It all started over 12 years ago (even though i look 16), I walked innocently into the only agency that were interested in me and met this lovely lady called Gerry. I temped at UEA a few summers in between college and drama school as 'the colourfully dressed' girl.
Last July I finished a U.K Tour I was on, moved back to London and moved house. I emailed Liz and the temp’s team to see if she remembered me and if there was any work whilst I was auditioning for my next show. Luckily, Liz needed help in their office for a 'couple of weeks' to cover holidays, (her new project).
I remember walking back in to the office, in a good way; nothing had changed and I was looking forward to seeing Gerry again. “I remember you, you’re the girl with the colourful wardrobe”, she said - as I stood there in a brightly coloured dress, bag and shoes.
The first week in, all I remember is Liz telling them I was a performer, introducing me to Orla who loved musicals & then the girl’s googled and you-tubed me. By the end, I was extremely embarrassed but I had completed my 'initiation process'. After two weeks, they didn't end up getting rid of me for over a year and a half.
I had so many highlights and memories throughout my time at UEA.
Our group night out to Martin's place was always going to be a good night. Dana's 'Eye of the tiger' routine, with the UEA sweatbands around our heads to get us awake in the morning & doing a massive high kick and turn. (I mean I'm a dancer and she can get her leg higher than me).Tripping up one step on the stairs, fainting and then jinxing us by having to use the accident book after six years. Getting a Dorito in my eye, doing our lunges or press ups to get us all motivated and The Easter egg hunt was always a highlight. Another funny memory was when Claire was waiting for her candidate to arrive as she was late, only realising she had given them her own home address. When we had two trophies in our office, little lemon & the UEA hero and just as Sian receives it, we do a boomerang, she drops it and then we spend the whole time hysterically laughing like naughty school kids. Getting pen all over myself when registering a candidate and not knowing until I came upstairs and saw everyone. I am really painting a good picture of myself here!
Setting the scene in the office on an average day at UEA, you could hear laughter down the whole of Windsor Street & we were LOUD! Yes, I included (not Sian or Tayla). The windows were wide open on the 2nd floor and if we weren't fighting to open or close it for heat or warmth, then Sarah had nearly fallen out of it on more than one occasion. Even when Lauren got engaged, we all spent the rest of the day / week talking about it, Sian pretending to be bridesmaid and walking down the office 'aisle' with our artificial plant.
Doing the Christmas card each year was one of my favourites. I have been lucky to have been a part of two of these, bringing in attire for the whole company, Siobhan showing us how to pose like a model, deciding on Christmas decorations in November and even getting the dogs in this year. Max and Bertie, where do i start with them! The two mini bosses’, especially when you sneak them into the office and commit to doing your work one handed just so that they can stay asleep on your lap, My favourite boys (sorry Charlie and Chris). Candidates, you will have to pass the initiation with those two too.
UEA has been so supportive of my career whilst working there, getting to go off and do what i love but also getting an insight to an office environment & finding out other things you love or are good at.
As you can see by following our FB /Twitter / LinkedIn for UEA and WEA, i have been building the social media for about a year (and I’m still trying to promote it now) @UEAgency. All our memories, jobs and new roles are updated on there each day and it’s a small insight into us, 'people in a peoples business'. I’m now handing it over to the lovely Emily and what a great job she is doing already!
It has been great to follow how this company isn’t just about work – it’s a family! (You’ve got be either loud or weird to work here) but I think that is why I felt I fitted in so easily. Each and every one of you have been incredible & all the wonderful candidates and clients i have dealt with along the way, its fate meeting certain people and talking about their careers or aspirations to find their love for that next chapter. I especially enjoyed working alongside Claire & Orla in the Temps team and my Windsor sister Sian, i always liked to explain to all the candidates who sat where and what everyone did. Did you know we have a sister company?
The support when somebody got a placement in the office, how genuinely pleased everyone is for each other is rare and remarkable.
A big thanks to Charlie and Chris, especially every time Charlie came down to see us, we would always get a nice anecdote or valuable piece of advice that I will cherish.
Well what can I say (apart from a page and a half), you heard it first hand, from a Temp's point of view, the best agency I have ever worked with. They placed me with them and I couldn’t be happier. They all work so hard each day, coming in early, never leaving on time, lunchtimes don’t exist so eat when you can, snacks on the side and always multi-tasking (maybe that’s why it’s all full of woman) ha! Finding people that perfect job and the perfect personality fit, they don’t give themselves enough credit. Trust me candidates you are all in good hands!
Well i am off to Panto land now, enjoy my little 'Recruitment survival kit' team and have a wonderful Christmas!
Lisa