What are you really waiting for?
21-Nov-14
Following on from our “Who's behind the wheel” blog last week, which focused on the realities of being in a 'candidate driven market', this week the focus is on taking action! Many people assume the market is really slow at this time of year and they need to wait until January to really make that 'fresh start'. But is that TRUE?? Let me tell you the market is buzzing and we are busier than ever! Yes really!! For both temporary and permanent roles, the time really is now. Contrary to popular belief, most organisations are still actively recruiting permanent staff to start before Christmas or for the 1st January. And Temps are just as busy with non-stop bookings coming in for Reception, Admin and Finance roles - our clients are looking for staff and they need you! You may be asking yourself 'have I missed something?' No! This is a common misconception and to be fair historically, the start of the year is when people start looking but employers can take a while to get back into the swing of things meaning that things don’t really kick off until mid-late January. Saying that, the market is almost impossible to predict! The reasons for this have been documented as ranging from inflation rates to the weather! But whatever the reason it is great news for employers and job seekers alike. Of course, we wouldn't expect you to just take our word for it, take a look at this fantastic article from the Recruitment Buzz site. With information from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (the official guys), the article provides accurate information on the present UK labour market. In a nutshell...it shows recruiters are reporting continued growth in permanent placements, higher vacancy numbers, but a shortage of good candidates (yes that's you). If that's not official enough, the really official people at the BBC also felt the need to scribe about Unemployment rates and pay growth in the private sector (note to boss..cough cough)! So whether you are currently looking for ...
Who’s behind the wheel?!
05-Nov-14
The candidate it seems! And I should be the first to notice the change in the employment market over the last year, having endured one of the worst recessions to date. For I am one of those ‘crazy’ consultants that started their career in the midst of the recession in 2009, when jobs were thin on the ground and we were witness to companies downsizing or shutting up shop right before our eyes. Mass redundancies and instead of the usual introduction call of ‘have you got a job for us?’ the tone changed to something like ‘please pass on my contact details to the people you are making redundant’. Not that we had many jobs to offer them. Oh how the times have changed, and rightly so after so many years of high unemployment. Fast forward to November 2014 and we have more jobs than we have people! Well, not quite that extreme, but there is a definite shortage of talent/people in the market at the moment, most likely a result of increasing employment and improving economic conditions, driving business confidence and resulting in some ‘loosening of the recruitment budget belts’. So what does this mean to the recruiter/employer? Here are our key observations:- Candidates are moving fast: Savvy recruiters and employers are moving fast to secure their talent, and they are taking no prisoners. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard the saying ‘you snooze you lose’ recently! I debated with a head-hunter on this matter, as he was in the rare position of arguing that he has no-one else working with his candidates. They could spend 3 months deciding they want to work for a particular company, therefore unlikely to just change their mind on a whim. Whilst this is true and relative, for all of us employers that recruit within the entry to mid management level roles, we don’t necessarily have this luxury. More negotiation on salaries: Slight increases in salaries to secure talent. Companies are vying for that same small talent ...
Sometimes you have to just give it away
27-Oct-14
Some of the UEA team recently attended a graduate fair at our local; Brunel University, ‘Day out on a jolly’...or so we thought!! It was a hard days graft let me tell you and even I was sick of the sound of my own voice by the end of it! The idea was to identify exciting graduates as well as of course a little bit of self promotion (it would have been rude not to)! Seeing such a wealth of companies fighting for the attention of freshly graduated, bright eyed students, whether through big banners, TV screens or sweetie giveaways (yes we were one of them) just reiterated how valuable it is to be a graduate in this day and age. Whilst I do not promote the notion that a first class degree is the only route to a successful career, it’s certainly likely to help. On the other side of the coin, is it enough on its own? Talking to countless students, from first years through to postgraduates, I couldn’t help but wonder if they were being misled. I advised every individual I spoke to, that getting work experience was priceless...be this paid, unpaid, a result of begging...they should do whatever they could do to gain industry experience...and if this meant a few hours of their time once a week for absolutely no monetary reward than they should do it! I was shocked by how many of them looked at me as if I had suddenly begun speaking in a foreign language! Surely I couldn’t have been the first person to explain the importance of work experience before graduating?! Industry experience provides invaluable insight into the actual job you will be doing on a day to day basis, as well as opportunities to network with potential employers or even future clients. It also provides transferable skills that show you are able to achieve successful working relationships, whilst displaying your commitment and work ethic to potential employers. As a case study example we interviewed our very own Shannen Martin, who after coming to us in search of temporary work before returning to her ...
“We are here and we’re not afraid to blog!”
14-Oct-14
Well the team at UEA have had an exciting few months to say the least! The launch of our new website, Facebook and Twitter pages, new members joining the team, old staff moving on to pastures new and thankfully... lot’s and lot’s of exciting new jobs to fill!! Who are we? So, this is officially the first blog for Uxbridge Employment Agency, yes believe it or not we are ‘dipping our toes’ into the realms of blogging; as we want to connect and communicate with people who have an interest in the Employment Market in the local area….and beyond! Working together, we (Harj & Lauren) will bring you the latest industry news, tips and tricks of the trade and anything else that you want us to discuss/research/write about! Being our first blog, we thought our readers would like to know a little about us. Lauren Tuthill is a Senior consultant who has been part of the UEA team for 6 years now, whilst Harj Grewal joined the team earlier this year after leaving an insightful career within the Prison Service. Together, we are able to bring a unique and rounded perspective to the world of recruitment, combining an ‘old school’ approach with a fresh perspective from somebody ‘new to the game’! What’s next? The team are proud to say they are busier than ever at a time when employers are increasingly using agencies to help them recruit outstanding talent. According to a recent report from the Recruitment & Employment Confederation, this is currently as high as eight out of ten employers for strategically skilled short- term workers! Look out for our next blog which will look more deeply into the current job market…with less about us and more about you!...
As summer approaches and many businesses navigate ongoing uncertainty, the demand for temporary workers continues to rise - and it’s not hard to see why. From SMEs to larger organisations, teams across the UK are turning to temps to help manage workload peaks, cover absences, and provide short-term flexibility at a time when permanent hiring is often stalled.We’ve seen this trend play out first-hand as local businesses come to us for fast, reliable temporary support — not just for holiday cover, but as a strategic response to wider hiring challenges.So, what’s driving the surge in temp demand?1. Hiring Freezes & Budget ConstraintsMany companies are still facing internal sign-off delays, spending reviews, or formal hiring freezes — particularly in mid-sized and larger organisations. Even when there’s a business case for extra resource, getting permanent headcount approved can be slow or blocked altogether.Temps provide a way around that. They allow businesses to bring in much-needed help without committing to a long-term hire or navigating layers of red tape.2. Workloads Aren’t Slowing DownDespite caution on the hiring front, the work keeps coming. From customer demand and internal projects to compliance deadlines and seasonal peaks, businesses still need to deliver — and often with fewer people than they’d like.Temporary workers are a practical, scalable way to plug those gaps quickly and keep teams moving.3. The Summer SqueezeWith school holidays just around the corner, many teams are about to feel the impact of reduced headcount even more. Summer absence cover — particularly in office-based roles — is often underestimated, but when multiple people are away at once, the effect on service levels, morale, and output can be significant.Booking holiday cover early ensures the best availability — especially for specialist or part-time needs.4. Temp-to-Perm is Becoming the New NormalA growing number of companies are using temporary contracts as a low-risk way to ...
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? If the referred candidate is placed permanently with a client of ours, then the £100 voucher is payable once the referred candidate successfully completes their probationary period. If your referral to us is placed within a a temporary role, then they need to work in booking for a minimum of 4 weeks if working over 20 hours per week, eight weeks it working under 20 hours per week. What type of roles are ...
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 ...
