CV writing that works
12-Jan-23
Writing a CV that works can be a daunting process when staring at a blank page but by following a few tried-and-tested rules and spending a little time on it can reap great rewards. Whilst there is never such thing as a “one-CV-fits-all” one key point to remember is your CV’s goal is to attract the attention of the people advertising the opportunities you seek. If you receive a lot of call backs from employers and recruiters then congrats – your CV works! If on the other hand you think yours could do better please have a read of our top 10 CV Writing Tips which will sharpen up the focus of your CV and tell the world all about you and secure that all important interview! Tip No 1. Its key to watch “Keywords” Congratulations – you are reading this on our website which demonstrates your acceptance that recruitment happens online! This will (hopefully) seem an obvious statement, however it should serve as a reminder that when your CV is placed online, it will be handled in a very different way to a human recruiter. Luckily, we are not in a place as yet where online algorithms have the intelligence to sort accurately by relevance, so they scan for “keywords” that match the advert then rank accordingly: i.e. if someone is recruiting for an Accounts Clerk with “Sage Line 50”, “Excel” and “Word” it is important to ensure these terms are replicated on your CV (obviously, only if you have these skills 😊). Ensuring these key words are duplicated on your CV will ensure you rank higher in the recruiters results! A great tip here is to search for jobs that are suitable for you and highlight the key words that reappear in adverts specifically related to the roles you are applying for. If you have these skills, make sure they are incorporated into your CV!!! Tip No 2. It’s no novel – make it punchy It’s an unfortunate fact that on average employers spend as little as 8 seconds reviewing a CV. For this reason yours should be no more than two pages of A4 – and that’s ...
Are you redundancy ready?
09-Dec-22
Are you nervous about being made redundant? If so, you are not alone. Once again, we are staring down the barrel of an economic downturn, which inevitably leads to uncertainty, insecurity from fear of losing your job. It isn’t official yet as a recession is not declared until we have had 2 consecutive quarters of falling GDP. However, the last quarter our GDP dropped, and the Bank of England is expecting this to drop again in our current quarter, which runs up until the end of December. Companies are gearing up for some challenging times ahead. But what about the employees? have you started preparing? What can you do as an individual to protect yourself? There are a lot of factors that will be completely out of your control when facing redundancy. There are also many factors that you can regain control, most importantly you can increase your knowledge, awareness and start connecting with the right organisations and people that can help you if you are faced with being made redundant. We have compiled a list and link to some key bodies that can advise, support and assist and we have tried to include as many free options as possible. ACAS This body gives employees free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules and best practice. You can find full details on their website: Acas | Making working life better for everyone in Britain You can call their helpline too on 0300 123 1100 Citizens Advice Bureau This body offers a range of free advice for employees, including but not limited to; Redundancy, Negotiating with your employer, Getting a reference. You can read full details on their website: Citizens Advice You can call their Adviceline on 0800 144 8848 Below is a particularly useful link to an area that explains how a fair redundancy process will run. This provides a full run through of what a redundancy process should look like and therefore prepare you for the right conversations and questions at the right time: ...
Right to Work Changes from Oct22
11-Oct-22
From October 2022 changes are happening to the UK Right to Work checks so we have prepared a quick quide with some useful info/links. The guide was originally prepared for clients, but for any candidates it should still offer a simplified overview on the process so we hope it proves useful and serves as a guide. Previously allowed checks until Sept 2022 Back in March 2020, temporary adjusted right to work (RTW) measures were introduced to help companies on-board new team members using scanned documents (rather than originals). Employers were then allowed to confirm the identity of the individual, along with these scanned documents, via video call. These measures were in place to help those working remotely, however as of 1st October 2022 businesses will no longer be able to use this adjusted checking process. As businesses accept, ensuring compliance with RTW procedure is essential to prevent illegal working and penalties. So, to protect your business you need to ensure you are following the correct procedure and ensure this is done so before any form of employment commences. What changes are being made? From 1st October 2022 there will be three main ways to check RTW; A manual right to work check - a physical check of the applicant’s original documents (the old way). Use an online (IDSP) provider to check on a digital platform - UK/Irish (in date passports only). View a job applicant’s right to work using their share code and date of birth. Conducting any of these checks following the Home Office guidance found on the gov.uk website will ensure you are following the correct process and successfully completing your Right to Work check. If your applicant’s immigration status requires verification by the Home Office, for example they are awaiting an administrative review/appeal or they have an outstanding application, then you can also use the Employer Checking Service. In this scenario use this link to contact the Home Office, however please remember you will ...
Back to basic's - just online!
04-May-21
With precautionary measures such as social distancing, the traditional interview process has been reimagined so we have put together our top 10 tips on how to succeed in your job search. It’s very likely for instance that your next interview will be online, so whether you have years of experience under your belt (or you are brand new to the market), with some best practice and preparation you can ensure you will shine as you would have face-to-face! Firstly, update your CV Sounds obvious right? But you would be surprised how many do not review their CV to make sure it’s up-to-date. If you have finished a role for whatever reason then put this on your CV - sometimes it can work to your advantage as it could demonstrate you are available to start a new job immediately. Also, check your spelling and grammar carefully. It is always worthwhile having a family member, friend or recruitment consultant go over it to make sure it all makes sense and reads well. Make your CV online accessible It’s never been more important to ensure your CV is accessible on all popular CV databases, including but not limited to: Reed.co.uk, CV-library, Monster and Indeed. After all, how are people going to find you if you are not marketing yourself! Also, ensure your profile is up-to-date on LinkedIn and if you do not have a profile, then set one up - it is a very popular network tool for recruitment! Ensure you register with some reputable recruitment agencies These agencies have jobs on for a reason...they tend to be good agents! They will market your skills for you and be the first to know about great opportunities that may not reach job sites online. Google locally and find some with good reviews, then move onto their website to see what they are advertising. Vacancies are moving quickly at the moment so don’t despair if they don’t have your perfect role. If they are marketing similar opportunities, then it is very likely they work with businesses who will be seeking your type of ...
Communicating effectively, remotely!
30-Apr-20
The pandemic is now defining the way we communicate, not only on a day-to-day basis but also in the way we communicate within the work place. Remote working is now the norm (previously most companies only used to offer this as a means of flexible working). It also requires a different mind-set as it needs greater discipline to avoid the pitfalls of team members feeling isolated. Now we are using applications such as zoom to run our day-to-day working lives, how do we get the best out of this new form of communication in order that we achieve the best results we can. A lot of this happened for companies without any form of transition - the good news id it’s new for a lot of us! Here are a few ideas we have been using on how to effectively communicate with our remote working team; A great many of us (including UEA) are used to working together as a tight knit team in an office environment - we are now separated, so first of all its essential that everyone has a sense of belonging - we are not together physically but we remain connected! Set your team up for success - give everyone clear and measurable goals so individuals know what they are striving to achieve. Make these goals clear and without ambiguity. These can then be evaluated and discussed in regular update and feedback meetings. Remember to praise good news stories! Communicate often - morning, and if possible afternoon and/or close of business. Everyone can feedback on achievements, areas of difficulty and then the whole team is able to support, give praise, empathy as well as advise on areas of concern. Managers need to be available to lead and motivate at all times - now more than ever! Check in with your team often - they will appreciate it. If you have large teams - can any individuals who are struggling have a “remote buddy”- someone they can call and voice concerns or bounce ideas on? Frequent individual check-ins also gives an opportunity to speak up – someone may not have decided to raise a problem ...
At Uxbridge Employment Agency, our tagline has always been “people in a people business”, as we’ve always believed recruitment doesn’t need to be complicated — it just needs to be human.Recently, one of our longstanding clients sent us a testimonial that reminded us why we do what we do. Their words were generous, but more importantly, they captured the essence of what makes recruitment partnerships thrive.Here’s what stood out and why it matters a great deal to us, as their words encapsulated the service we aim to offer; Simplicity Over Complexity“The thing with you guys, it’s like calling a mate to ask for help. There are no complicated processes, no one-hour calls to qualify the role, and I’m not passed to someone miles away I’ve never spoken to.”This really resonated with us because we’ve seen how recruitment can become over-engineered. Many agencies put clients through hoops before any progress is made — long qualification calls, multiple handovers, and unnecessary steps that take time but don’t add value.For us, the process has always been simple: pick up the phone, have an open conversation, and let us get to work. Our clients trust us because not only have we had over 45 years local experience, but we take the time to visit them and understand their business. This means they don’t need to re-explain everything every time and that simplicity saves time, removes friction, and lets us focus on what matters most — finding the right people! Approachability Matters“Guaranteed to take the call in a friendly manner… Nothing is too much trouble, even if it’s just a question about the market in Uxbridge.”Recruitment isn’t just about jobs — it’s about relationships. Sometimes our clients call with an urgent vacancy, but often they just want advice: a sense check on salaries, insight into the candidate market, or a second opinion on their plans.We take pride in being approachable. There’s no “meter running” when you pick up the phone to us. Our role is to be a trusted ...
It’s no secret that August is one of the quietest months in the business calendar. Offices thin out, HR decision-makers head off on holiday, and inboxes are set to “out of office.” But while the world slows down, the savviest hiring managers see this lull as a strategic opportunity.Here’s why making a move now (rather than waiting until the September rush), can give you the edge. 1. Less Competition = First Pick of TalentCome September, the hiring market floods back into action. Everyone is chasing the same talent pool at the same time - and by then, some of the best candidates may already be gone.By starting your search in August, you avoid the crowd and increase your chances of securing the right person before others have even got going. 2. You’ll Get More Time (and Attention) from Your RecruiterRecruitment agencies (ours included) tend to have more bandwidth in August, meaning you get more time dedicated to your search. We’re able to dig deeper into shortlists, move quicker on promising CVs, and really tailor your campaign - all without the usual pile-on that comes in autumn. 3. Candidates Are Still Looking — And Many Are Ready for a September StartNot everyone is on a beach in August. Plenty of excellent candidates are actively looking, especially those: Coming to the end of a contract Relocating over the summer Exploring post-bonus moves Looking to leave before the next quarter begins By engaging them now, you’re in a stronger position to line up interviews and offers for an early September start. 4. You’ll Avoid the September ScrambleIf you've ever tried hiring in September, you’ll know how hectic it gets. Roles build up, internal workloads increase, and hiring decisions are expected yesterday.Starting in August means you: Lock in your shortlist calmly Avoid rushed decisions Onboard early and hit the ground running Final Thought: The Smartest Hires Start EarlyAugust may not be the obvious time to recruit - but that’s exactly why it works. While others hit ...
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 ...
