From high demand to high precision

When hiring slows, every recruitment decision carries more weight. With larger candidate pools competing for fewer roles, employers can no longer afford to rely on assumptions, CVs or gut feel.

That’s why many forward-thinking organisations are turning to skills-based recruitment – a new approach that focuses on what candidates can do, not just where they’ve worked.

The newly relaunched iQ will include a suite of skills-based assessment tools that enable recruiters to see genuine ability in action. Whether that’s a coding test for a software developer or a customer service scenario, iQ helps hiring teams identify proven skill and potential – quickly and fairly.

Why precision matters now

Periods of higher unemployment create both challenges and opportunities.

There may be more candidates on the market, but more applications don’t make hiring easier – they make it harder. Sorting hundreds of CVs for one role can slow down decision-making, frustrate hiring managers and risk missing the right person.

iQ brings science, structure and simplicity to the art of selection. Its integrated assessments, intelligent automation, and candidate comparison tools make it possible to see who’s ready to succeed – and who simply looks good on paper.

At the same time, iQ helps employers protect and strengthen their candidate experience. Because how organisations treat candidates in difficult times is remembered long after the market recovers.

Building resilience through technology

We’re also seeing many organisations shifting focus from short-term hiring to long-term improvement. When recruitment slows, budgets often move from advertising to infrastructure – investing in careers sites, technology platforms and employer brand.

That’s where iQ adds strategic value. Its CMS-powered front end and seamless candidate journey help employers future-proof their recruitment ecosystem, while its data and insight tools provide clarity for the next hiring upturn.

Clarity in a time of change

Periods of high unemployment often expose inefficiency – but they also reward innovation.

For HR and Talent Acquisition leaders, the opportunity lies in making recruitment more efficient, fair and evidence-led.

That’s exactly what iQ delivers:

• Proof over paper. Skills-based assessments that reveal true capability.
• Clarity over chaos. Data and behavioural insight that guide better decisions.
• Humanity over hype. Candidate experiences built with fairness and transparency at their core.

When the market feels uncertain, iQ provides certainty – giving organisations the tools to hire with confidence, whatever the economy brings next.