The Recruitment Playbook by We Do Group

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It’s Christmas Eve, and the We Do Grotto is officially signing off for the season! 🎅

Here’s how we’re spending the big day:
🎁 Family Time: For all of us, it’s about being with loved ones, sharing laughs, and enjoying a day free from distractions.
🍴 Food and Fun: Cheese and crackers, games, and plenty of festive cheer are always on the menu.
🎶 Christmas Soundtrack: No TVs blaring – just Michael Bublé and the sweet sounds of Christmas.

The real magic starts on Christmas Eve night when everything quiets down, and you feel that special moment before the festivities begin.

From all of us at We Do Group, we want to wish you, your family, and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 🎉

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Welcome back to the We Do Grotto! Today’s festive debate: To decorate or not to decorate the office?

🎅 Patrick’s Take:
Less is more. Keep it understated and professional. (Although rumour has it, Patrick’s desk is basically a snow globe, so take that with a pinch of tinsel!)

🎅 Real vs. Artificial Trees:
 • Real Trees: Nothing beats the smell, but they’re undeniably messy.
 • Artificial Trees: Easy to maintain, long-lasting, and some look just as good as the real thing.
It’s a tough call, but the key is finding what works best for your team’s vibe (and tidiness levels).

What’s your office policy? Subtle sparkle or full-on festive explosion? Let us know!

Catch today’s episode for the full discussion:
Apple Music: https://lnkd.in/dRtupEHT
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/dq6AWkZY

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Welcome back to the We Do Grotto, where today we’re diving into two festive favourites: hybrid working and Secret Santa faux pas.

🎅 Hybrid Working – Like Choosing a Holiday:
Think of it this way:
 • Five days in the office? That’s your winter holiday – structured, cosy, maybe a bit intense.
 • Fully remote? That’s your summer holiday – relaxed, flexible, and sunny.
 • Hybrid? The best of both worlds – just like mixing winter and summer getaways throughout the year.

What’s the trend?
 • The best candidates are standing firm, with many saying two days in the office is their max.
 • Clients often want three days in-office or more. The sweet spot? Finding compromises that work for both sides.

🎅 Secret Santa Shenanigans:
 • The Selection Process: The real drama starts before gifts are even bought – the joy (or dread) when someone draws the name they secretly didn’t want.
 • Last-Minute Gifts: The ultimate faux pas? Turning up empty-handed and resorting to a quick Costa voucher. Don’t be that person!
 • The Real Fun: Watching the reactions – from laughter to confusion – when the gifts are finally exchanged.

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Welcome back to the We Do Grotto, where today’s festive chat takes a turn into the practical – all inspired by the man with the world’s longest commute: Santa Claus himself.

🎅 What’s an acceptable commute these days?
 • The Old Standard: An hour used to be the golden rule.
 • The New Reality: With hybrid working, people often prefer shorter commutes, even for just two office days a week – 45 minutes seems to be the sweet spot.
 • The Exception: Commuting into London can often stretch to two hours when you add in travel to the station, waiting, and the train itself – yet many still find it acceptable for the right role.

🎅 What about the employer’s perspective?
 • Personal Preference Matters: The commute must align with an individual’s life and priorities – family, hobbies, and long-term sustainability all play a role.
 • Can They Realistically Manage It? If someone says they’re happy to travel 2.5 hours each way, it’s worth asking:
 • Can they sustain it during tough weeks?
 • Will it impact their performance or well-being over time?

🎅 The Bottom Line:
Every commute decision should be personal, balanced, and realistic. Candidates and employers alike should think about the worst-case scenario – like a bad traffic day or a late train – and decide if it’s still manageable.

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Welcome back to the We Do Grotto, where today we’re reflecting on what makes WeDo Group unique – and why we approach recruitment differently.

Here’s what sets us apart:

🎅 It’s about people, not numbers.
We don’t chase KPIs or focus on volume. Instead, we prioritise building meaningful relationships. Whether it’s three quality conversations or meetings in a day, it’s all about making a genuine connection and delivering real value.

🎅 A creative, collaborative environment.
We thrive on ideas – testing new ways to represent candidates and improve recruitment processes. Not every idea works, but we embrace failures as learning opportunities. The key is constantly challenging the norm to push boundaries for our clients and candidates.

🎅 Adding value in every interaction.
Even when we’re not working on a specific transaction, we aim to engage meaningfully. Whether it’s advice, support, or a bit of festive fun from our grotto, we want every interaction to feel worthwhile.

As we look back on the year, we’re grateful for the amazing relationships we’ve built and excited for what’s to come in the next. Here’s to another year of challenging the status quo and growing together!

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Welcome back to the We Do Grotto, where today’s question is one we hear a lot: Should you use humour on your CV?

Here’s the verdict:
🎅 Humour is subjective. What one person finds funny, another might find unprofessional. Especially in roles like finance directors or CFOs, humour can be a risky move.
🎅 Avoid it on the CV. Keep your CV professional, clear, and accurate. Save the jokes for hobbies if you must, but even then, tread carefully.
🎅 Use humour elsewhere. A cover letter or LinkedIn message is a better place to inject a little personality. If done right, it can help you stand out – but keep it tasteful and relevant.

As much as we love a laugh, your CV is your chance to show your skills and experience, not your comedy routine.

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Welcome back to the We Do Grotto, where today’s chat dives into two of life’s toughest questions: what’s the best interview question to ask? and cheese or Christmas pudding?

🎅 The Best Interview Question:
We shared some memorable ones:
 • “What’s the thing about you that you don’t want me to know?” Tough but revealing.
 • “What’s 25 x 25?” A quick test of mental maths and composure.
 • Abstract questions: Like “How many tennis balls fit in a 747?” These test problem-solving methods, but can throw some candidates off.

The favourite?
“Tell me about you.”
 • It’s open-ended, human, and lets candidates share their story without pressure.
 • A relaxed candidate is more likely to show their true self – and that’s who you’re hiring.

🎅 Cheese or Christmas Pudding?
 • Alex’s pick: Cheese and crackers – but only with sweet chilli jam or chutney.
 • No chutney? Then it’s Christmas pudding.

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Welcome back to the We Do Grotto, where today’s topic is all about how recruiters can make the most of December – a month that’s anything but predictable.

🎅 George Richings' advice:
 • Don’t slow down. December might be quieter for some, but it’s often one of the busiest months for closing deals and finding talent. Keep your foot on the throttle.
 • Get organised. Use any quieter moments to update client and candidate lists, tidy up admin, and prepare for a fresh start in January.
 • Say thank you. Send Christmas cards or messages to the clients and candidates who’ve worked with you throughout the year – a small gesture that goes a long way.

🎅 Patrick McCubbin's advice:
 • December is the perfect time to consolidate your efforts. Reflect on your achievements, connect with your network, and start planning for the new year.

🎅 Alex Madigan's advice:
 • Take December off entirely and leave your out-of-office to handle the rest. (We don’t actually recommend this, but it sounds like Alex had a great time last year. 😏)

December is the ideal time to balance hard work with preparation and gratitude. Finish the year strong and start January ahead of the game.

Catch today’s episode for the full chat and a few laughs:
Apple Music: https://lnkd.in/dRtupEHT
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/dq6AWkZY

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Welcome back to the We Do Grotto, where the tinsel is tingling, bells are ringing, and the Christmas spirit is in full swing. But as festive as December can be, it’s not always smooth sailing – especially when someone hands in their resignation right before the holidays.

So, how do you handle it as a client? Here’s our advice:

🎅 Step 1: Don’t take it personally.
It’s natural to feel a little emotional, but take a step back and avoid reacting. Instead, ask questions and listen carefully to the reasons behind the resignation. Understanding their perspective can help you decide if there’s a way to resolve the situation or move forward gracefully.

🎅 Step 2: Look internally first.
Before jumping straight to external recruitment, assess whether there’s someone on your team who could step up. Promoting from within not only shows faith in your team but can also be faster and more cost-effective.

🎅 Step 3: Plan ahead.
If an internal solution isn’t possible, start preparing for January.
 • Get the groundwork done in December – draft the job spec, start market mapping, or speak to your agency.
 • By planting the seeds early, you can hit the ground running in the new year with a clearer picture of the talent landscape.

🎅 Step 4: Keep the notice period positive.
Even if someone’s leaving, maintain a supportive and professional environment during their notice period. Negative reactions can demotivate employees, which could affect their handover and leave a lasting impression.

Resignations at Christmas might not be ideal, but with the right approach, you can turn it into an opportunity for growth.

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Welcome back to the We Do Grotto, where today’s episode is all about reflecting on the highs of 2024 – from business milestones to personal moments worth celebrating.

Here’s what stood out:
🎅 Alex’s highlight: Moving into a bigger, creative office space that inspires the team to think differently, push boundaries, and grow into the next stage of the business.
🎅 Patrick’s highlight: Watching the company evolve – from a small start-up to a growing business with a capable team. The sense of traction and momentum is exciting, with more growth on the horizon.
🎅 George’s highlight: Celebrating both professional and personal wins – the business growth journey, new team members, and life milestones like Alex’s engagement and the arrival of baby Bertie.

It’s been a year of growth, challenges, and plenty of reasons to celebrate – and 2025 promises even more.