Bennett and Game Recruitment

Q3 Hiring Insights: A Strong Quarter in a Tougher Market (and the Countdown to Christmas)

02 Nov 2026

Despite a tougher UK hiring market, with fewer vacancies and more cautious employers, Q3 was our strongest quarter of the year. As we enter the final quarter of 2026, we're looking back on a strong third quarter at Bennett & Game.

From adding new jobs and increasing placements to expanding our contract recruitment offering, the results show the value of building strong relationships, understanding the market and planning ahead.

Q3 2026: Our Results at a Glance

Our third-quarter results reflect the continued work of our consultants and the relationships we've built with clients and candidates across our specialist recruitment sectors.

Here's our Q3 statistics:

873 new jobs added
3,038 CVs sent to jobs
1,028 interviews
82% offer acceptance rate
Third consecutive quarter of placement growth

These figures demonstrate the activity behind our results, from identifying new opportunities and matching candidates to vacancies to supporting clients throughout the interview and offer process.

Our placement growth for the third consecutive quarter is particularly encouraging, providing a positive foundation as we move into the final months of the year.

The UK Recruitment Market: What the Latest Figures Tell Us

The wider market remains challenging. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), UK vacancies fell by 8,000 to 702,000 between June and August 2026. This was the lowest level recorded outside the COVID-19 pandemic period since 2014. The ONS also reported that feedback from smaller businesses suggested rising labour costs were affecting their recruitment decisions. (ONS labour market data)

However, the latest KPMG and REC UK Report on Jobs offers some encouraging signs. Published on 8 October 2026, the report found that permanent placements and temporary billings both increased marginally in September, while the rate of decline in vacancies was the weakest in more than two years. Permanent placements also recorded their strongest rate of growth in four years, although pay growth moderated. (KPMG/REC Report on Jobs)

For employers, this creates an opportunity to approach recruitment strategically. In a quieter market, businesses that recruit effectively can access strong candidates while facing less competition for talent. Clear requirements, competitive salaries and efficient interview processes remain important for securing the right people.

Six Months of Contract Recruitment: Building Momentum

It's now six months since we launched our contract recruitment offering, and the results show how quickly this part of the business has developed.

Since launch, we've added 46 contract roles:

Q1: 2 contract roles
Q2: 20 contract roles
Q3: 24 contract roles

This growth reflects the value of offering businesses a flexible approach to workforce planning. When companies need specialist skills to deliver projects, cover temporary gaps or manage changing workloads, contractors can provide the expertise they need without the same long-term headcount commitment as a permanent hire.

In the current climate, this flexibility can help businesses maintain momentum while managing costs and responding to changing priorities.

As we continue to develop our contract offering, we're focused on helping clients find the right skills for their immediate requirements, whether that's supporting a specific project or providing additional capacity during a busy period.

Looking for contract recruitment support? Matthew Salmon and our team can help you explore the options available and identify the right solution for your business.

Find out more about our contract recruitment services.

One Year of Bullhorn: Turning Data into Better Recruitment Decisions

October also marks one year since we went live with Bullhorn, our recruitment platform, in October 2025.

The transition was an important step in how we manage our recruitment processes, with the implementation and data transfer supported by Kyloe. Over the past year, we've continued to develop our use of Bullhorn's applicant tracking system, analytics and automation tools to help our consultants work more efficiently.

You can read more about the transition and what we've achieved in our one-year Bullhorn anniversary blog.

Now, with a full year of data behind us, we're also better positioned to turn our recruitment activity into useful market intelligence for clients.

This means we can use our data to support:

Salary benchmarking: Understand how salaries compare across relevant roles and markets.
Hiring insights: Build a clearer picture of recruitment activity and the challenges affecting your sector.
Talent pool mapping: Understand the availability of relevant candidates and where the skills your business needs can be found.

Having access to this information helps employers make more informed decisions about their recruitment strategies, from setting realistic salary expectations to planning when and how to approach the market.

Whether you're preparing to recruit for a new position or reviewing your workforce plans for 2027, our team can help you understand the market before making your next move.

Request salary benchmarking.

Request hiring insights

Request talent pool mapping

Looking Ahead: A Message from CRO Martin Whiteley

Reflecting on the quarter, Martin highlights the importance of planning ahead and working closely with recruitment partners as businesses prepare for the year ahead.

“Q3 has been our strongest quarter of the year, and the clients doing best have a few things in common. They plan their hiring ahead instead of reacting when someone leaves, they treat us as a partner rather than one of several agencies, and they’re clear about what they want and confident when the right person comes along.

“The market is tougher, but those businesses haven’t slowed down. They’ve used it to secure great people while others hold back. Heading into Q4, the businesses that plan now will start 2027 with the teams they need.”

The Countdown to Christmas: Why Now Is the Time to Plan

With Christmas approaching, the final quarter of the year can pass quickly. Between annual leave, reduced availability and year-end deadlines, recruitment processes can take longer than expected if they're left until the last minute.

Whether you're looking to strengthen your team or considering your next career move, taking action now can help you make the most of the opportunities available.

Advice for Employers: Get Ahead Before the Christmas Break

1. Get your headcount approved early

If you're planning to recruit before the end of the year or early in 2027, start discussing headcount and budgets now. Internal approvals can take longer during the festive period, so getting the process underway early will give you more time to find the right person.

2. Aim to interview in October and November

Starting your search early gives you more time to identify suitable candidates, arrange interviews and make offers before the Christmas break. It also helps avoid losing strong candidates to employers who can move more quickly.

3. Plan contract cover for year-end deadlines

If your business has projects to complete before the end of the year, consider whether temporary or contract support could help you meet deadlines and manage additional workloads. Planning ahead gives you more time to find the right skills and arrange cover.

4. Start building your 2027 recruitment strategy

Use the final quarter to identify skills gaps, review salary expectations and establish which roles will be priorities in the new year. A clear plan will help you respond quickly when the right candidates become available.

Advice for Candidates: Why Q4 Can Be a Good Time to Move

The final months of the year can also present opportunities for jobseekers. Employers may be looking to fill vacancies before year-end, complete recruitment plans or secure talent for projects starting in the new year.

If you're considering a move, here are three ways to get ahead.

1. Don't wait until January to start looking

Recruitment activity doesn't stop at Christmas. Starting your search in October or November gives you time to explore opportunities, speak to recruiters and progress through interviews before the festive break.

2. Get your CV ready

Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience, technical skills and achievements. A clear, up-to-date CV helps recruiters understand what you can offer and identify suitable opportunities.

3. Be prepared to act when the right role comes along

If you're serious about moving, be clear about what you're looking for, including your salary expectations, preferred working arrangements and long-term career goals. Being prepared can help you move confidently when a suitable opportunity arises.

For more advice, read our blog: CV Tips for Technical Professionals: What Recruiters Actually Look For

Looking Ahead to Q4 and 2027

Our Q3 results demonstrate that progress is possible even when the wider market is challenging. With 873 new jobs added, more than 1,000 interviews completed and our third consecutive quarter of placement growth, we're continuing to build momentum across our specialist recruitment sectors.

Our contract recruitment offering is also growing, while a year of Bullhorn data is helping us provide clients with more informed insights to support their hiring decisions.

As we approach Christmas and look towards 2027, our advice to employers and candidates is simple: plan ahead, understand your options and be ready to act when the right opportunity comes along.