People in a people business
People in a people business
“Those who make the worst use of their time are the first to complain of its brevity.”
Jean de La Bruyère, Les Caractères
I know I’m not the only one who wishes we had more hours in the day, right?! Whether it’s work, family, education, friends, children, hobbies, housework or ‘me time’, there seems to be something for all of us that we wish we had more time to dedicate to. After entering the world of recruitment less than a year ago, effective time management is undoubtedly a skill I am still honing! I had previously considered myself as somebody highly organised - I like lists, have a clear desk policy (at the start and end of the day at least), I had managed staff rotas and audits before – surely this wouldn’t be much harder? It seems I was mistaken!
“Time is a created thing. To say 'I don't have time,' is like saying, 'I don't want to.”
- Lao Tzu
We all get the same 24 hours yet some people achieve so much more with their time than others – the reason for this – effective time management. But what does this actually mean? Using fancy technology to organise your life for you? Making more lists? Having a PA?
Having recently taken on increasing levels of responsibility in my job role I sometimes feel I’m on the verge of a nervous breakdown and my time seems to be constantly slipping away and my time in the office has been steadily increasing day by day. After researching what I could do to help myself work more effectively – the greatest tip I have found without a doubt, has been to look back at the days I achieved the most – what did I do differently? I realised the days I was most effective were where I used effective time management techniques, so here are my top 10 tips:
Make lists
This goes without saying right?! No matter how photographic you may think your memory is, at some point there will be something you will forget if it is not written down. Whether it is used as a step by step guide for your day or a reference guide to use intermittently – there is no denying this will help you to make the best use of your time. For larger projects; break tasks down into smaller bite size pieces or you run the risk of having vague tasks that you will not fully complete
Plan the following day before you leave
The end of the day is the perfect time to plan the day ahead – the day’s activities are still fresh in your mind – both good and bad, anything you didn’t achieve is loitering around your mind so it can be prioritised for the start of your to do list and most importantly, no matter what happens between you leaving the office and skipping back in the following day – you save time not having to think back to what happened the day before and get can stuck in
Take regular breaks
This is one I don’t do and most of us are guilty of failing to do in our office. It is all too easy to eat lunch at your desk and only get up to use the bathroom – as much as we love to convince ourselves we don’t have time to take a break – being busy does not mean we are being effective! Hunger does not encourage brain activity and a quick break every few hours mean your eventual output is likely to be of a much better standard
Exercise
No I don’t mean pounding the treadmill for an hour a day! Even as little as 10/15 minutes a day - exercise is fabulous for clearing your mind as well as helping to deal with the stresses and strains of life. On top of that you will naturally look and feel better than you did before – it’s a win/ win!
Set goals
You don’t need to write down your goals because they are always at the back of your mind, right? As much as we all want to believe this, the reality is having these written down clarifies our minds and reminds us where we are going and what needs to be done to get there. Whether these are daily, weekly monthly or yearly, having a visual and constant reminder of our goals saves time by reminding us what we need to do and what to prioritise
Prioritise
Having a ‘to do’ list is great – but working down it systematically without identifying which order you should do them will not yield positive results. Work out which tasks have the highest value – depending on the type of tasks this could be weighted financially, by deadline, length of time required to complete and so on- you will be most efficient when you know which order things needs to be completed
Set personal time limits
Ensure you set yourself time limits for tasks as it is all too easy to lose awareness of time or get distracted. Setting time limits for each task means you will be much less likely to allow yourself to get distracted or procrastinate and are conscious of eating into the time slot for your next task
Share the load
If you are like me and a perfectionist…you need to get over yourself! If there are tasks than can be completed by other members of the team or somebody supporting you, let them do it. It does not make any sense for you to have an unrealistic workload when this can be shared (yes nobody does it quite like you but that’s ok). If not, you are risking burn out or producing sub –standard work due to not being able to give it all your un-divided attention
Managing interruptions
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Email, phone calls, queries from colleagues/ clients…there always seems to be something to interrupt your workflow. Minimising interruptions is key to working more efficiently and effectively. Set designated time slots for checking your social media, turn off notifications that aren’t necessary, don’t go to your inbox just because you have seen a small envelope appear in the bottom right hand screen, if you are really up against it ask colleagues not to interrupt you unless they really need to...I’m sure they won’t hold it against you
Switch off/ reward yourself
As important as it is to remain focused on the task at end, leave it where it needs to be- office/ school/ anywhere else. Whilst the wonders of technology mean we can access our home/ office anywhere from the bathroom to the underground – it can too easily turn into a curse meaning you never really switch off. Maintaining work/ personal boundaries is key to ensuring you are most effective in each without being distracted thinking about the other. If you achieve what you set out to that week/ month/year – reward yourself with whatever makes you feel good – be it a night out, yoga session or holiday – go on – you deserve it!
“You may delay, but time will not.”
Benjamin Franklin
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 ...
