Research demand and timing
Course overview · 10 min reading + 5 min practice, estimated
Signals start research
A new location, funding announcement, leadership move or cluster of job adverts can suggest a change in hiring demand. It does not prove the company wants agency support. Read the underlying source, check the date and connect the event to a relevant hiring question.
Build a useful company brief
Capture the company, confirmed event, source, relevant live roles, likely hiring challenge and next question. Identify an appropriate business contact through legitimate professional sources. Avoid treating job adverts as evidence of failure or urgency without a conversation.
Prioritise relevance
Rank companies by fit with your specialism, strength of evidence and whether you can offer useful insight. A small researched list is easier to act on responsibly than a large list with no reason for contacting anyone.
Put it into practice
Create a five-column research brief: company, verified signal, source and date, hiring hypothesis, question to validate. Use fictional examples for practice.
Use fictional information and keep your work in your own notes.
Sources and further reading
Original Academy teaching and fictional examples. These references provide context, not endorsement. Edition 2026.09; updated 2026-09-24.
- CIPD: Recruitment
Professional context for the recruitment lifecycle.
- GOV.UK: Set up a business
UK starting point. Business structure and obligations depend on the circumstances.