“Challenging”, “fast-paced”, “demanding” are just some of the descriptive words people used to describe a role in recruitment to me and I can definitely say they were right and it hasn’t disappointed!! I have been at Uxbridge Employment Agency for four weeks now and no one day is ever the same, if I’m not sourcing excellent candidates for the roles that we currently have I am referencing. If I am not referencing I am registering candidates to put forward for new roles and if am not busy doing that you can guarantee I will be making or answering phone calls. So, it’s fair to say it is fast-paced and can be challenging but no one can argue that it is exciting and I’m thrilled about working in recruitment!
Let’s back track a tad, my name is Sian Madigan and I have recently been employed at Uxbridge Employment Agency as Branch Resourcer in a trainee Internship. I have just finished my A-Levels in which I received two A*’s in Business Studies and a C in Media Studies and I am currently on a gap year before deciding whether to go on to University. So I guess you’re wondering how I got here?! Well to tell you the truth I have been interested in Recruitment for a year or so and decided that this would be the ideal job for me as the fast-paced environment and challenging aspects of it, truly offer job satisfaction coupled with the fact that it is a great career choice for anyone like myself who is just starting out in the ‘big wide world’ as it offers so many opportunities and career pathways.
If you have been following our recent blogs then you can see that it is a very exciting time to join Uxbridge Employment either as an employee, like myself, or a candidate or client, like you, and this blog is a great way for me to share my experiences. I hope this blog can provide an insight into ‘recruitment life’ from both sides of the interview table and help you with your recruitment process through tips and tricks along the way.
From one newbie to another...
Starting a new job can be very daunting to anyone at any stage of their career, whether it is your first ever job, or your tenth. I was extremely lucky when starting here as everyone was so welcoming that I felt a part of the team within a couple of days (thanks guys!). As much as it was the team that made me feel welcome it is always a two-way process because if I wasn’t receptive or welcoming back then it wouldn’t have gone so smoothly. So here are my top five tips and tricks to help your transition into your new job go as well as I did!
1. Be prepared
One of the most important things about starting a new job is being prepared and knowing your role. I know this may sound silly and you may think you know a lot about the role your going into, however it always best to be specific. When applying for a job you will be given a job specification and you should study this and know it like the back of your hand. If you are unsure about certain aspects of the role then research it or contact someone and get to grips with it. This will help you feel a lot more confident when you start and you won’t feel likefeel like such a newbie or drained from an overload of information.
2. Don’t be shy
Another important thing about starting a new job is to make sure you start building relationships as soon as you start – this will not only make your time at work more enjoyable but it also helps if you need advice with anything, or support when settling in. As mentioned with my own experience, it is a two way process, if I made it difficult or wasn’t as receptive towards everyone then I wouldn’t have settled in as well as I did.
Three mini tips within the tips and tricks
Smile – the friendlier you are, the quicker you settle in.
Make conversation – don’t hide behind your computer.
Remember names – especially the people next to you.
3. Listen
Before I started this job I had two interviews for the role and one of the very first things Liz told me was to make sure I listen to everything going on around me - four weeks on and I am still grateful for this advice! In our morning meetings I write everything down because as the day goes on so much can happen and you could forget things (not because of poor memory, it’s just throughout the day you can get easily distracted by other tasks). The more you listen, the more you take in and learn. It will also help to gain knowledge of the business and what’s going on, helping you get up and running more quickly and eventually helping you to become a successful asset to the company.
4. Ask questions
When people say there’s no such a thing as a silly question they do actually mean it! One of the things to remember is that everyone has been in your position and has had a first day, so they all know you will have lots of questions. There is however a way to be effective when asking questions rather than disturbing your colleague every two minutes, write down the questions you have and ask them when they aren’t too busy. The more you ask – the more you will get to know.
5. Don’t run before you can walk
I know you are super keen to get started – trust me, I feel the same. However, I had to remember that I had to pace myself and although it’s great to be thrown in at the deep end you still need to learn the processes inside out including all the “nitty gritty” as this will make it a lot easier when you start taking on more challenging tasks and more responsibility. Much like a bridge – if the foundation isn’t strong enough then it will be harder to build on top of it.
So, my tips and tricks all kind of roll in to one sentence: Take it all in, listen, learn, enjoy the experience and then grow!
Just a quick message to say thank you to the UEA team for making my first few weeks into recruitment as good as it has been so far! And also thank you to everyone that has read my blog and I hope it has helped in some sort of way. If you have any other suggestions or want advice on other issues then please email me at sian@uxbridge-employment.co.uk. Look forward to hearing from you!
Uxbridge Employment Agency Named Finalist in the Hillingdon Business Awards!!We are thrilled to announce that we have been named a finalist for the Business Service Company of the Year at the Hillingdon Business Awards 2025! This recognition means the world to us, as it celebrates our commitment to providing personalised recruitment services to our local community for over 45 years.Being a family-run agency, established back in 1978, we have always believed in the power of local expertise, personalised service, and long-term relationships. Our journey has been about more than matching people with jobs—it's been about contributing to the prosperity of businesses in Middlesex, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and the surrounding areas. We've always taken immense pride in building these relationships, and this nomination is a testament to all that hard work and dedication!A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Clients and CommunityThis achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support of our clients and the wider community. Many of you have been with us for years—some even decades—and it’s your trust and loyalty that allow us to do what we love. This recognition belongs to all of us. Thank you for being part of our story and for letting us be part of yours.As Charles Tuthill, Managing Director at Uxbridge Employment Agency, shared: "We are honoured to be recognised as a finalist in this year’s Hillingdon Business Awards. This recognition is a testament to our team’s dedication to honesty, integrity, and the personal touch we bring to every client and candidate relationship. We look forward to continuing to make a positive impact within our community and supporting local businesses in their growth."What This Means for UsBeing recognised as a finalist is not just a proud moment, but also a motivation to continue improving and serving our community. We have faced challenges, like many other small businesses, but our investment in new technologies and creative ...
We believe in the power of great connections. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce that our referral scheme has just doubled! Now, you can earn a £100 voucher for referring top talent to us. It’s our way of saying thank you for helping us find the best professionals in the area.How It WorksSpread the Word: Know a colleague or friend looking for a new opportunity? Refer them to us for any permanent role.Successful Placement: Once your referred candidate is placed and successfully completes their probationary period, you earn a £100 voucher!Easy Participation: Anyone can enter! Simply include links within our signatures, job adverts, and social media to share with your network.Why Participate?Increased Reward: With the referral bonus now at £100, there’s never been a better time to share great opportunities with your network.Support Your Friends and Colleagues: Help your connections find the perfect job while earning a reward for yourself.Contribute to Local Business Success: Your referrals help us attract and place the best talent, strengthening businesses in our community.Frequently Asked QuestionsWho can participate in the referral scheme? Anyone can participate! Whether you're a client, candidate, or simply someone who knows great talent, you can refer individuals to us.How do I make a referral? You can make a referral by sharing our job adverts, links in our email signatures, or social media posts. Make sure the candidate mentions your name when applying.When is the referral bonus payable? The £100 voucher is payable once the referred candidate successfully completes their probationary period.What type of roles are eligible? The referral scheme is applicable to permanent placements only.Join Us in Finding the Best TalentWe’re dedicated to connecting outstanding professionals with fantastic opportunities. With your help, we can continue to build a network of top talent in the area. So, start sharing, and let’s ...
In today's dynamic business environment, the value of recruitment partnerships is more crucial than ever. With digital platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and various job boards, it might appear that companies can easily find top talent on their own. However, recruitment agencies continue to be invaluable partners for companies in the UK, leveraging their skills and experience to fulfill business needs and drive future success. Let’s delve into why businesses benefit from these long-term relationships.Expertise and SpecialisationRecruitment agencies are experts in their field, bringing specialised knowledge about various industries, job functions, and hiring trends that may be beyond the scope of a typical in-house HR department. Many agencies focus on specific sectors, such as IT, finance, healthcare, or engineering, giving them a deep understanding of the particular needs and challenges within these fields. This specialisation allows them to effectively match candidates with the right skills and cultural fit for each role, ensuring a high-quality recruitment process.Access to a Larger Talent PoolOne of the most significant advantages of a recruitment partnership is access to a vast and diverse talent pool. Agencies maintain extensive databases of candidates, including those not actively seeking new roles but open to the right opportunities. These passive candidates, often overlooked by conventional hiring methods, can be valuable additions to any organisation. Recruitment agencies also have robust networks that can uncover hidden talent, increasing the likelihood of finding the ideal candidate who fits both the job requirements and the company culture.Time and Resource EfficiencyThe recruitment process can be incredibly time-consuming and resource-intensive. It involves creating job descriptions, posting vacancies, screening applications, conducting initial interviews, and managing communication with candidates. For small and medium-sized enterprises, and even large ...
IntroductionAs we bid farewell to 2023, it's the perfect time for us at Uxbridge Employment Agency to reflect on the incredible journey we've had over the past year and set our sights on the promising opportunities that await us in 2024. The year gone by has been filled with achievements, challenges, and, most importantly, the growth and success of both our candidates and clients.Celebrating SuccessOne of the highlights of the year has been witnessing the success stories of the talented individuals we've had the privilege of placing in fulfilling roles across various industries. From entry-level positions to executive roles, we've been dedicated to connecting the right people with the right opportunities. It's heartening to see the positive impact our placements have had on the professional lives of countless individuals.Adapting to Change2023 brought its share of challenges, and our team rose to the occasion, adapting to the evolving landscape of the job market. The global workforce saw significant transformations, with remote work becoming more prevalent and a heightened focus on skills development. Our commitment to staying abreast of these changes allowed us to provide valuable insights and support to both our clients and candidates.Embracing TechnologyIn our pursuit of excellence, we embraced cutting-edge technologies to streamline our processes and enhance the overall recruitment experience. Leveraging artificial intelligence and data analytics, we've been able to make more informed decisions, resulting in quicker and more accurate matches between candidates and employers.Looking Ahead to 2024As we look ahead to the new year, our enthusiasm is fuelled by the endless possibilities that lie before us. We're committed to exploring and implementing innovative recruitment strategies to stay ahead of industry trends and provide even more value to our clients and candidates. We're committed to exploring and implementing innovative recruitment strategies to stay ...
