait to submit their applications.
Although the article was somewhat negative regarding the current state of the job market, the Twenty2 perspective stood out as a positive voice for recruiters and employers in the UK.
Our positive outlook is echoed by Adam Myers, Head of HR Consulting at Stellamar, who anticipates “a lot of optimism for recruiting and business growth going into 2024.”
Click here to read the original article.
The 2023 jobs market has seen a lot of change, especially in the last quarter and with the recent announcement of the Autumn Statement. With workers striking, job vacancies falling and wages increasing, the after effects of the pandemic and the economic consequences of this are still being felt.
But how will this change going into 2024? Take a look at our predictions for the new year including our thoughts on remote jobs, company branding and the threat of AI.
The world of remote working was embraced during Covid, but we’re now seeing a clear shift in employer mindset around working from home. Many employers are asking their remote staff to return to office working, at least on a hybrid basis. We are expecting this to continue to rise in 2024, with further emphasis on the importance of employee wellbeing and promoting a positive company culture.
Building office-based teams or bringing people back from remote working means that it’s vital that companies find staff that fit their values and work well together. We predict a rise in the importance of personality fit during the interview stages of the hiring process. Researching the company, looking at their social media feeds and utilising websites like Glassdoor can help you to understand the culture and decide if you want to be considered.
Further to this, we predict that the digital space for job vacancies and recruiters will only develop and transform further. The need to be present on social media (especially if you’re hiring) is imperative in this digital age. Building and maintaining your online brand will continue to be a top priority for businesses in 2024. For help with your company’s social media and online presence, contact our team who can offer advice, guidance and practical support.
Following the recent announcement of the Autumn Statement, we now know that big changes are coming up in 2024. This includes increases to the Minimum Wage in April and National Insurance tax cuts from January. The cost of living and job security are issues high on the agendas of candidates that we speak to, whether this will lead to potential candidates being less likely to make a job move, only time will tell. Learn more about the Autumn Statement by clicking here.
Finally, there’s the seemingly ever-present threat of AI and its impact on the jobs market. Do we think a lot will change in 2024? No, not really. Do we think that in 5 years’ time, AI will have an impact on our jobs? Yes, 100%. We know that there are a lot of flaws with AI-generated content, chatbots and automation online, so it will likely take a lot longer for AI to completely take over our jobs. So, if you’re reading an article about losing your job to a robot in 2024, close your browser and enjoy a nice long walk outside.
The world of recruitment is ever-evolving and employers can easily feel overwhelmed by the constant changes in technology, the employment landscape and the economy. The Twenty2 team are here to help you navigate this. We offer 1:1 meetings with our clients to discuss their requirements in detail and prevent any confusion around the hiring process. Ask us anything! Get in touch today.
