Who’s behind the wheel?!
05-Nov-14
The candidate it seems! And I should be the first to notice the change in the employment market over the last year, having endured one of the worst recessions to date. For I am one of those ‘crazy’ consultants that started their career in the midst of the recession in 2009, when jobs were thin on the ground and we were witness to companies downsizing or shutting up shop right before our eyes. Mass redundancies and instead of the usual introduction call of ‘have you got a job for us?’ the tone changed to something like ‘please pass on my contact details to the people you are making redundant’. Not that we had many jobs to offer them. Oh how the times have changed, and rightly so after so many years of high unemployment. Fast forward to November 2014 and we have more jobs than we have people! Well, not quite that extreme, but there is a definite shortage of talent/people in the market at the moment, most likely a result of increasing employment and improving economic conditions, driving business confidence and resulting in some ‘loosening of the recruitment budget belts’. So what does this mean to the recruiter/employer? Here are our key observations:- Candidates are moving fast: Savvy recruiters and employers are moving fast to secure their talent, and they are taking no prisoners. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard the saying ‘you snooze you lose’ recently! I debated with a head-hunter on this matter, as he was in the rare position of arguing that he has no-one else working with his candidates. They could spend 3 months deciding they want to work for a particular company, therefore unlikely to just change their mind on a whim. Whilst this is true and relative, for all of us employers that recruit within the entry to mid management level roles, we don’t necessarily have this luxury. More negotiation on salaries: Slight increases in salaries to secure talent. Companies are vying for that same small talent ...
Miriam
03-Nov-14
Lauren and the rest of the team at Uxbridge Employment have been great: professional, dedicated and loyal. For me, the best employment agency ever. I totally recommend them....
Lisa F
28-Oct-14
I had a really pleasant experience with Uxbridge Employment all the way through the recruitment process, which I was very happy with, having had less professional treatment from some recruitment agencies in the past. I was always treated with the utmost friendliness, courtesy and professionalism by anybody I came into contact with and any issues were always resolved speedily and to my utmost satisfaction. This continued right from when my current position was first suggested to me after my CV had been found online until my start date of 29.09.2014 and even beyond. As there were some unavoidable delays on the part of the employer during the recruitment process, it was very helpful and important to me that I was kept up-to-date as to the progress of my application. I think that Uxbridge Employment is very well-structured and extremely professionally run and would not hesitate to recommend this agency to my friends and anybody else looking for employment. I would like to especially express my thanks to Harj, Elspeth, Lauren, Claire and Chris for their helpfulness and professionalism....
Sometimes you have to just give it away
27-Oct-14
Some of the UEA team recently attended a graduate fair at our local; Brunel University, ‘Day out on a jolly’...or so we thought!! It was a hard days graft let me tell you and even I was sick of the sound of my own voice by the end of it! The idea was to identify exciting graduates as well as of course a little bit of self promotion (it would have been rude not to)! Seeing such a wealth of companies fighting for the attention of freshly graduated, bright eyed students, whether through big banners, TV screens or sweetie giveaways (yes we were one of them) just reiterated how valuable it is to be a graduate in this day and age. Whilst I do not promote the notion that a first class degree is the only route to a successful career, it’s certainly likely to help. On the other side of the coin, is it enough on its own? Talking to countless students, from first years through to postgraduates, I couldn’t help but wonder if they were being misled. I advised every individual I spoke to, that getting work experience was priceless...be this paid, unpaid, a result of begging...they should do whatever they could do to gain industry experience...and if this meant a few hours of their time once a week for absolutely no monetary reward than they should do it! I was shocked by how many of them looked at me as if I had suddenly begun speaking in a foreign language! Surely I couldn’t have been the first person to explain the importance of work experience before graduating?! Industry experience provides invaluable insight into the actual job you will be doing on a day to day basis, as well as opportunities to network with potential employers or even future clients. It also provides transferable skills that show you are able to achieve successful working relationships, whilst displaying your commitment and work ethic to potential employers. As a case study example we interviewed our very own Shannen Martin, who after coming to us in search of temporary work before returning to her ...
Katrina
16-Oct-14
I have had the most pleasant recruitment experience working with Uxbridge Employment Agency as job candidate and in my now permanent job role. When I first visited the recruitment agency, the staff was friendly and professional. I was able to provide them with my CV and make an appointment with Liz Penemo without delay. Although the office was quite busy, my initial appointment with Liz was not rushed and I left feeling that my employment needs were understood. Although I know from previous recruitment agency experiences that this is not generally the norm, I received a telephone call with a temporary job placement within in a couple of days. This opportunity became a full time permanent job position in which I have used Uxbridge Employment Agency for the company’s temporary services. The entire staff is helpful and very responsive with questions and requests. Overall, Uxbridge Employment Agency is friendly, professional, and extremely efficient on both employment sides as a job candidate and as a candidate seeker....
Despite continued uncertainty around budgets, approvals and longer-term hiring decisions, the day-to-day pressures on businesses haven’t slowed down. Work still needs to be delivered, customers still need to be supported and teams still need enough resource around them to keep things moving.As a result, more businesses are quietly turning to temporary support again — not necessarily because they are ready to hire permanently, but because they need reliable support now.Interestingly, many of these conversations are naturally evolving into something more long-term over time.What often starts as:“We just need someone to help for a few weeks…”gradually becomes:“Actually, this role is becoming more important than we first thought.”That’s something we’re seeing more and more.Temporary support has always given businesses flexibility, but in the current climate it’s also giving them breathing space. It allows managers to reduce pressure internally, avoid rushed hiring decisions and keep operations running smoothly while they work out what longer-term structure is actually needed.And importantly, it removes some of the pressure that comes with committing to a full recruitment process immediately.In many cases, businesses simply want support around workload, holidays, projects or gaps in the team. They want someone dependable who can step in quickly, integrate well and help keep momentum going without creating additional disruption.That’s why high-quality temporary staff are proving so valuable right now. They’re no longer viewed purely as short-term cover. Increasingly, they’re becoming part of a more practical and flexible hiring strategy — one that allows businesses to respond to demand as it happens, rather than trying to predict everything in advance.From front-of-house and administration through to customer service, HR and finance support, we’re seeing strong demand for experienced candidates who can make an immediate impact from day one.And in many situations, once a ...
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 ...
