Remote, Hybrid, or In-House? What Modern Digital Candidates Want and How UK Businesses Can Deliver

In today’s competitive job market, it’s clear that most modern digital candidates prefer flexible work arrangements, especially hybrid models, to jobs that are only remote or in-house. Businesses need to be flexible to attract and retain the best digital workers in the UK, including candidates sought by a SaaS Headhunters, Digital Marketing Recruiters, and other roles typically filled by a Specialized Recruitment Agency.

This change is a sign of greater shifts in how workers value things like work-life balance, productivity, career growth, and culture. These changes should all affect how UK employers plan their work models and hiring strategies. As they adapt, employers should think about the important questions we discuss below.

What Work Model Do UK Candidates Prefer?

UK jobseekers are signalling strong preferences when it comes to where they work:

Key takeaway: Hybrid work is consistently the most desired option across age groups and sectors—offering flexibility without sacrificing interpersonal connection or career development. 

Why do job seekers like hybrid work so much?

There are several strong reasons why candidates are interested in hybrid work:

1. Finding the Right Balance Between Flexibility and Professional Growth

While many employees enjoy working from home, they also appreciate the chance to collaborate, get advice, and be seen in the office. 

2. Wellbeing and Work-Life Balance

Hybrid work arrangements can help you feel better and reduce the stress of commuting while also avoiding some of the problems that come with working from home full-time, like feeling alone. 

3. Increased Productivity

Surveys indicate that employees often feel more productive when they work from home, but they still like the structure and social setting of office days. 

4. Career Growth and Mentorship

Particularly for younger professionals, office time is associated with networking opportunities and career advancement.

Are Fully Remote Jobs Still Desired?

Yes, but not as much as hybrid roles. Some candidates still want fully remote jobs because they want complete flexibility or can’t move to a new location.  But most job seekers in the UK no longer want to work completely from home. 

Many people now think it’s less ideal because they think it’s isolating, there aren’t as many opportunities for mentoring, and the team isn’t as strong as it is in hybrid setups.

What About Fully In-House Work?

In some fields, full-time in-office jobs are making a comeback, especially in places where working together and talking to clients are important. Yet, fully in-house roles generally receive less candidate preference compared with hybrid models. 

Even so, candidates still see the benefits of working in an office for structured learning and career growth. This means that employers should emphasize these benefits when advertising jobs within the company.

How Should UK Businesses Respond?

Your hiring strategy ought to shift as the needs of applicants change, whether you’re hiring a developer, a marketing expert, or a leader. 

Here’s how employers can do it:

1. Make your work policies clear and flexible

Candidates want to know everything, especially what “hybrid” really means (for example, how many days a week they will be expected to work in the office). Digital marketing recruiters and specialized recruitment agencies always say that unclear policies about flexibility can keep top talent from applying.

2. Customize Options Based on Roles

Not all jobs need the same amount of time spent in the office and at home. Divide roles into groups based on how much collaboration is needed and what the candidate expects:

• Creative and idea-generating jobs: More time in the office to work together.
• Roles that require focus, like analytics, have more freedom.
• Roles that involve clients: May need to know when they will be in person.

3. Tell Them What The Value Proposition

Make it clear how your workplace, whether it’s remote, hybrid, or in-house, helps people grow in their careers, stay healthy, and feel positive about themselves. More and more, candidates look at job offers based on more than just pay.

4. Work with professionals

If you work with a SaaS Recruitment Agency like Live Digital, you can customize your employer brand and hiring process to meet the needs of candidates in digital fields. Using information from agencies that know a lot about the market can help you make sure that your roles match what the market really needs.

Comparing Work Models: What Candidates Prioritise

Legend: ✔️✔️✔️ = high; ✔️✔️ = moderate;  ✔️ = low;  ❌ = limited

This comparison helps businesses and hiring managers see where different work models do well and what digital candidates value most.

Final Thoughts: Flexibility Is a Competitive Advantage

As of 2026, the job market in the UK has changed. For many digital job seekers, hybrid work is not just a preference; it’s the norm. Employers who can offer this, along with clear career growth opportunities and support, are more likely to attract top talent in digital fields, whether they use a SaaS Recruitment Agency, Digital Marketing Recruiters, or hire directly.

By balancing flexibility, culture, and structured collaboration, UK businesses can deliver work arrangements that align with modern candidate expectations and the future of work.

This article is a guest post written in collaboration with Live Digital, a specialist SaaS recruitment agency helping companies and professionals navigate the UK’s product management talent market.

About the Author

Carlo “Five” Castillo, V, is a Digital Marketing Specialist and SEO Expert with experience working with top companies like Canva, Veed, and Designcrowd. With a strong background in content writing and digital marketing, he helps businesses boost their online presence and drive engagement through tailored strategies. Carlo is passionate about delivering results and staying ahead of trends in the digital landscape.