Ellie's work experience, experience - so far...
02-Mar-18
As a student the hardest part of my short journey is ‘how to gain experience without experience?’ To rewind to the beginning of my process I will start by mentioning a bit about myself. I’m Ellie, I’m 19 and I’m doing an International Hospitality and Design degree in Switzerland. The second part of my semester is a work placement. As this degree is fairly broad I was most interested in the sales and marketing segment and wanted to explore this further! My friends and I found it incredibly difficult to find work experiences or placements which offered this position with students who did not have relevant experience in this area! I have been interested and had heard of recruitment before and it had sparked up a conversation time to time about how this is an industry which involves working from a lot of different angles! Within a few hours of my first day at Uxbridge Employment I could see this was clearly true as I have been involved with everything from sales support, advertising and PA work. So I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to explore different departments to see which really suited me the best! I was very lucky and had a friend who knew Charles the MD of UEA and was able to get me in contact and was able to have a phone interview, to then be shortly followed by a Skype interview with Lauren who was able to run through everything with me and to be able to put an active plan into place to gain constructive experience which would be most beneficial! I was so nervous and apprehensive to walk into the office and to imprint a good first impression on everyone, as I’ve never worked in an office it made it evermore nerve-wracking! But immediately I was made to feel at home and welcomed into the team. My first impression of the office was that it was very fast paced; a constant sense of excitement and a fabulous close knit team! One thing which I kept telling myself is not to be shy, smile and listen. There are a million and one ...
Monitoring quality is one of our qualities!
11-Jan-18
Here at UEA we take quality seriously. To ensure we offer a quality product we look to communicate to all our stakeholders, that’s not just our team but also our clients and candidates, how we monitor and improve our service. Hot off the press is our latest quality statement written by our MD so why not have a read and let us know your thoughts on the service we provide... Quality Policy Statement The success of Uxbridge Employment Agency relies on a triad of contributory factors: our colleagues, our clients and our candidates. Our reputation, our prosperity and our bottom-line depends on the mutual progression of all these stakeholders. We aim to provide an excellent service matching high calibre candidate with client requirements for both permanent and temporary staff. In order to be market leaders in our sector we are both inward and outward looking. We closely monitor developments in our sector, carefully considering implications and implementing changes where possible. This enables us to provide our clients with the best quality products and services whilst continuously innovating and improving our standards. Our aim is to continuously raise the bar, become the provider of outstanding products, and support services for our clients. As part of our quest for quality, we operate a quality management system based on ISO 9001:2015, which is subject to regular internal audits and third party inspection. The system is aimed at providing us with a framework for continual improvement of our systems, processes and procedures to help exceed client expectations and satisfaction. The senior management are committed to ensure that the client and applicable requirements are satisfied. This policy is appropriate to the business and supports the company’s overall strategic direction, with the commitment of continual improvement of the quality management system. The feedback from using the quality management system provides the ...
The Life of a Temp
09-Nov-17
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 & ...
Tip Top Tips - The Interview
25-Sep-17
When attending an interview, first impressions really count! In this short period of time you are expected to demonstrate a snapshot of who you are, what you are capable of and why the employer should choose you over anyone else - you are under enough pressure without a mile long list of things to remember! First-things-first then. Below are our top 5 essentials when preparing and attending an interview: 1. Dress to impress DO: Think smart and business like DON’T: Think night out or trip to the gym You know that feeling when you put on that crisp shirt, sharp suit and those new shoes - feel like a million dollars? We know we do. Doesn't it make sense to carry this feeling into your interview? We understand that there are interviews where the corporate environment might dictate a more relaxed approach to clothing but only take this as true when you have specifically been told this is the case. In all other situations make sure you are looking, well - fantastic! 2. Arrive on time DO: Plan your route (if you have time conduct a dummy run) DON’T: Rely on the journey running smoothly (especially during rush hour) We cannot think of a bigger faux pas than arriving late! It will instantly put you on the back foot and gives the impression of sloppy timekeeping. We all understand that if there is a major accident this cannot be avoided but give yourself every advantage by factoring in any potential delays. Our tip is to build in at least 30 minutes redundancy - if you arrive early, so what! It will give you this time to review your notes and walk into the interview calm and mentally prepared (instead of crashing in at the last minute, flustered). Kudos to you! 3. Be Prepared DO: Research the company and have a good understanding of the role DON’T: Assume and think surface knowledge is enough Let us let you into a little secret. The individual who will secure this role will not only be the person with the most relevant skill set - it will also be the applicant ...
Writing a Job Spec
12-Jul-17
If you have ever had to compile a job spec and starred at a blank screen then this article could be for you. To be fair even if you have put together hundreds of job specs it never hurts to re-visit the subject to double check you are presenting all the relevant information to secure the talent you are looking for. We have listed our guide on the top areas to focus on and hope it proves of use! 1. Job Title & Summary - reflect the job! It might seem obvious, but first and foremost, make sure to include a job title and summary that reflects on the responsibilities required. Whilst the job title should be very concise, a summary provides an opportunity to provide a “high level” brief on the role including an overview of responsibilities. It’s important to remember that the summary should be no novel, however, it is an ideal time to provide a succinct overview of the opportunity and can also include any additional information you deem essential. Such details that are often top of the list for clients are such thing at key skills required, levels of experience necessary, industry’s standards needed as well as an overview of the company’s values and culture. It is worth remembering that differing companies and industries often have entirely different cultures so make sure you choose a writing style that matches your business i.e. a start-up might have a much more informal approach than an established accountancy firm so make sure you use language that reflects your business. 2. Type of Opportunity - clearly outline & include the exact location Temporary, Contract, Temp-to-Perm, Part-Time, Full-Time? It’s key to outline early on what type of opportunity you are advertising. Candidates really appreciate clear and concise details on what exactly to role entails – including whether it suits their requirements in terms of hours etc. By confirming this early on it saves the possibility of people applying on the back of the job spec and not reviewing early on that it ...
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 ...
