Planning for September? Why Now is the Time to Hire

We hear it every year: “Let’s get through summer, then we’ll pick things up in September.”

But here’s the thing. If you're waiting until September to start the hiring process, you're already behind.

At Handley James, we work closely with manufacturing and chemical businesses that can’t afford to lose momentum even during the summer slowdown. And time and again, it’s the businesses that get proactive in August that enter Q3 and Q4 stronger, more focused, and ahead of the competition.

Why August Still Matters in Recruitment

Yes, people are away.
Yes, inboxes are quieter.
But August is far from dead when it comes to senior recruitment.

In fact, this is often the time when strong candidates are reflecting on their next move. Things are quieter, they’re out of day-to-day firefighting mode, and they finally have space to think. That’s exactly when conversations with the right recruiter can open new doors.

Less Noise = More Focused Hiring

Here’s a little insider truth: When fewer companies are hiring, your vacancy stands out more.

In busy hiring months like September and October, great candidates are juggling multiple interview processes. In August, they’re not. That gives you a real chance to connect with high-calibre professionals without the noise.

It also gives you the space to plan properly. Rather than rushing to fill gaps under pressure, you can be more considered in your brief, your interviews, and your offer strategy.

What You Can Do This Month

• Reassess your current leadership structure and hiring needs
  
• Get ahead of your Q4 goals by starting the process now
  
• Have informal conversations with talent (or with us!)
  
• Use the quiet to refine your employer branding and recruitment messaging
  

We’ll Keep Things Moving Even if You’re Away

One of the benefits of working with a specialist recruiter like Handley James is that we can keep things moving even while your key decision-makers are in and out of the business.

We’re used to navigating summer schedules. We’ll only bring you the candidates worth your time and we’ll keep the momentum going so that when you’re back in full swing, the groundwork is already done.

Final Thought

If you're planning to hire in September, now is the time to start.

We’re here to help you get ahead, not play catch-up.

Need support with your next hire?
At Handley James, we specialise in senior-level recruitment for the manufacturing and chemical sectors. Whether you’re ready to start the search or just need advice on what the market’s doing, we’re here to help.

Get in touch for a no-pressure chat. We'll guide you through the process and help you find the right fit, not just the quickest fix.