Don’t be the guy that doesn’t need toner!
24-Sep-15
“So what do you think is holding you back?” My manager asks me in my review. When you know something inside is stopping you but you can’t explain who, what or why. I could delve deep into my psyche with a little help from Freud and my fear of rejection or perhaps invest a large part of my salary in EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) and erase that emotional hanger that holds me back or even NLP (Neuro Linguistics Programming) where I could completely reprogram my character by tapping into my meridian lines and changing all that make me…. OR… I can save my money, give Freud a generously long tea-break and write about it in order to help others – so here goes! When I have to pick up that ringing phone I have no issue. I love helping people, whether they have a query or a complex issue to resolve. I can be as chatty as I feel the situation and recipient allows or as professional and problem-solving as needed, but there is something about having to do sales calls I find daunting. My issue with sales calls derives from two key contributing factors – fear of rejection and rude people. When some people say ‘no’, they say it in a ‘nice’ way which matches my character ‘requirements’ as I like people to be nice! But every now and then you contact a disgruntled individual who is not shy in expressing their opinion on the purpose of your call to them – and that’s hard to not take personally! Perhaps you think I shouldn’t but, whatever your thoughts, if you can relate to my sales calls issue in any way then here is why you need to change and how. It will limit your professional and person growth – This is where I explain my title for this blog. Friends, as I’m sure many of you know, was arguably one of the most famous TV shows in the 90s and the ‘noughties’. One particular episode saw Phoebe land a job in telesales. She is given a script and told to make calls selling toner. She stumbles upon a depressed man who says he doesn’t need the toner she is selling because he ...
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 ...
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 ...
