The Rhino Report: September 2025

The September Surge is here. After the slower summer months, hiring is heating up again, and both employers and candidates are feeling the shift. Whether you are growing a team or planning your next career move, the trends shaping the UK job market this autumn will have an impact on you.

Contract-First Hiring Is Taking Over

Permanent roles are no longer the only focus. As businesses tighten budgets, more are turning to contractors and freelancers to fill gaps without long-term commitments. This “contract-first” approach is fast becoming a core workforce strategy, not a temporary solution.

Learn how to make the most of temporary roles and position yourself for longterm opportunities in our guide: Making the Most Out of Your Temp Job!.

For candidates, this means opportunities to work flexibly, build skills across industries, and keep career options open. For employers, it is a way to remain agile, but only if you offer what contractors expect: hybrid working as standard.

The Rise of the “Unretired” Workforce

It is not only young talent making moves. Nearly 2.8 million UK retirees have re-entered the workforce, with 37% saying that rising living costs are the main reason (Raconteur).

Multi-generational teams are becoming more common, and employers are seeing the benefits. Returning workers bring experience, reliability, and often mentor younger staff. For candidates, it is a reminder that career shifts are not limited by age, and many people are proving that it is never too late to start again.

Four Days, Full Pay – The Shorter Week Grows

Flexible work is here to stay. More than 2.7 million people in the UK now work a four-day week, up from 9.8% of the workforce in 2019 (The Guardian). With councils, corporates, and SMEs trialling or permanently adopting the model, the movement is gaining momentum.

For employers, the results are promising: faster service delivery, higher morale, and even cost savings. For candidates, it is proof that balance is becoming a core part of job offers, not an afterthought.

Hot Job Opportunities This Month

🏢 Head of Corporate – Cardiff – From £100,000 + Bonus

Rhino Recruitment is hiring a Head of Corporate to lead and grow a new legal department in Cardiff. This senior role offers full autonomy, strategic influence, and progression to board level.

👉 Click here for all the details.

💼 Contracts Manager – Rhoose – £50,000 to £55,000 per year

Rhino Recruitment is hiring a Contracts Manager to oversee social housing refurbishment and new build projects across South Wales. Ideal for candidates with contract management experience in construction.

👉 Click here for all the details.

⚖️ Criminal Duty Solicitor – Cardiff – £45,000 to £48,000 per year

Rhino Recruitment is hiring a Criminal Duty Solicitor to join a growing criminal department in Cardiff. This full-time role involves representing clients at Magistrates Court while managing your own caseload.

👉 Click here for all the details.

🏛️ Head of Commercial Property – Cardiff – From £100,000 + Bonus

Rhino Recruitment is hiring a Head of Commercial Property to lead a key department within a modernising law firm in Cardiff. This senior role combines leadership, client engagement, and business development, with hybrid working and progression to board level.

👉 Click here for all the details.

🦺 Graduate SHEQ Officer – Caerphilly – £25,500 to £35,000 per year

Rhino Recruitment is hiring a Graduate SHEQ Officer to join a safety-focused team in Caerphilly. This full-time role is ideal for graduates looking to start a career in safety, health, environment, and quality management.

👉 Click here for all the details.

Candidates Want Straight Talk

Jobseekers are increasingly unwilling to settle for unclear recruitment. Two in three Brits will not apply for a role if there is no salary listed (Allwork.Space). Add to that the frustration of being “ghosted”, with 66% of applicants saying the biggest challenge is never hearing back from employers (Investigo), and the message is clear: transparency and communication matter.

For candidates, this shift works in your favour. Employers who fail to communicate risk losing great talent. For employers, it is a warning to respect candidates’ time, keep processes clear, and build trust through better communication.

Policy Changes You Need to Know

The upcoming Employment Rights Bill is set to give workers the right to request flexible working from day one, along with a “right to request guaranteed hours” for those on zero-hours contracts (ICAEW). Employers will need to provide written justification for refusals, creating a cultural shift in the workplace.

This comes alongside other new entitlements, such as neonatal care leave and extended redundancy protection for new parents. For businesses, it means reviewing policies now. For candidates, it marks another step toward a fairer, more balanced working environment.

This Month's Insider Insight and Expert Advice

Soft Skills for Professional Job Seekers

Discover why soft skills like communication, adaptability, and problem-solving are vital for career success, and how developing them can boost your employability, progression, and long-term growth.

Click here for more.

The Benefits of a Recruitment Agency

Discover how recruitment agencies help employers access wider talent pools, streamline hiring, and bring in quality candidates faster through expertise, networks, and market knowledge.

Click here for more.

4 CV Mistakes That Could Cost You the Job

Discover the most common CV errors that harm applications, from slang and typos to weak references and generic submissions, and learn how to avoid them to boost your chances of landing interviews.

Click here for more.

Three Tips for Finding a Job You'll Love

Discover how self-awareness, cultural fit, and visibility can transform your job search, helping you find a role that truly matches your values, strengths, and long-term goals.

Click here for more.

Final Thoughts

September is always a turning point. Hiring activity typically increases, and this year we are already seeing businesses re-focus on growth as 2026 planning begins.

For employers, success will come from being flexible, transparent, and respectful of candidate expectations. For job seekers, this is the ideal time to stay proactive, refine your CV, and capitalise on the renewed energy in the market.

Rhino Recruitment – The only reliable all-in-one staffing provider.