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 ...
Looking for a Career?
04-Jul-17
Are you an experienced Recruitment Resourcer seeking your next challenge or someone seeking a long term career in the recruitment industry - if so this fabulous opportunity has just become available! We are very proud to be shortly promoting our current Resourcer into the position of Junior Consultant so are now looking for an exceptional candidate to step into this persons role. The Perms division is a busy, successful and thriving area of our business so will require a candidate with exceptional drive and commitment and team working ethos to join our smashing team. The successful individual must exude a calm and professional attitude and MUST have the ability to multi task and prioritise every changing priorities - this is a highly pressurised working environment that thrives on results without compromising exceptional levels of client and candidate care and service. Prospects for further development into a fully- fledged Consultant role are definitely available here and ready for the taking! As well as your basic salary and working with a great bunch of people there is also the opportunity to earn an uncapped bonus each month - the greater your success the more you will earn - so everything to play for and more. Role Duties Supporting a team of 3 busy Consultants Meeting and greeting candidates and setting up onto registration forms Taking of and checking of all right to work documentation and then processing onto internal CRM Answering of the telephone and forwarding messages onto the team Booking of registrations for yourself and the team Monitoring, coordinating and vetting of Cv’s via web apps and direct e mails Ascertaining a candidates suitability for a role- this will also involve the selling in of new opportunities Preparing CV’s for client submission Posting jobs onto job boards and creating regular external board posters and mailers Regular Boolean sourcing in order to match suitable candidates for roles Regular communication with both candidates and ...
Work Experience at UEA
19-May-17
Cali joined our team for two weeks work experience - brave soul! We asked how it went - it went a little like this; My name is Cali and I came to Uxbridge Employment Agency for my year 10 work experience. It was an enjoyable time and I learnt a lot about the world of recruitment. For me it was two weeks of paperwork, learning and laughing with the team. Here is my story for my first ever working experience. To confirm my work placement I had to call in to meet the person that would be supervising me. As I am a very shy person just talking to people over the phone is a scary thing to do. Luckily I managed to keep calm and composed. During the meeting and my first two days of work experience the only answers anyone would get would be a “yes” or “no”. I would be very quiet and would only speak when someone spoke to me. But everyone was super nice and really welcoming and managed to get me to join in with conversations more. My first few days I was getting to know how to do certain types of paperwork, for example I learnt how to make registration packs for both permanent and temporary candidates. I learnt how to use a CRM system and was taught how to: put candidates onto it, find certain candidates to see if certain details had been uploaded onto it and even take inactive candidates off of it. I created drop packs for both the Windsor and Uxbridge side of the agency. I also created bags for the Windsor team to take and give out. I started my second week by sitting in on a few candidate registration interviews, to see how different consultants conducted their interviews. I wrote up a draft of a CV to help me in the future. For a day I went upstairs to see how the finance side of the business worked, I even learnt how to send money to clients, candidates and the revenue. I was taught how to search for CV’s on the website Total jobs. I was then given a description for an accountancy job, for which I found three peoples CV’s that were ideal for the role. On my last ...
As a family-run recruitment agency that’s worked with local employers and jobseekers for years, we’ve seen our fair share of policy changes shake up the employment landscape. Some come and go without much impact - others genuinely reshape how people hire, work, and build careers.The Government's decision to shift from “day one” unfair dismissal rights to a proposed six-month qualifying period has already sparked strong opinions. But from where we sit - working closely with small businesses and candidates every day - there are some practical considerations worth highlighting.Here’s what this change may mean in practice. A More Balanced Approach for Small BusinessesMany small employers have been nervous about the idea of day-one unfair dismissal rights. For a family-run shop, a small café, or a growing start-up, every hire is a big investment - not just financially, but emotionally too. When you’ve only got a handful of staff, getting the hiring decision wrong can put real pressure on the whole team.By setting a six-month qualifying period, the government has created a workable compromise. Employers still need to treat people fairly - and most genuinely do - but they now have a realistic timeframe to assess whether someone is the right fit without immediately worrying about tribunal risks.By setting a six-month qualifying period, the Government has introduced a compromise that aligns more closely with how most businesses already manage probation. Employers will still need to treat people fairly (and most genuinely do) but they now have a more practical timeframe to make sure the role and individual are the right fit.This will, in our view, make some business owners more confident about hiring again, especially after years of economic uncertainty.A Win for Jobseekers Too — Especially Compared to the Old Two-Year RuleWhile six months isn’t as protective as day one, it’s still a significant improvement on the previous two-year requirement.Many people - especially those ...
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 ...
