My year in recruitment...
04-Sep-15
Let’s start with the beginning of my story… I had finished my second year of my BSc Politics and Sociology degree and to be honest, I genuinely had no idea what career path I wanted to follow when looking at placements and a career in general and that’s when UEA helped me. I started out doing a rolling temporary assignment in the Uxbridge Employment Agency offices, helping with general admin duties but I sat and observed a lot too. I loved how fast-paced and challenging the environment could be in recruitment so I simply asked for a placement and after an interview and presentation with the MD and Branch Manager; I was offered a year placement… And what a year it has been! The skills and experience I have gained are second to none. The girls are wonderful to work with and have helped and supported me through everything from placement assignments and ideas for my dissertation, day-to-day work and tasks, and even down to outfits and an exercise regime. “Live as if you were to die tomorrow; Learn as if you were to live forever” (Mahatma Gandhi) I have learnt a great deal during my time at UEA that I can apply to my final year at University. My typing has definitely improved which will help with the dissertation and assignments!! I have also gained so much confidence as I have to talk to people on the phone every day, meet candidates in the office and present myself to clients in meetings. Now I’m even taking on some marketing duties and helping to elevate our social media presence which to date seems to have been rather successful! I have also just completed my final project of assisting a Senior Consultant with the expansion of our new branch Windsor Employment Agency by researching business’ in the local area who we can partner with, finding exceptional candidates and marketing out our services all of which has been an exciting if sometimes a little stressful. But I can honestly say that I wouldn’t change a thing as the experience I have gained has been amazing! ...
A Newbie in Recruitment
18-Aug-15
“Challenging”, “fast-paced”, “demanding” are just some of the descriptive words people used to describe a role in recruitment to me and I can definitely say they were right and it hasn’t disappointed!! I have been at Uxbridge Employment Agency for four weeks now and no one day is ever the same, if I’m not sourcing excellent candidates for the roles that we currently have I am referencing. If I am not referencing I am registering candidates to put forward for new roles and if am not busy doing that you can guarantee I will be making or answering phone calls. So, it’s fair to say it is fast-paced and can be challenging but no one can argue that it is exciting and I’m thrilled about working in recruitment! Let’s back track a tad, my name is Sian Madigan and I have recently been employed at Uxbridge Employment Agency as Branch Resourcer in a trainee Internship. I have just finished my A-Levels in which I received two A*’s in Business Studies and a C in Media Studies and I am currently on a gap year before deciding whether to go on to University. So I guess you’re wondering how I got here?! Well to tell you the truth I have been interested in Recruitment for a year or so and decided that this would be the ideal job for me as the fast-paced environment and challenging aspects of it, truly offer job satisfaction coupled with the fact that it is a great career choice for anyone like myself who is just starting out in the ‘big wide world’ as it offers so many opportunities and career pathways. If you have been following our recent blogs then you can see that it is a very exciting time to join Uxbridge Employment either as an employee, like myself, or a candidate or client, like you, and this blog is a great way for me to share my experiences. I hope this blog can provide an insight into ‘recruitment life’ from both sides of the interview table and help you with your recruitment process through tips and tricks along the way. From one newbie to another... Starting a new ...
Relax - lifes a beach with the right team around you
11-Jun-15
10 weeks ago I booked a long-weekend trip to Dubai and I remember thinking at the time “everything will be under control by then!” We’ve had a lot of things going on in the business recently including two new staff members joining, a new division launch, new interview rooms installed and other major works to the building; hence the reason I felt I wanted to get away for a few days and would need the break! So today is the day I go on holiday – in fact I have a half day booked! But this week has been one of unexpected challenges, staff illness, tenders and audits – and I’m wondering where all the hours have gone. Being a Manager of a very busy and successful recruitment agency – often I feel taking any more than a couple of days holiday is not an option as there are always many plates to spin and responsibilities to juggle.. In my line of business I often come across key people who run their own business or are a key figure and they too seem to struggle with the thought of taking time off for holidays, let alone a 1-2 week holiday out of the business. Is this a limit we put on ourselves or is it the reality of the role we have taken on? My view is that it can be both depending on where your business is and when you want to holiday. I have to say I am always amazed at my fantastic team who seem to always be ready to take on key tasks and responsibilities when needed to ensure I feel confident when I am away. This reminds me that delegation is key in business as well as the development of the team around you so that they feel confident in taking on responsibilities in your absence. What we sometimes find hard to do is put that responsibility on those around us as we appreciate the hard work and efforts they are already putting in or we feel that perhaps we are best qualified - but does this stunt the business and limit growth? From my experience I think it does – let’s face it when we are recruiting we look for “team players”, we want staff that are ...
The trouble is, you think you have time
21-Apr-15
“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 ...
Happiness
20-Mar-15
Today is International Happiness Day and its Friday! Need I say more! This wonderful celebration of Happiness is not exactly common knowledge, and I am thinking why not?! So let me tell you why you should know about it! After watching the shenanigans of St Patricks Day on Tuesday, and persevering with Valentine’s day (actually I probably had the best treat, being treated to a Go Karting session, I’m not a bears and cards person) I thought I would shout about something I am passionate about….Happiness! In whichever form it comes to each individual. I am a member of a group devoted to research in Happiness, in all aspects of life. And recently they have sent me a pack with some great ideas on how to encourage people to embrace well-being and positive social behaviours. Interestingly this group, Action for Happiness, found through years of research that one of the most important factors to happiness was the importance of our “connections with other people”. However, in today’s modern society there seems to be a real challenge in making these connections. They go on to state “We are surrounded by people, yet we feel genuinely connected to almost none of them” Source:- Action for Happiness, Happiness Pack 2015, page 2. Technical advancements and social media have led to fast moving business transactions and the ability to be in contact with a broad amount of people. However is quantity better than quality?? Only you can answer that, however in my instance I am definitely a quality person. As an agency, working with people is what we do, and this societal shift to technology based business has impacted us in many ways, most importantly it has led to people being reluctant at times to register in person, preferring to do it over the phone, or sometimes purely by email!! Don’t get me wrong we are pro-activists in the online movement…hence this blog, our Facebook page, Twitter plus we perform Skype interviews to assist ...
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 ...
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 ...
