This month, Harbour City Recruitment turns four.

And while I’ve always known running a business would come with its fair share of highs and lows—this past year has truly tested me in ways I didn’t expect.

2024 was our most challenging year to date.

But through all the uncertainty, one thing remained clear: connection is everything.

The Market: Cautious, Competitive, and Constantly Shifting

• We felt the weight of a more conservative market, with clients becoming more selective, roles moving slower, tighter budgets, and the hiring process stretching out longer than ever before.

Despite this, our placement numbers stayed consistent—proof that relationships and reputation count when the market tightens.

• Average time-to-fill increased by 15% compared to the previous year.
• Referral business accounted for over 70% of our new clients.
• Repeat clients made up 60% of our placements—a testament to the trust we’ve built.

The Candidates: Resilient, Ready, and Remarkable

I’ve had the privilege of working with some incredible candidates this year—from seasoned EAs and HR support staff to switched-on office all-rounders making career shifts.

Many were navigating redundancy, visa uncertainty, or tough job markets in their industries. But their positivity, professionalism, and adaptability blew me away.

We placed candidates across a variety of sectors this year, including:

• Healthcare
• Education
• Property
• Legal
• Investment Banking
• Media
• NFP/Community Services

And we continued to champion flexible working:

• Over 40% of our roles offered hybrid or remote working.

The Clients: Loyal, Honest, and Long-Term

I’m endlessly grateful to our clients—especially the ones who have stuck with us through the ups and downs. You trusted us to find the right fit—not just a warm body. You referred us to others. And you valued the relationships we’ve worked so hard to build.

The Lessons: Growth Isn’t Always Linear

Some months felt slow. Some candidates fell through. Some roles disappeared mid-process. But I learned more this year than in the three before it combined:

• How to manage the quiet months (and the anxiety they bring).
• How to hold my value in a market that wanted to negotiate everything.
• How to show up, even when I wanted to hide.

The Wins Worth Celebrating

• We’ve now placed over 200 candidates since launching in 2021
• Our LinkedIn community has grown steadily, with increased engagement on every post.
• We’ve built a reputation for honest, personal recruitment—and I’m proud of that.

What’s Next?

We’re leaning into what we do best:

• Real relationships, honest advice, and a personalised approach that puts people first.
• More temps, more flexibility, more incredible candidates.
• And more businesses who want to hire with heart.

To everyone who’s been part of the HCR journey so far—thank you.

Here’s to four years of connection, growth, and grit.
And here’s to what comes next 💫

Carly x