07 May 2025 Tips on how to navigate the evolving recruitment landscape

When I reflect on my 20+ years in recruitment and HR, one thing is abundantly clear: the world of work is changing—fast. In my current role as Chief People Officer at Oak Group, I see these changes up close, and I'm passionate about helping both employers and candidates adapt, grow, and succeed in this evolving landscape.

Starting strong at Oak

Joining Oak towards the end of 2024, based in Guernsey, I wasted no time visiting our jurisdictions—Jersey, the Isle of Man, and Mauritius—within my first three months. Why? Because I firmly believe in the value of face-to-face interaction, especially in the early stages of building relationships. It's how I get a real sense of the local teams and market nuances. Oak is a hugely ambitious company with exciting growth plans, and I want to bring people with me on that journey. Preparing our people and culture for that growth is a key part of my focus. With our recent acquisition of Amber Trust Ltd in The Bahamas, I'm excited to plan my visit to meet the growing team. 

What I'm seeing in the market right now

The beginning of the year typically sparks a lot of job movement, and this year has been no exception. We’ve seen a noticeable uptick in candidate interest—both internally and externally—which is always energising.

Today’s candidates are looking for more than just a pay cheque. Questions around company values, flexible working, health initiatives, volunteering opportunities, and sustainability efforts are coming up more frequently in interviews. People want to know what makes a company tick beyond the job description. And that’s a good thing—it means individuals are looking for real alignment.

The rise of digital and transferable skills

In interviews, I’m now asking candidates about their use of AI tools like ChatGPT or Power BI. Technology can massively boost productivity and efficiency, and I think it’s important for people to take the initiative to learn these tools on their own. The ability to adapt, upskill, and transfer knowledge across different roles or industries is more important than ever.

Transferable skills are critical. Every business is unique, but if you can bring a wide range of adaptable skills to the table, you’ll stand out. I always tell candidates: study the job description carefully and think creatively about how your experience can map onto the role.

Shifting from employer-centric to employee-centric

It’s no secret that recruitment has become an employee’s market. Candidates are making more selective choices about the companies they work for—especially around flexibility and purpose. Employers who don’t evolve risk falling behind.

Whether it’s listening to our existing people or creating policies that embrace diverse needs, we need to remain agile. Flexibility, for example, isn’t just for parents and carers. It’s for everyone. We need to challenge outdated mindsets and foster a culture that treats people as individuals.

Building a culture of growth and learning

One of my priorities is to build an inclusive and motivating environment where people feel they can grow. At Oak, we're refreshing our people strategy and enhancing our employee value proposition with initiatives across learning and development, performance, reward, and recognition.

I believe strongly in “recruiting for attitude and training for skill.” No one walks into a role knowing everything, and the nature of work changes so quickly these days. What matters most is someone’s mindset, their ability to adapt, and their willingness to learn.

My advice to future talent

Whether you're a student or a seasoned professional looking for a new challenge, here’s my best advice:

1. Stay digitally sharp – Learn AI tools, data visualisation, and anything else that boosts your digital literacy.

2. Embrace transferable skills – Employers value broad capabilities. Be confident in the skills you bring.

3. Do your homework – Understand the company, its values, and where you might fit in.

4. Bring the right attitude – Skills can be taught, but positivity, adaptability, and enthusiasm are gold.

It’s an exciting time to be part of Oak—and a transformative time in the world of work. Whether you're a candidate or a colleague, I’m committed to making our journey together impactful, inclusive, and full of opportunities. Contact our People & Culture team below or view our current available opportunities.