Category: Candidates

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Skills-Based Hiring: Moving Beyond Job Titles

A modern resume lies on a wooden table beside a succulent, coffee cup, and envelopes. A magnifying glass highlights the "Skill Highlights" section.

For decades, job titles have acted as shortcuts in recruitment. They’ve helped employers quickly sort CVs, signal seniority, and define career progression. But for HR and recruitment leaders working in today’s fast-moving labour market, this approach is increasingly limiting.

As roles evolve faster than titles can keep up, skills-based hiring offers a more flexible, inclusive, and strategic alternative. One that focuses on what individuals can do. It also considers what they could grow into rather than what they’ve previously been called.

Why Job Titles Are No Longer Enough

From an HR perspective, job titles often fail to reflect the reality of modern work. The same title can mean very different things across organisations, sectors, and even teams. A “Manager” in one organisation may be a people leader with strategic accountability. In another, they may be a hands-on specialist with no line management responsibilities.

Over-reliance on titles can:

  • Narrow talent pipelines unnecessarily
  • Exclude candidates with strong transferable skills
  • Create rigid career routes that don’t recognise different ways people grow, contribute, or lead
  • Make workforce planning and skills forecasting more difficult

For HR teams under pressure to improve hiring outcomes, diversity, and retention, titles alone rarely provide the insight needed to make confident decisions.

What Is Skills-Based Hiring?

Skills-based hiring is an approach that prioritises identifying skills. It also focuses on assessing and recruiting for the skills needed to perform a role effectively. This approach is applicable both now and in the future.

For HR and recruitment leaders, this means focusing on:

  • Technical skills – role-specific capabilities such as data analysis, software proficiency, or project management
  • Core behaviours and soft skills – communication, collaboration, adaptability, problem-solving
  • Transferable skills – leadership, stakeholder management, planning, and decision-making developed across different roles or sectors

Instead of asking, “Has this person done this exact job before?” the question becomes:

“Do they have the skills, or the learning agility, to succeed in this role?”

The Strategic Benefits for HR and Recruitment Teams

  • Access to Wider Talent Pools

By focusing on skills rather than job titles, organisations can reach a wider range of candidates. This includes people from related sectors, non-traditional career paths, career changers, returners, and existing employees with transferable skills.

  • Stronger Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Outcomes

Skills-based hiring helps reduce bias by focusing on ability rather than background or career history

  • Better Quality of Hire

Hiring against clearly defined skills and outcomes improves role fit, performance, and confidence in decision-making. This is especially true when paired with structured assessment.

  • More Agile Workforce Planning

Understanding skills across your organisation supports succession planning, internal mobility, and targeted upskilling — all critical for long-term workforce resilience.

Rethinking Career Progression

For HR leaders, moving beyond job titles also means rethinking progression and development. Careers are no longer purely vertical. Skills-based frameworks allow people to grow horizontally, deepen expertise, or move across functions, supporting both individual aspirations and organisational needs.

Real-Life UK Case Studies

It’s one thing to talk about skills‑based hiring in theory, but it’s even more insightful to see how it plays out in real organisations. Across the UK, employers are already putting these ideas into practice. They are strengthening their talent pipelines, uncovering hidden potential, and making hiring fairer and more flexible.

Here are three examples from the NHS, RHP, and Tesco that show what a skills‑first approach looks like in the real world:

1. NHS – Expanding the Talent Pool Through Skills-Based Hiring

The NHS faced a surge in recruitment needs. It partnered with Indeed to redesign its hiring strategy around skills. This approach replaced rigid qualification-heavy job descriptions. By shifting to a skills‑focused model, the NHS attracted candidates from a broader range of backgrounds. This strategy also boosted its applicant flow. Indeed supported the process with customised sourcing. It offered skills‑based screening and high‑volume hiring events across England. This helped candidates learn about roles, interview, and even receive job offers in a single day. This transformation widened the talent pool, eased HR bottlenecks, and created faster, fairer hiring pathways into essential roles.

Read the case study: Skills-Based Hiring Case Study: The National Health Service [indeed.com]

2. RHP – Building Future Leaders Through Skills Identification

RHP, a UK housing association, recognised that traditional role-based assessments weren’t uncovering enough future leaders. To tackle this issue, the organisation introduced a skills‑focused review. Its goal was to identify employees with high leadership potential, regardless of their job titles. By developing targeted pathways with structured learning and tailored support, RHP successfully elevated hidden internal talent into leadership roles. This strengthened succession planning, improved internal mobility, and built a workforce better prepared for long‑term organisational needs.

Read the case study: RHP – Building Future Leadership Skills (CIPD) [cipd.org]

3. Tesco – Strengthening Talent Pipelines with Skills-Focused Development

As the UK’s largest private-sector employer, Tesco places strong emphasis on internal mobility and talent development. Through annual and quarterly workforce-planning cycles, Tesco identifies employees with the skills and aspirations needed to move into more senior positions. This supports internal promotion even when job titles don’t explicitly reflect leadership potential. This proactive, skills-led approach has helped Tesco reduce recruitment costs, maintain operational efficiency, retain organisational knowledge, and improve employee morale by showing clear pathways for growth.

Read the case study: Recruitment and Selection at Tesco [smartlifes…ills.co.uk]

Final Thoughts

Skills-based hiring doesn’t mean eliminating job titles, but it does mean reducing their influence on hiring decisions.

For HR and recruitment leaders, this shift supports fairer hiring, stronger talent pipelines, and more resilient workforce planning. As the world of work continues to evolve, it is essential to focus on skills, labels are becoming less important. This approach is crucial for building a future-ready workforce.

Want to explore how a skills‑first approach could work in your organisation? Feel free to reach out for an initial chat.

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Achieve Career Goals That Stick: Tips for 2026

The new year is the perfect time to reflect on your career and set goals that move you forward. Maybe this is the year you’ll finally ask for progression, change roles, or feel more confident in your work

But let’s be honest—most resolutions don’t last past February.

Why? Because setting goals is easy; sticking to them requires strategy.

In this post, we’ll share actionable tips to help you set career goals that actually stick in 2026.

Start with your “Why?”

Before you set any career goals, understand your motivation. Are you aiming for a promotion, a career change, or a better work-life balance? Knowing your “why” ensures your goals align with your long-term vision.

Think direction, not destination

Many people get stuck because they feel they need one big, perfectly defined goal. In reality, careers are rarely that neat.

Instead of:

“I want a promotion by December”

Try:

“I want to grow into a role with more responsibility and influence”

Direction-based goals give you room to adapt as opportunities (and realities) change, while still keeping you moving forward.

Focus on what you can control, and make it SMART

You can’t control whether a role becomes available or whether a company restructures, but you can control how you prepare. Strong, sticky goals focus on actions you can take—like building a specific skill, expanding your experience, improving confidence or communication, and growing your professional network.

For example:

“I’ll update my CV and LinkedIn by the end of February.”

“I’ll ask for feedback after my next project.”

“I’ll apply for roles that align with my values, not just my job title.”

These kinds of goals build momentum and confidence. To make them even more effective, use the SMART Framework:

Specific: Define exactly what you want to achieve.

Measurable: Set clear metrics to track progress.

Achievable: Be realistic about what you can accomplish.

Relevant: Align goals with your long-term vision.

Time-bound: Set deadlines to create urgency.

Example: “Complete a leadership certification by September to prepare for a management role.”

Break big goals into micro-steps

Large goals can feel overwhelming. Break them down into smaller, actionable steps. For instance, if your goal is to land a new job, your micro-steps might include:

  • Updating your resume by January 15.
  • Networking with five industry professionals by February.
  • Applying to three roles per week starting March.

Small wins build momentum and confidence.

Make space for regular check-ins

Career goals aren’t a ‘set it and forget it’ exercise—schedule regular check-ins to pause, reflect, and adjust as needed.

  • What’s working?
  • What’s changed?
  • Does this goal still feel right?

A monthly or quarterly check-in with yourself (or a mentor) can help you stay aligned without adding pressure.

Let go of goals that no longer fit

Sometimes progress means changing course. When a goal no longer feels right and starts to weigh you down, it’s okay to rethink it. That kind of awareness is a skill in itself. Your career should move with you, not hold you in place.

Remember, progress is personal  

It’s easy to measure your progress against others, especially online, but careers aren’t meant to be identical journeys. Success looks different for everyone. Real, lasting goals aren’t about pushing harder — they’re about choosing what matters most to you. And often, that means aiming for work that feels more aligned, more manageable, and more true to who you are.          

Ready to take action?

Don’t just read about career success—make it happen!

Try our free Career Goal Planner to map out your SMART goals and start tracking progress today.

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Agility Unleashed: How to Future-Proof Your Team Culture

Change is everywhere, and, for organisations, agility isn’t just a trend—it’s essential for survival. But what does true agility look like?

It’s not about chasing the latest management fad or running endless workshops.

Real agility is about shifting how we think, work, and grow, together.

What Agility Really Means:

Agility isn’t just moving faster. It’s about sensing change, processing it quickly, and responding with precision.

This takes two things: the right mindset and the right skills.

An “agility mindset” means being curious, experimenting, and collaborating. It’s about seeing challenges as opportunities and learning from failure.

 “Agility capabilities” are the practical skills, like cross-functional teamwork, rapid decision-making, and adaptive leadership, that turn that mindset into action.

Why Agility Efforts Can Fail:

Too often, organisations treat agility as a one-off project. They launch new values or reorganise teams, but people soon slip back into old habits.

Why? Because agility isn’t something you install—it’s something you nurture, every day, through consistent behaviours and real leadership commitment.

Create a Safe Space for Ideas:

Encourage your team to speak up, share bold ideas, and take smart risks without fear of blame. Celebrate learning from mistakes, invite diverse perspectives, and support those who challenge the norm.

Champion Growth and Adaptability:

Don’t just reward expertise, reward learning and adaptability. Make sure your systems and job descriptions value what people can become, not just what they’ve done.

Encourage Healthy Stretching:

Growth happens when teams step outside their comfort zones, but not so far that they feel overwhelmed. Support your team in experimenting, tackling new challenges, and admitting when they don’t have all the answers. Progress comes from trying, learning, and adjusting together.

Hire for Learning, Not Just Experience:

Look for candidates who learn fast, adapt to change, and solve problems collaboratively—not just those with the perfect resume.

Break Down Silos:

Rotate people across departments, mix up project teams, and create communities that cross boundaries.

Make Feedback Continuous:

Replace annual reviews with ongoing conversations and real-time feedback. Make sure information flows quickly and action follows.

Develop Adaptive Leaders:

Train leaders to facilitate, ask great questions, and manage uncertainty, not just direct and decide.

Start Small, Measure What Matters:

You don’t need a grand plan to start. Try new approaches with your team, pilot agility practices in one department, or add an agility-focused question to your interviews:

“Can you share an example of a time when you had to quickly learn a new skill or adapt to an unexpected change at work? How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?”

Monitor progress by tracking time from idea to implementation, frequency of cross-team collaboration, and employee confidence in managing change.

The Bottom Line:

Agility isn’t a quick fix—it’s a long game.

There will be setbacks, but organisations that commit to building both mindset and capability don’t just survive—they shape the future.

The culture you create today is the organisation you’ll become tomorrow. What’s one step you can take this week to make your team more agile?

If you’d like some help on how to get started, contact us today for a free, initial chat.

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7 Key Skills for the Future Workforce: A Guide for Recruitment Professionals

The workplace landscape is changing faster than ever before. Rapid advancements in technology are reshaping industries. Shifting workplace dynamics and global events also play a role. It is essential for businesses and employees alike to stay ahead of the curve. For HR and recruitment professionals, understanding the skills that will define tomorrow’s workforce is crucial for sourcing, hiring, and retaining top talent.

The Key Skills of the Future Workforce

1. Digital Literacy and Tech Adaptability

Digital literacy goes beyond basic computer skills.

As automation and artificial intelligence (AI) continue to transform industries, employees must become proficient in digital tools and emerging technologies. Skills like data analysis, cloud computing, and cybersecurity will be in high demand across various sectors. AI integration will also be important. Understanding how to leverage social media for professional purposes will be crucial, and staying updated with the latest digital trends is essential as well.

The ability to adapt to new digital platforms quickly will be a fundamental necessity for professionals in all fields.

2. Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving

With increasing automation handling routine tasks, human employees will be relied upon for higher-order thinking. The ability to analyse complex situations, assess risks, and develop innovative solutions will be a significant asset. Employers will seek candidates who can make data-driven decisions and solve problems in an ever-changing business landscape.

3. Emotional Intelligence (EI) and Leadership

While technology is revolutionising the workplace, human-centric skills remain irreplaceable. Emotional intelligence involves the ability to recognise, understand, and manage one’s own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. High EI is linked to better teamwork, communication, and leadership skills. Employees with strong emotional intelligence can navigate social complexities, resolve conflicts, and build positive relationships in the workplace. This skill is increasingly important as organisations prioritise collaborative and inclusive work environments. Additionally, leadership skills will be essential not just for managers. Employees at all levels need to motivate, mentor, and inspire teams in a hybrid or remote environment.

4. Adaptability, Flexibility  and Resilience

The only constant in the modern workplace is change. Professionals who can adapt quickly to new trends, disruptions, and business models will thrive. This involves being open to learning new skills, embracing change, and being capable of pivot strategies as needed.

Flexibility means being willing to work in different environments. This includes remote, hybrid, or on-site work environments. It also involves adjusting to new workflows and technologies. Resilience is the ability to handle stress. It is essential to recover from setbacks. Staying productive is also crucial. This trait will be valuable for both individuals and organisations looking to stay competitive in an uncertain world.

5. Lifelong Learning

The concept of learning is no longer confined to formal education. As industries evolve, employees must continuously update their skills through online courses, certifications, workshops, and self-directed learning. This involves seeking out new learning opportunities, staying curious, and being proactive about professional development. Lifelong learners are more adaptable, innovative, and better prepared to navigate the evolving job landscape.

6. Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration and Remote Work Efficiency

The future workplace will emphasise collaboration across departments, disciplines, and even geographical locations. Employees who can work effectively with diverse teams, communicate across cultural boundaries, and manage projects remotely will have a competitive edge. This includes skills in virtual collaboration, time management, and maintaining productivity outside of a traditional office setting.

7. Green Skills

As sustainability becomes a priority, skills related to the green economy will be in demand. This includes knowledge of sustainable practices, environmental regulations, and the ability to implement green initiatives. Employees with green skills can help organisations reduce their environmental impact, follow regulations, and develop sustainable products and services. These skills are particularly relevant in industries like renewable energy, construction, and manufacturing.

What This Means for HR and Recruitment

HR professionals and recruiters must evolve alongside these workforce trends. Here are some key takeaways:

  • Focus on skills over traditional qualifications: Instead of prioritising degrees and years of experience, assess a candidate’s adaptability. Evaluate their problem-solving ability and willingness to learn.
  • Invest in continuous training and upskilling: Encourage a culture of learning within your organisation. Offer professional development opportunities to employees.
  • Leverage AI and data-driven recruitment strategies: Use technology to recognise top talent based on skills mapping and predictive analytics.
  • Promote workplace flexibility: Hybrid and remote work models are becoming the norm. Companies should support work-life balance, and also enhance digital collaboration.
  • Green Skills: Focus on sustainability in job descriptions and use eco-friendly hiring practices. Train employees in green skills and promote a culture of sustainability.

Conclusion

The workforce of the future will be defined by its ability to navigate an ever-changing landscape. HR and recruitment professionals should focus on the skills that matter most. These include digital skills, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, adaptability, lifelong learning, and collaboration. Doing so will guarantee their organisations stay resilient. This focus will keep them competitive in the years to come.

Are you ready to future-proof your hiring strategy? Get in touch with us today to find the right talent for tomorrow’s workforce.

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New Year, New Goals: Setting Resolutions for Success in the Workplace

As the calendar turns to a new year, it’s the perfect opportunity to reflect, reset, and refocus on our goals—both personal and professional. For employees, this is an excellent time to think about career growth, workplace wellbeing, and how to make the most of the year ahead. Here’s how you can approach New Year’s resolutions and goal-setting in a meaningful and achievable way.

The Importance of Goal-Setting

Setting clear, actionable goals can have a profound impact on your professional life. Goals help provide direction, improve focus, and create a sense of accomplishment. Whether it’s mastering a new skill, improving productivity, or strengthening team collaboration, having a clear plan keeps you motivated and engaged.

How to Set Effective Goals

To ensure success, consider adopting the SMART criteria for goal-setting. SMART stands for:

  1. Specific: Define exactly what you want to achieve.
  2. Measurable: Include criteria to track your progress.
  3. Achievable: Set goals that are realistic given your resources and time.
  4. Relevant: Align your goals with your broader career or organisational objectives.
  5. Time-bound: Establish a clear deadline to maintain momentum.

For example, instead of saying, “I want to improve my communication skills,” try, “I will complete a professional communication workshop by June and practice presenting during monthly team meetings.”

Goal Ideas for the Workplace

Here are some suggestions to inspire your professional resolutions:

  • Career Development: Enroll in a certification course or attend industry conferences.
  • Wellness: Prioritise work-life balance by setting boundaries around work hours.
  • Collaboration: Commit to improving teamwork by participating in more cross-departmental projects.
  • Leadership: Take on a mentoring role or lead a project to build leadership skills.
  • Efficiency: Explore new tools or methods to streamline your daily tasks.

Tips for Sticking to Your Goals

  1. Break Goals into Smaller Steps: Divide larger objectives into manageable tasks.
  2. Track Progress Regularly: Use tools like journals, apps, or check-ins with a mentor to stay on track.
  3. Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge your achievements along the way to stay motivated.
  4. Stay Flexible: Adjust goals as needed to account for changing circumstances or priorities.
  5. Share Your Goals: Discussing your goals with your manager or colleagues can provide accountability and support.

How Employers Can Support Goal-Setting

Managers and HR teams play a crucial role in fostering an environment where employees can thrive. Here’s how:

  • Provide Resources: Offer training programs, mentorship opportunities, and access to professional development tools.
  • Encourage Open Communication: Regular check-ins create a space for employees to discuss their goals and challenges.
  • Recognise Achievements: Celebrate successes to boost morale and show appreciation for employees’ efforts.
  • Promote Wellness: Encourage a culture that values mental and physical health to help employees perform at their best.

Looking Ahead

The start of a new year is brimming with potential. By setting thoughtful, achievable goals, you can create a roadmap for professional growth and personal satisfaction. Remember, goal-setting isn’t just about reaching the destination; it’s about embracing the journey, learning, and celebrating your progress along the way.

Here’s to a successful and fulfilling year ahead!

If you would like further support in setting goals or any other HR or recruitment issues, please contact us today for an initial chat.

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Effective Strategies to Prevent Candidate No-Shows in Job Interviews

One of the most frustrating parts of the hiring process for the manager is when a candidate simply doesn’t show up for their interview. Not only does this waste valuable time, but it also slows down your hiring efforts. Fortunately, there are effective strategies that companies can use to reduce the likelihood of candidate no-shows. Here’s a breakdown of how to keep candidates engaged and committed throughout the interview process.

1. Set Clear Expectations Early On

The journey from application to interview should be seamless for candidates. From the very first touchpoint, make sure candidates understand what to expect. This means providing clear communication about the interview process, the format, and who they will meet. By offering detailed information upfront, you reduce uncertainty, which can help increase a candidate’s commitment to showing up.

2. Personalise Your Communication

Automated responses might be efficient, but they can feel impersonal. To make candidates feel valued, add a personal touch to your communications. Sending a personalised email from the recruiter or hiring manager shows that you’re genuinely interested in their application. Mention something specific about their background or why you’re excited to meet them. This small gesture can make a big difference in fostering accountability.

3. Send Timely and Thoughtful Reminders

Candidates lead busy lives, and sometimes, interviews slip through the cracks. To prevent this, send a reminder email or text message 24 to 48 hours before the interview. Better yet, include an option for the candidate to confirm their attendance with a simple click. This gives them an easy way to notify you if they need to reschedule, and it reinforces the importance of the upcoming meeting.

4. Create a Positive Candidate Experience

Making the interview process as candidate friendly as possible can go a long way in preventing no-shows. This starts with flexibility. Offer interview slots that accommodate the candidate’s schedule and be open to rescheduling when necessary. Creating a welcoming and supportive experience shows candidates that your company respects their time and effort, making them more likely to commit to attending.

5. Maintain Momentum

Long gaps between stages in the hiring process can lead to candidate disengagement. To keep candidates interested, maintain momentum by moving them through the process quickly and staying in regular communication. Even if there’s no significant update, a quick check-in message can remind them that they’re still on your radar, which helps keep the opportunity top of mind.

6. Consider a Pre-Interview Call

A short pre-interview call can be an effective way to ensure commitment. This call doesn’t have to be formal—just a quick check-in to confirm the upcoming interview and answer any last-minute questions. It also gives candidates a chance to reaffirm their interest and lets them know you’re investing time and effort into meeting them.

7. Offer Virtual Interview Options

While in-person interviews have their advantages, offering virtual options can make it easier for candidates to attend. Virtual interviews eliminate the hassle of travel and make it possible for candidates to join from anywhere. This flexibility can reduce the risk of no-shows, especially for candidates who may be balancing multiple commitments.

8. Follow Up on No-Shows

Even with the best efforts, no-shows can still happen. When they do, it’s important to follow up. A missed interview doesn’t necessarily mean a candidate has lost interest—there could be unforeseen circumstances or simple miscommunication. Reaching out to reschedule shows professionalism and can sometimes turn the situation around.

Conclusion

Candidate no-shows are an inevitable part of the hiring process, but they don’t have to be a frequent occurrence. By focusing on clear communication, personalising the candidate experience, and offering flexibility, you can minimize the chances of no-shows and streamline your hiring efforts. Implementing these strategies not only helps keep your schedule intact but also creates a more positive experience for candidates, which reflects well on your company’s brand.

A Note to Candidates: Why Showing Up Matters

If you’re a candidate considering skipping an interview, remember that showing up is more than just a formality—it’s an important step in building your professional reputation. Interviews are opportunities to showcase your skills, personality, and enthusiasm for the role. Even if you’re unsure about the position or have second thoughts, attending the interview or communicating your change of plans respectfully is a mark of professionalism. Ghosting an interview not only burns bridges with that company but could impact your future job search, as hiring networks are often more connected than you might think. Showing up—or at least notifying the recruiter if you can’t—keeps doors open for future opportunities.

For more support on this or any other HR or recruitment topics, contact us today.

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Exploring the Endless Benefits of Volunteering

Volunteering offers a multitude of benefits, both for the individuals giving their time and effort and for the communities and causes they serve. Here are some of the key advantages:

  1. Sense of Purpose: Volunteering provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment and gives individuals the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others or in their community.
  2. Skill Development: Volunteers often acquire new skills or enhance existing ones. Whether it’s leadership, communication, problem-solving, or teamwork, the diverse experiences gained through volunteering can be valuable in personal and professional growth.
  3. Expanding Networks: Volunteering connects people with shared interests and values, fostering new friendships and expanding professional networks.
  4. Improved Physical Health and Wellbeing: Research suggests that volunteering can positively impact mental and emotional wellbeing. It can reduce stress, combat depression, and provide a sense of happiness and fulfilment.
  5. Building Empathy and Understanding: Exposure to different people and situations through volunteering can increase empathy and understanding of different perspectives and challenges faced by others.
  6. Community Impact: Volunteering has a direct and positive impact on communities. It brings people together, transcending differences to work towards a common goal—improving the lives of others.
  7. Personal Growth: Volunteering often leads to personal growth by challenging individuals to step out of their comfort zones, learn from experiences, and develop a broader worldview.
  8. Feeling Connected: Volunteering creates a sense of belonging and connection to a community or cause, instilling a feeling of pride in contributing to the greater good.
  9. Inspiration for Others: By leading by example, volunteers can inspire others to get involved and create a ripple effect of positive change in society.

As revealed, volunteering can enhance CV’s when you’re looking for a new role, and build confidence if you’re looking to return to the workplace.

Encouraging employees to volunteer also brings many benefits to businesses. It boosts morale and engagement, enhances the company’s image, and helps employees develop skills while strengthening teamwork.

Volunteering goes beyond charity—it sparks personal growth, uplifts communities, and drives positive change. Each act of giving back brings us closer to a brighter, more connected world.

If you’d like to chat about the benefits of volunteering, contact us today.

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The best of both worlds. I cook amazing food and can still put the kids to bed.

When I started out in hospitality (or catering as we called it then), Contract Catering was a tough sell. The perception was stuffy. It was where THF went when hotels upped their game. It was where the Berni Inn brigade went when TGI Fridays stormed the casual dining sector.

But things change, and the perception of contract catering has changed with it. Today, some of the biggest names in hospitality are in contract catering: Jamie Oliver (at Cornwall’s Eden Project), Raymond Blanc (at Oxford University) and Peter Gordon (with his own contract catering company) to name a few.

So, what is it about Contract Catering that appeals? It’s not just the big names. All over the country people are opting for career in contract catering and here’s why:

Flexibility – Most people in contract catering work Monday to Friday with weekends off so being home to spend more time with your family is a real benefit. I missed a lot of my kid’s early years, but working in a contract would have completely changed that. Even with some evening and weekend events, the regular working schedule is much more family friendly.

Variety – Every day is different, and chefs cook for a variety of people: from employees to VIPs on a daily basis.

Top quality food. With people heading back to the workplace post-covid, some of the biggest businesses are investing heavily in their in-house catering offer. The menu development work is now right at the cutting edge of culinary art. The expectations of standards is higher than it’s ever been, and you won’t get bored.

Career Progression – Contract caterers are now really competitive, salary wise. They pay well, and most are committed to promoting from within. Careers can be built, and now is an excellent time to consider a move.

The Bottom Line – Contract Catering is now a great option if you’re looking at your next career move. You can achieve the best of all worlds. The opportunity to create amazing food, make a decent living, stretch your professional abilities and still get home to put the kids to bed.

If you’re interested in exploring opportunities or just want to hear a little more, drop me a quick line here and we’ll arrange a chat.

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