#HarteUpdates
News & Updates

September always brings a whirlwind of activity in the PBSA (Purpose-Built Student Accommodation) and BTR (Build to Rent) sectors. With thousands of students across the country finalising their housing choices, the demand for high-quality, well-managed accommodation is at an all-time high. For professionals working behind the scenes, this period can feel busy at best, and stressful at worst. Along with balancing the logistics of move-ins, you'll be ensuring buildings are ready, managing expectations, and supporting residents who are often leaving home for the first time. It’s no small task, and we know just how much dedication, teamwork, and resilience goes into making this transition smooth for everyone involved. Whatever your role in the PBSA and BTR sectors, your hard work matters and makes a huge difference to people who are relocating. You don't just provide a place to live, you help to create a welcoming environment where students and renters feel at home from day one. So, as the busy season ramps up, here’s to all of you working tirelessly to deliver excellence under pressure. We hope the next few weeks run smoothly, that your planning pays off, and that you also find a moment to breathe! Here’s to a successful September and a strong start to the academic year. 🤩

Thinking about adding a photo to your CV? We've worked in property recruitment for a long time, and here’s a little secret... Unless you’re an actor or model, it’s really not necessary anymore. In fact, CV photos are slowly becoming a thing of the past. Employers don’t need a picture to understand your skills, and interviews give them the chance to meet the real you anyway. The truth is, including a photo can sometimes do more harm than good. Even unintentionally, it can introduce bias into the hiring process, and that’s the last thing you want when you’ve worked hard to put together a strong application. So, what should you focus on instead? What really matter in property recruitment are your skills, achievements, and online presence. Think of your CV as a highlight reel of what you can bring to the table. Pair that with a polished LinkedIn profile, and you’re already miles ahead. It’s also a good idea to take a quick look at your other social media platforms. A little spring clean never hurts, especially if you want your online footprint to reflect the professional you are today If all of this feels a bit overwhelming, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to do it all yourself. We help jobseekers showcase their strengths in the best possible way to support their recruitment in the property sector. Remember: it’s your experience, personality, and passion that will land you the role. Not a photo. 🙌

💡 Almost half of UK job seekers are now using AI to apply for jobs. (46% to be exact – and yes, we checked. 📊) If you’re one of them… hats off to you. 🙌 We use AI too, because it’s brilliant for helping property recruiters research, structure ideas, and generally speed things up. But here’s the catch: if you let AI do all the talking, you risk sounding like every other applicant. And that’s not how you land interviews or make the right impact. So, if you’re planning on using AI in your next job application, here’s how to make it work in your favour: ✂️ Cut the fluff – vague claims, clichés, and U.S. spelling don’t impress UK hiring managers. Be specific and to the point. 🗣️ Keep your voice – AI can flatten personality. Your authentic tone and personality is what gets you remembered. ✏️ Proofread – AI still makes mistakes. Even small errors can hurt your credibility. 📊 Add real numbers – AI doesn’t know your metrics and your achievements. You do. 🚫 Don’t copy-paste – AI should inspire you, not replace you. Anyone can paste words into a document, but your strengths are unique. Think of AI as your career co-pilot , not your autopilot. The best applications are the ones that blend smart tech with your experience and voice. Use AI wisely, and you’ll stand out for the right reasons. Stats from: standout-cv.com

Have you ever heard of a ‘Do Not Hire’ list? It’s exactly what it sounds like, and trust us, it’s a list you really don’t want to be associated with. Here’s how to make sure your name isn’t remembered for the wrong reasons in the world of property recruitment: ✅ Be professional – Treat everyone with respect during the hiring process. Show courtesy to everyone you interact with because you never know when you will meet these people again! First impressions matter, and so do lasting ones. ✅ Be honest – Don’t lie in your application or ‘bend the truth.’ Be up front (and proud) of your skills and experience. Integrity goes a long way and your skills are what make you unique. ✅ Prep like a pro – Research the company, look at their social media accounts, review the job description, and practice answering common interview questions. If you’re attending a face-to-face interview, make sure you know where you’re going and looked at travel options. ✅ Double check your CV – Look carefully for errors, gaps, or inconsistencies You don’t want inaccuracies on your application, so make sure your details add up to avoid any awkwardness. ✅ Talk to us – We specialise in property recruitment and know the industry inside out. Just ask if you have any questions about finding your next role.

If you work in the construction industry, you’ll probably be aware that Skilled Worker overhaul. 180 roles are being made ineligible for the Skilled Workers visa, (which allows eligible foreign applicants to come to the UK to work for an approved sponsor) meaning big changes are on the cards for the businesses who employ them. The construction industry (along with hospitality) is set to take the biggest hit from the shift in rules, with the roles below amongst those to be removed from the visa: roofers, roof tilers and slaters carpenters bricklayers sheet metal workers electricians If you employ anyone under the visa’s criteria, there’s a chance you’ll also need to make some changes to your payroll. To keep their legal working status, employees who have come to the UK will need a salary of at least £31,300, so some pay rises might be on the cards to keep your team on board.

Think summer is a slow season for hiring in property recruitment? Think again. While it’s easy to assume the warm weather and holiday vibes mean growing your team grinds to a halt, the truth is summer can actually be a strategic time to grow your team. Here’s why you should consider ramping up your property recruitment efforts during the summer months: ✅ Fresh Graduate Talent Summer marks the entry of new graduates into the job market who are enthusiastic, motivated, and eager to start their careers. It’s the perfect time to tap into fresh perspectives and new talent. ✅ Time to Refine Your Processes With fewer project deadlines and quieter calendars, hiring managers have more bandwidth to review applications thoroughly and make thoughtful, long-term decisions. ✅ Stay Ahead of the Competition Many businesses delay hiring until after the holidays. If you're a property recruiter, hiring during the summer gives you a head start and an opportunity to secure top talent before other offers start rolling in. ✅ Faster Hiring Process Candidates often have more availability in the summer, meaning you can schedule interviews quickly and move faster through the recruitment process. ✅ Smoother Onboarding Bringing someone on board during a quieter period means more time to train, integrate, and prepare them for the busy autumn season. In short, summer isn't a hiring dead zone. It’s a golden opportunity. With a smart approach, you can find the right people, streamline your process, and set your team up for long-term success. ☀️ Want to get cracking? 📞 07540770679 ✉️ suzie@harte-consulting.co.uk

⚡ Time for a quick re-introduction! ⚡ We’re a specialist recruitment team based up North in lovely Huddersfield, perfectly placed between Manchester and Leeds. Our focus? Property and construction recruitment . It’s what we do, and we do it well. What makes us different? We keep things real. If it’s not the right fit, we’d rather walk away without a fee than push a placement that won’t work. Your success is our priority, not just ticking boxes. 🔍 Job hunting? We’ll help you find a role where you’ll thrive. Somewhere you’ll be happy, motivated, and doing your best work. 📈 Hiring? We take the pressure off your plate. We’ll find someone who not only ticks the skills box but also fits your culture and helps your business grow. When you work with us, you’ll be in the hands of Suzie, Charlotte, and Madeleine , who have a knack for matching people and personalities. It doesn’t matter if you’re a job seeker chasing your next opportunity, or a business needing the perfect addition to your team. If you haven’t worked with us yet, we can help you.

💼 Enjoy extra work: If you love a mountain of extra work on your desk, we’re probably not the right fit for you. From sifting through countless CVs to screening and shortlisting only the best candidates, we handle the heavy lifting. So, if you’d rather stay buried in admin, look elsewhere for help with property recruitment. ⏳ Like a slow, painful hiring process. Maybe you enjoy a drawn-out hiring process that drags on for months? That’s not our style. We move fast, advertising roles, tapping into hidden talent pools, and connecting you with exceptional candidates long before they hit the open market. If you prefer delays and dead ends, we’re not your people. 🔍 Don’t want industry insight. We bring deep industry insight and experience to the table. Property and construction recruitment are what we live and breathe. If you’d rather gamble on guesswork than benefit from targeted market knowledge, you might want to keep your distance. 🧠 Think a CV tells the whole story. If you believe a CV tells you everything you need to know about a candidate, we’re definitely not for you. We dig deeper with our Personna Profiling (when appropriate) to ensure the people we put forward are a genuine cultural fit for your team. If that feels too thorough for next property recruit, we suggest going it alone.

Why choose Harte? Because we don’t just recruit. We fit the right people with the right roles. We’re not just any property recruiter. We’re your trusted partner in property recruitment. We know this industry inside out and understand how vital it is to find the right people to grow your business and protect your professional reputation. Our job isn’t just to fill roles. It’s to connect you with top talent before they hit the market. With our trusted, multi-step process, we focus on quality, not just speed. We take the time to really understand your company, your culture, and what makes someone the perfect fit. In property recruitment, every hire matters. When you choose Harte, you get more than a property recruiter. You gain a team that gives honest feedback, clear communication, and lasting support. We want you to feel that recruitment is a partnership, not just a transaction. You can be assured that we work hard to protect your brand, represent you well, and build relationships that last far beyond one placement. Each of your hires is an investment in your future, which is why we treat it like our own. 🤎 Ready to hire the right person? Let’s do property recruitment the right way and drive your business forward. 👉 Visit www.harte-consulting.co.uk to find out how we can help you build a stronger team today.

World Wellbeing Week kicked off yesterday, so if you’re wondering how you can support the mental and physical health of your team members, your timing couldn’t be better. 🙌 Now’s the perfect opportunity to reflect on how you’re showing up for your team, both mentally and physically. 💬 Listen to your team Good leadership starts with great listening. Take the time to understand what your team members are facing both in and out of work. Real conversations build trust and stronger environments. 💪 Prioritise physical health A safe, healthy workspace isn’t optional. It’s essential to keep your team thriving. Start by assessing your employees’ work stations and ensure the right procedures are in place to protect their long-term wellbeing. 🧠 Support mental health Mental illness accounts for half of all workplace health issues in the UK. Encourage openness, remove stigma, and offer real support systems. Let your team know you’re there to help and are open to having honest conversation about their wellbeing. 🎁 Offer more than a wage slip It’s time to think beyond salaries. Holistic benefits like counselling, fitness perks (such as gym memberships), or a cycle-to-work scheme make a real difference to morale and retention. This World Wellbeing Week, make a conscious decision to move from intention to action. Your team is your biggest asset. Invest in their wellbeing, and you invest in everyone’s success. 💙 📊 Stats via healthhero.com