Field notes on hiring people for frontline work.
Hire smarter with our best articles, case studies, tips and tools.
Traditional vs Realistic Recruitment
Most hiring teams are under pressure to improve time-to-fill.That makes sense, open roles create real operational pain. But speed doesn’t tell you whether the person who accepted the role will still be there in three weeks. And when candidates aren’t a good fit, it shows through early attrition, retraining costs, frustrated managers, and leadership asking: […]
The hidden “tests” candidates face — and why entry-level hiring needs proper processes
A guide to fair, consistent, and predictive selection methods for entry-level hiring. Every week another Reddit post goes viral, exposing the strange, improvised “tests” candidates face. And this week, one Reddit post summed up the whole problem in a single screenshot. A hiring manager proudly described their “punctuality test”: They join a Zoom call 15 […]
Are Personality Tests Valid for Pre-Employment?
Personality testing has been part of the HR toolkit for decades. It feels structured, it feels objective, and it gives the impression of insight into how people think and behave.But the moment you use a personality test for pre-employment screening, the expectations change. The assessment must be predictive, job-relevant, and defensible — not just interesting. […]
Are your hiring assessments legally defensible?
A bad hire hurts. But using assessments that can’t be legally justified? That can cost far more — in tribunal payouts, reputation, and compliance penalties. From the UK to North America, employment law is converging around one principle: selection tools must be fair, evidence-based, and clearly job-related. Regulators, candidates, and courts are now asking what […]
How to Create an AI-Proof Pre-Screening Assessment
Over half of candidates now use AI at some point in their job search.That’s not a threat — it’s a signal that hiring needs to evolve. As Chris Platts, CEO of ThriveMap, puts it: “It’s not about beating AI. Companies use AI too. The real question is: how do we design hiring processes that still […]
How to identify quality candidates (and why it’s not about who looks best on paper)
Hiring at scale can feel like a gamble. The CV looks strong, the interview goes well, they start. Then three weeks later, the person quits, underperforms, or just wasn’t the right fit. Identifying quality candidates is essential to long-term profitability. The cost of a bad hire in the UK ranges from 1.5 to 4 times the […]
8 Best Video Interview Software Tools to Streamline Hiring
Introduction Hiring top talent has never been more competitive, or more virtual. With distributed teams and busy schedules, video interview software has become an essential tool for recruiters, hiring managers, and HR professionals looking to evaluate candidates efficiently while delivering a great experience. In this post, we’ll cover the 8 best video interview tools, explain […]
Employee Selection Tests: Types, Tips, and Best Practices
In today’s job market, it’s not enough to rely solely on resumes and interviews to make hiring decisions. Employee selection tests are a useful tool to help employers make informed decisions about candidates. These tests measure job-related skills, knowledge, and abilities, and can provide valuable insight into a candidate’s potential for success in a role. […]
How Higgs LLP is identifying early careers legal talent with ThriveMap
At Higgs LLP, everything starts with people. For over a century, this Black Country-based law firm has been a cornerstone of legal expertise, built on a foundation of authenticity, inclusivity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. But for Higgs, the key to delivering exceptional results lies in a simple philosophy:“If we take care of our […]