People in a people business
People in a people business
This time last year I was in my last few weeks of sixth form, getting prepared for my final exams, deciding whether to take the university route and having no idea how things were going to pan out. I applied to University and got accepted with the intention of taking a gap year to find a placement which would build up my work experience and give me an insight into a potential career path.
Recruitment was always something I was interested in and luckily I was given the chance to interview for a Recruitment Internship position here at UEA! In my final stage interview I was asked to deliver a short presentation in front of the Branch Manager and Managing Director (possibly the most daunting thing I have ever done!) One of the topics I spoke about was what I hoped to achieve in my first year. This was a great idea because it would give me something I could work towards and it also showed Liz and Charles my potential! I would recommend any one to do this. (Obviously you have to be realistic – saying that you are going to make 50K in commission within a year is not something to write!)
A new starters’ expectation vs reality (3 month/6 month/1 year plan)
Now, nearly a year on with Uxbridge Employment Agency I look back at some of things I expected to happen and let’s see what the reality is:
Expectation: Settle in well with the team
Reality: 100% reached expectation. You end up spending more time with your colleagues then you do your own friends! I was very lucky as the team at UEA were very welcoming and made me feel part of the team very quickly!
Expectation: Establish my strengths
Reality: 70% - Some of the strengths that I feel I have established are: my organisation skills (Recruitment is so busy! So it’s not something you can be unorganised in!), I am a lot more confident with dealing with people, specifically more senior people – this was something that I was always nervous in! I believe my business acumen and creativity is also a strength that I have gained so far. But I have to remember that this is my first real step into a career. There is still a huge amount for me to learn. This job offers continued opportunities to learn and challenge new skills.
Expectation: Progressing more within the agency
Reality: 70% - One of the main duties of my role was to support all the different teams within the agency. Obviously when you start any job, especially within recruitment, there’s a lot of information to process and understand! It took me longer than expected to find my feet within the agency and get the lingo. However, I now feel like have become a key member of the team. I now work with Lauren, in the Windsor team and I have progressed from an intern to a Resourcer (Yay!!) I have placed some great candidates into new job roles and I’m now starting to manage some client relationships.
So, the verdict...
Has it measured up? I think so! For me personally, it was a great decision to take up an internship or placement before deciding to go to University. It has allowed me to gain experience and new skills which to me is crucial. I would recommend this to anyone, not only to gain experience but also the job market is so competitive something like this really helps employers see your potential!
What if it hasn’t measured up?
I was lucky to find something that I really enjoyed and something that I definitely want to stick to, however, not every job is going to go as well as what is expected. I have put together a few tips if you have started a new job and it’s not what you expected:
1. Have you given it enough time? Remember that there is always a lot to learn, and you have to give things a chance otherwise you could potentially hold yourself back from progressing any further.
2. Scope the company – Someone that hops from job to job isn’t always the first choice for recruiters, so if you really don’t like your role, look to see if another department interests you more. For example, before UEA I undertook work experience within a global insurance company and at first I supported the underwriters (this was definitely not my thing!) I then asked to be moved to Marketing and PR team (100% my thing!) I learnt so much more because I was more interested. So before you decided to leave, see if there’s something else on offer – if you’re good they won’t want to lose you!
3. Temporary Work – If you really have no more interest in the role you are doing and you want to leave then it may be a good idea to try temporary work – this way you build skills and experience as well as exposure to different industries and companies (a great way to network and to see if the company is right for you!)
4. Study/Travel – Starting a new career after leaving school or Uni, can be daunting and there’s a lot of pressure to decide exactly what you want to do. If you have set your mind on something but it turns out, it’s really not what you thought you could have a break to rethink your options. You can further your education or go travelling. Both these options will help broaden your mind to a whole new world of things; this could really help you find your passion and potentially a new career path.
What next?
For me, I have decided to hold out on University and carry on my employment with UEA. I have already learnt so much and know there’s lot more to learn and develop in, which is invaluable. In the near future I hope to potentially study into a professional qualification but for now, I am going to focus on my own progression within my role. Hopefully this time next year I can let you know how it works out for me!
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 ...
Recruitment agencies have a long-standing presence in the professional landscape and their significance in the job market remains more pertinent than ever, benefiting both candidates and clients alike! In this blog, we will delve into how collaborating with an agency can give you a distinctive edge in your career journey and recruitment efforts:Extensive Network and Connections: Recruitment agencies like ours boast extensive networks forged through years of industry immersion. These networks are exclusive to us, cultivated and nurtured over time. By partnering with an agency, candidates gain access to a broad spectrum of career opportunities and valuable professional contacts within their local area. Clients, on the other hand, gain access to a rich pool of pre-screened, top-notch talent, saving them time and effort in their search for the perfect fit.Time Efficiency: Time equals money, and when you engage with a professional recruiter, you tap into a wealth of experience dedicated to streamlining the entire job search process. From job listings to interviews, skill matching to personality fit assessments – a seasoned recruiter's expertise accelerates your job search as a candidate and your recruitment process as a client. While seeking new team members may not be your daily function as a client, it's our full-time commitment to understand what clients need and how to identify candidates who are the perfect fit for their teams!Specialised Expertise: Recruitment agencies often specialise in certain industries, roles or locations. This focus empowers job seekers with valuable insights into the job market. They gain knowledge about in-demand roles, the local market in general, required skills, and employer expectations. They can also advise clients on local market trends, candidate expectations, and industry-specific recruitment strategies.Negotiating Skills: Recruitment agencies provide invaluable assistance in salary and benefits negotiations, benefiting both ...
