How To Choose The Best Recruitment Agency

Posted on August 16, 2017October 3, 2017 by James Kingston

How To Choose The Best Recruitment Agency. A recruitment agency can help you find your dream job, for more money, faster – but not all recruiters are equal. There are lots to choose from and it can be hard to sort the good from the bad. Here’s how to make sure you find a good one…

Before you even start looking for a recruitment agency, take a bit of time to work out what you want – what kind of work you want to do, the size of company you enjoy working for, where you’d like to be based, what sector you’d like to work in, and whether you want temporary or permanent work – oh, and how much you’d like to realistically earn. Stay flexible, but this will help you find the right recruiter – and help them find the right role for you.

Phase I

Desk Research

Come up with a shortlist of agencies before you waste time sending emails to all and fielding irrelevant replies. Half-an-hour now could save a lot of heartache later on…

Ask For Recommendations

There’s no better assurance than a recommendation from someone who has used a recruitment agency – both as a job seeker and as an employer. Ask former colleagues or trusted contacts for their opinions and recommendations.

A Credit To The Company

Take a five-minute tour of the agency’s website – they have a website, right? First, look for accreditations and membership of industry bodies. They should be a member of a recruitment body working to the highest standards in British recruitment.

For construction, CHAS (The Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme) is a good thing, as is a credit for the Constructionline database. Also check for certification by the International Standards Organisation (ISO).

If you’re targeting one location, then look at the office address and signs of local expertise such as Constructing Excellence South West.

Background Check

A specialist recruitment agency will likely be better informed, with better connections than a generalist, but make sure they really have experience of both your industry and recruitment in general. Blogs, news articles and team profiles are good for this.

Client testimonials are not only a clear indication of the recruiter’s contacts, but also that employers value the agency’s work enough to say so to the world.

Pretty Vacancies

Look through online vacancies on their site to make sure the roles they recruit for broadly match your ambitions, even though the latest positions vacant may not be listed.

Check The Company’s Pulse

If the website was last updated sometime last year, that’s a sure sign they’re not very busy (unless it’s the first week of January). You should see new vacancies in the last seven days and preferably a recent blog about the company itself or the wider industry.

Going Offsite

Search social media to see if the agency’s profiles are up to date or neglected. Any business with something worth shouting about will shout about it. Google them, looking for links from employers, positive user reviews and industry awards.

Phase II

Make Contact

Your research has ensured the agencies worth talking to, but there are more questions to ask. Take notes to refer back to – if you speak to half a dozen agencies, it might be difficult to remember who said what later.

The Professionals

How does the company come across – professional or sloppy? Chances are, that’s how clients feel about them too; and you’ll be seen in the same light. How does the receptionist answer your call? Are you connected efficiently? If they promise a reply by email, does it come when they promised? How is it formatted?

Passion Not Profit

If the first question from the agency is how much you want to earn, they’re just working out how much commission they’re looking at. Move along. Similarly, ask how they make a profit. It’s usually from the hiring company, so say goodbye if they charge a fee of candidates.

It’s a great sign if the recruiter is interested in your work history and where you want to take your career. Specialist recruiters should be passionate about the sector and the people that make it happen.

What Services Do They Offer?

Some agencies will use your CV to plug a gap for a client, while others will take the time and effort to match you to the right role. The former will close your file when you sign on the dotted line, while the latter will continue to offer support right up to your first day – and even beyond.

Recent Form

Find out what roles they’ve filled recently – and where. Ask what their candidates gone on to do regarding promotions or length of service. No recruiter will break confidence, but their answer should demonstrate ongoing contact and support.

Don’t Spam

It’s tempting to register with a bunch of places and see who comes up trumps, but it’s more effective to be selective and build a real relationship with the right agency. They’ll be more motivated to work on your behalf if you work as a team.

Phase III

Stay In Touch

Talk to the team that’s working for you after you sign them. Even if your dream job isn’t out there right now, they’ll be the first to hear about it – often before it’s even advertised. And you want to be at the top of their mental rolodex when it does…

Talk To Us

We’re proud of the work we do at Kingston Barnes, for clients and candidates alike. If you’re looking to step up your career in construction, consulting and engineering, then we’re confident that we pass every test as a market-leading recruitment agency.

Take your time, do your research and if you think we can help, then we’d love to hear from you. Talk to us today on 0117 325 2233 or send us an email at office@kingstonbarnes.com

How To Stop Putting The Brakes On Your Career

Posted on April 26, 2017October 3, 2017 by James Kingston

How To Stop Putting The Brakes On Your Career. We look at why some candidates don’t make the most of their careers – and how they can boost their earning potential and job satisfaction.

Taking the next step on your career ladder can be a bit of an emotional rollercoaster ride, if you’ll pardon the mixed metaphor. From the despair of finding the right role and self-doubt on application to the agonising wait to hear if you’ve been deemed acceptable, it’s easy to imagine that you’ll only get your hopes up, only to have them dashed.

Far from setting yourself to fail, if you go about your job hunt the right way, you’re actually setting yourself up to succeed. Talk to a professional recruiter, who can help you identify your strengths and where you can successfully apply them, from industry sector down to specific roles – and even individual companies who are looking for… well, you.

Would You Rather Be Comfortable, Or Fulfilled?

If you’ve been in your current role for some time, then you know how it works. You know what the company wants from its employees; you know what to expect of your boss; and you know how and when you get paid. Even if you’re not happy with any or all of these things – and a hundred more – you know what to expect. And that familiarity can be comforting.

Which is exactly why it’s called the comfort zone. Nobody does their best work from inside their comfort zone, as evidenced by research in 1908 by two psychologists that has become known as the Yerkes-Dodson Law. Their data shows that performance increases – up to a point – with interest. If your work is not sufficiently challenging, or stimulating, then you are quite simply not working to your potential.

Fear Of Rejection

Nobody likes being told they’re not good enough, so why put yourself in a position to be hurt if you don’t succeed? Because the alternative is to never find out what you’re truly capable of – and isn’t that the larger failure?

The key to overcoming this fear of rejection is to measure yourself against the industry standard so you can accurately assess your status and potential. Again, a good recruiter can help you to realistically measure your chance of success and crucially, how you can improve it.

If you don’t ask, the answer will always be ‘no’. If you do ask, sometimes, it might just be ‘yes’…

Lack Of Qualifications

This is possibly the easiest objection to overcome. If you’ve identified your ideal job, but lack the paperwork, invest your time and money to achieve it. And it will be an investment – in your future – and as such, you can work out the time or money put in and the projected return on investment.

Whether that’s through on–the-job learning, night school or distance learning, you can do it if you really want to. It may take longer than you’d like, but that will only heighten the sense of achievement when you make it.

Lack Of Experience

This one’s not so easy. It’s the old Catch 22 that you need experience to get the job, but you need the job to get experience. It’s time to think laterally and identify the skills that are key to the role, then work out how you could acquire them in other areas.

You might be able to find a job that requires relevant skills, or you could look at hobbies and volunteer work that demonstrate an interest and a willingness to learn in those areas.

Big Fish, Little Pond?

The transition from apex predator to dither fish is a daunting proposition, but once you’ve reached the top of the food chain in your current environment, where else is there to go? Enter the big pond as a little fish and you’ll have room to grow.

What’s The Worst That Could Happen?

The human brain is very good at tricking its owner into sleepless nights over unfounded fears. This is called catastrophic thinking. Don’t listen to those nagging doubts in the darkest hours of the night; or rather listen, understand and file them. Then apply your rational brain in the cold light of day to identify unfounded fears or potential problems. Fear can’t hurt you and problems only need the right solution.

Today IS The Day

If you’ve ever postponed progressing your career because the time isn’t right, today’s headline news is – it’s never going to be the right time. If you’re waiting to get your ducks in a row or the right celestial alignment, then you’re going to get very good at one skill… waiting.

Not being ready is just an excuse. If you have an ambition to make more of your career, then today is the day to sit down, identify any challenges – and, most importantly, how you can overcome them one by one.

Don’t let today get away; this is your time to act. Take the initiative for the rest of your professional life by talking to us today about how we can help you to make the most of your career potential. Call us on 0117 325 2233 or email us at office@kingstonbarnes.com

Can Job-hopping Leapfrog Your Career?

Posted on March 4, 2016 by James Kingston

Can Job-hopping Leapfrog Your Career?

It’s hard to strike the right balance between loyalty and ambition, but job-hopping can boost your career – if you do it right! Here’s how…

There’s no such thing as a job for life in the 21^st Century. Nobody expects a pocket watch or a monogrammed fountain pen in return for a life of service these days. On the face of it, that might not sound like progress, but it’s your career that will progress as a result of taking full advantage of every opportunity that presents itself in the modern marketplace.

WHY PLUG AWAY AT THE DAY TO DAY?

Why do so many of us stay on the treadmill, when there are plenty of pavements out there to pound? Laziness, familiarity and a sense of safety are the most common reasons for ‘making do’.

So what are the most common reasons why people choose change? The most frequent reasons we hear are pay, working conditions, or career progression. Change means personal growth, whether you change industries, location or responsibilities – and what professional doesn’t want to grow?

According to a PayScale report in 2012, most millennial employees stayed in a position for just two years. But even in today’s fluid market, a history of job-hopping can make you look like a risk to a potential employer. So how do you make the most of your opportunities without coming across as fast-and-loose?

CHANGE FOR CHANGE’S SAKE ISN’T GOOD

Make sure that you move for the right reasons. Who could argue if a new position exposes you to new challenges, ensures your development as a professional, or advances your career?

One of the biggest benefits to working for a range of different companies, from start-ups to mega-corps, is that you’ll get to experience different ways of working. Not everybody does things the same way and the lessons you learn with one company could be valuable to the next. Employers love ambitious individuals who want to make the most of themselves.

MONEY FOR NOTHING

Sorry, but it doesn’t happen outside of MTV. Your career shouldn’t be all about ‘more money now’. If that’s your only motivation for changing roles, then think again.

You should look at what you want to get out of your work life and how you see your career developing. A side-step today can lead to a step forward tomorrow. Think about prospects for progression, company growth, shares and performance related pay that adds financial value to your professional worth.

AIM TWICE, FIRE ONCE

When you consider that your career could span 40+ years, it makes no sense to rush into a short-term fix. It’s only after doing a job for some time that you can truly understand the value of your skills and how an employer can align with your values and interests.

If you’re staying in the same field, then find out who does what how – and where you can make a contribution. Or if you want to change tack entirely and move into another sector, read industry publications, attend conferences and speak with a recruiter. Get feedback on your performance from employers, colleagues and peers for inspiration, so you can understand where they see the value in your contribution. They don’t have to know why you’re asking!

BE ON TREND

Yesterday’s movement might hold an appeal, but you need to target tomorrow’s cutting edge to ensure career progression. For maximum impact on your career, identify a growth sector that builds on your experience and abilities, and appeals to you – then go all-in!

DON’T BURN YOUR BRIDGES

However tempting it might be, never part company with your present employer on bad terms. Not only do you need their reference now, but you never know what tomorrow holds. However unlikely it seems, there may come a time when you want to return to the fold.

The ideal would be not to leave for a competitor, but if you do, fulfil your standing obligations and behave in a professional manner throughout your contract. While some employers may see your departure as a betrayal, the professional ones will respect your drive for personal and professional growth. Take the time to emphasise your appreciation for the opportunities your existing employer has given you and what you’ve learnt in your time with them. That way, you’ll be free to return if the new role doesn’t work out, or your present employer presents a better option in the future – it could happen!

TALK TO US

If you want to explore your potential for career progression, call Kingston Barnes today on 0117 325 2233 or email us on office@kingstonbarnes.com

Testimonials

Jamie Harwood – Operations Director | Beard Construction

I have known James for nearly 10 years during which time he has supplied me with various temporary staff on site from a setting out engineer to a site manager. James’s understanding of the construction industry combined his vast market knowledge makes him an excellent recruiter. I can trust James when given a position to provide someone that will always stand up and more often exceed expectations. James is a pleasure to work with and will always be upfront, honest and reliable. If he cannot find the right person he will tell me rather than just trying to place a bum on a seat.
Duncan Hutchinson, Director | G Works Ltd

I have known James for over 5 years during which time I have used his services for supplying temporary and permanent personnel for engineering, management and quantity surveyors.

James spent the time understanding our business needs and personnel, hence when called upon always delvers candidates who meet our needs and fit perfectly into our company. James will always go that extra mile and put 110% effort into filling even sometimes the most difficult position with little or no time available.

James’s communication skills throughout the whole recruitment process are second to none and we trust him and Kingston Barnes to deliver our needs when called upon. Their knowledge of the market and candidates is excellent and he can always find the right match of candidate for us.

I would not hesitate to recommend James and Kingston Barnes to anyone within the construction industry, we trust what they deliver for us.
Laurence Howlin, Senior Engineer

I have known James for over 10 years during which time James has placed me on several long term contracts, on prominent / high profile projects in the Bristol and the surrounding areas.

James is professional and efficient, yet takes the time to give you a personal and friendly service. He is highly regarded in the recruitment industry both by the people he has placed and the clients he has provided for.

James is always my first choice when venturing out for a new position in the Construction Industry, and I never hesitate to recommend him
Andy Corp, Managing Director | Halsall Construction

James is able to understand effectively what our business needs are and can match high calibre candidates to the skills sets, experience, and qualifications required. James has responded very quickly to our ever changing business needs for both permanent and contract staff and has always delivered on tight timescales.

James is professional, knowledgeable and helpful. We are very impressed with the results and the candidates have made successful additions to our team.
Lee Mahoney, Senior Quantity Surveyor

James has an outstanding knowledge of his market sectors and is my only point of contact when seeking an employment opportunity. I have known James in excess of 6 years and find his attitude towards candidates is very personable and as a candidate you feel as though you aren’t just a number and a means to a commission. James is very thorough in sourcing the right position and meticulous in ensuring all parties are kept well informed. I would recommend James to anyone seeking career opportunities in construction and shall continue to use his expertise in my own career development.
David Wright, Site Manager

I was contacted by James as he had come across my CV that I uploaded to the internet literally days before, he was very friendly and genuinely interested in not just my qualifications but my work history and me as a person. From this initial conversation I was amazed how many people we both new and had worked with in the industry. James already had a position in mind and set about getting me interviewed. This happened so quickly two weeks later I was interviewed at Kingston Barnes offices in Bristol, one week later I was back for the second interview and offered the position of a Site Manager.

Unlike many recruitment services out there, Kingston Barnes knows what its clients needs are; of both those recruiting and those looking for a new career. They are both efficient and genuinely interested in getting the right people in the right position. James is a great guy who would put any one at ease before an interview. I will definitely recommend Kingston Barnes to anyone who is serious about finding a new career.
Rachel Lintell, Former HR Manager – Resolution Interiors

I have worked with James in various guises, be it permanent recruitment or for contract roles and have always found him to be the complete professional. For example, in order to streamline the process of recruiting contract site managers I needed to set in place a new system to be able to cope with the demand and with James’ support and advice, this made the whole process much easier and less stressful and meant we were able to make cost savings along the way too!

James supplied a number of permanent candidates into a fast paced business and literally dozens of contractors over the three years that we worked closely. The candidates were all high quality and reliable and James took the time to listen to and understand our needs as a business. I find him extremely easy to get along with, you can rely on James to be honest and up front I have great trust and confidence in James’ abilities as a recruiter and would not hesitate to recommend his services.
David Dawson, Commercial Manager

I have worked with James Kingston over a number of years and he has provided a consistently high standard of service in securing suitable temporary and permanent candidates for various vacancies for me in the South West. I look forward to continuing to work with James in the future.
Richard Zaki | Construction Manager

I have only worked with James for 1-2 years and came across him by reputation, I was told he was an excellent recruiter with a good grasp of local candidates and that he provided a good quality service. I am pleased that James actually exceeded expectations! I approached James to assist me in finding a Project Manager for our Devon region. James only sent me two CV’s of candidates both of whom were exactly matched to the specification he took from me when he came down to see me to discuss the vacancy in more detail. Both candidates were worth interviewing and we employed one of the candidates introduced via James.

James has a very good understanding of the construction market and all the people within it. I have since used James on several occasions and look forward to continuing to do so in the future.
Andy Harris, Senior Site Manager

I have worked for James Kingston on and off for the past 4 years for various companies James has introduced me to on a temporary basis. James has a very good knowledge of the building and construction industry and very good working relationships with the people he employs and also his clients, I have found James to be very honest and professional at all times, and is my preferred recruitment specialist providing me with long runs of work with excellent rates of pay I would have no hesitation in recommending James Kingston to fellow colleagues and clients.
Kevin Cornish – Project Manager | Bouygues UK

I have worked with James for 10 years as a client and more recently as a candidate looking for a new opportunity.

James upholds the professional approach at Kingston Barnes that in my view gives this company one of the best reputations within the region for construction recruitment.

James has the necessary contacts and understanding of the type of personnel I required in my previous role of head of construction at Cowlin, Operations Manager at ISG and also as Project Director for Balfour Beatty’s £70m Temple Quay development. James is a pleasure to work with, regularly and reliably finding me first rate employees and managers and will I’m sure remain for some years one of my preferred partners within construction recruitment.
Phil Tucker – Preconstruction Director | Galliford Try Building South West

I have known James for over 5 years and have used his recruitment services on many occasions, one of the biggest difficulties I have found is finding the right candidates for a vacancy, even more difficult is finding the right recruitment consultancy to act on your behalf and introduce the right people to us.

I found James very honest about his candidates, he knew their strengths and weaknesses and his knowledge about the regional contracting market is fantastic. James understands our requirements so when presented with a vacancy can identify and accurately match the individual I am looking for and find the right candidate.

James is professional, understanding and an excellent recruiter. He will take the time to understand our business and will always deliver on assignments providing in my opinion perfectly matched candidates. I look forward to continue using James and Kingston Barnes services.
Paul Brierley, Managing QS – Harvey Shopfitters

Our company has used Kingston Barnes on numerous occasions to fulfill our resource requirements. Not only have we built up an understanding of mutual trust but also one of professional integrity. As our company continues to expand, it is vital that discussions between recruitment consultants remain confidential. We expect possible candidates to have been thoroughly vetted to suit our needs . I am confident in stating that Kingston Barnes provide a service which we can rely upon.
Theo Hartry, Assistant Site Manager

I just wanted to thank you again for my new placement. Its been a pleasure dealing with Kingston Barnes from the beginning. My previous experience of recruitment agencies has always seemed time consuming and I’ve been left feeling unsure whether my best interests are being considered, however when dealing with Kingston Barnes there was no wasted time. The very next day after sending them my CV I was in dialog about various job prospects and this continued until the correct offer was found. As I was currently working I was glad that I wasn’t pestered everyday with pointless job offers, they only seem to talk to me when a suitable position was available. The successful position that was offered to me had been carefully and incredibly rigorously found. I was given lots of support before the interview with a great amount of detail about the company’s background and current position within the industry. The position was perfectly suited to my current ambitions and has offered me a large scope for career progression. Following my successful placement I was sent a very thoughtful personalised bottle of champagne and letter congratulating me which in my experience is just one more element that separates Kingston Barnes from any recruiter I’ve dealt with.
Steve Duke – Senior Quantity Surveyor

Just a note to thank Kingston Barnes in helping me in securing my new position at Redcliffe Homes.

From our first dealings you always listened to my requirements and kept in contact on a regular basis which made me secure in the knowledge that you were acting on my behalf as a person and not a number.

I cannot recommend you and Kingston Barnes highly enough to anybody looking for a creditable employment agency in a sea where many are viewed with distrust.
David Medley – Quantity Surveyor

After some bad experiences I was initially reluctant to move back from retail into construction, however after a meeting with James Kingston and Alex Payne of Kingston Barnes I felt very confident they would be able to find me a company that suited me. From the outset, I felt Kingston Barnes were looking after my best interests as they took the time to understand my ambitions and training needs. It wasn’t long before they were able to find me a number of companies which they felt were suitable and then acted quickly to arrange interviews. For each and every interview I was given a lot of information to help me with learn about each company, this strongly contributed to receiving the eventual offers. James talked me through each offer clearly and pointed out the benefits of each without being too pushy to go with one or another. I am now very excited to be restarting my career in construction and this is largely due to the service provided to me by Kingston Barnes.
Pete Holland – Project Manager

I am a Chartered Builder with over 40 years’ experience in this country and overseas and I am quite a good judge of character. I have been a freelance Project Manager for the past 3 years and am really enjoying the freedom that brings. I work with a few people I trust and Charlie is one of them. I was so impressed with our initial telephone conversation that I came up to Bristol from Trowbridge in Wiltshire so we could meet.

It was the day of the General Election 07-05-15 and I was so glad I did.

I met with Charlie and Jordan and we discussed the construction market and freelance opportunities. These young men were genuine and switched on, interested and so willing to help. Throughout the summer Charlie kept me going with opportunities allowing me to make good impressions with several contractors for which I am most grateful.

Charlie always give me the impression that he wants to do the best for me which is why he is one of my tried and tested contacts!
Gary Male – Design & Technical Director – Bloor Homes

Kate, many thanks for your assistance in sourcing two new members for our commercial team over the last few months. I have found you and others at Kingston Barnes to be a pleasure to deal with as you have always been responsive, professional and pro-active. This has been a particularly active market and your response with a suitable candidate was most welcome on both occasions. Should any vacancies arise in the future, I will definitely utilise the help of Kingston Barnes in filling the role.
Mark Keightley – Quantity Surveyor

I have had a fantastic success story will Kingston Barnes. After being on the market for a few weeks I was beginning to think it would be difficult to achieve what I was looking for. After speaking to James Kingston within 1 hour I was sat in Kingston Barnes office discussing what I was actually looking for and creating a shortlist of companies to approach, this was the first time I had ever been invited to do this, as many other consultants were only interested in sending my CV to anyone that showed an interest. By the next day James and Alex had arranged 4 interviews for me, providing a varied selection of companies all within my criteria and requirements. When I was offered the job verbally, the written offer took some time to come through, however Alex was on hand to manage the process and keep me updated. I would highly recommend Kingston Barnes going forwards as they found me exactly what I was looking for.
Andrew McKim – Project Manager

Kingston Barnes delivers. As a freelance Project Manager, Charlie has placed me on a number of good local projects with high-ranking, regional players, keeping me continually employed over the past eighteen months. I have been very impressed with his integrity. If you are looking for a construction management role, then I would definitely recommend you give Kingston Barnes a call.
Simon Larkin – Project Lead – Sweet Construct

I would like to give a huge thank you to Kate Hallett of Kingston Barnes. She was very helpful and worked hard on finding the right position for me (two positions and two offers). I would highly recommend her and her team if you are looking to recruit or looking for a new position. Thanks Kate Hallett.
Martin Burgis – Partner – Peter Gunning & Partners LLP

“PGP have used Kingston Barnes to source various new members of our Quantity Surveying team over the past few years in what is a challenging marketplace for new recruits. Kingston Barnes have taken the time to understand our business and have provided some excellent candidates taking the time and stress involved with advertising away and allowing us to continue to concentrate on our business. We would strongly recommend Kingston Barnes to assist anyone with their recruitment needs”
James Driscoll – Cost Manager – Turner and Townsend

“I am pleased to provide this statement to highlight the exceptional service Kingston Barnes offered me from initial contact to successfully being placed with an employer. I would like to give a special thanks to Charles Orr, you have been a pleasure to contact, very helpful and friendly. Thank you for your encouraging words and support from my application to interview and after to see how I’m getting on, I will never forget this!

I would highly recommend Kingston Barnes you have been fantastic to work with”.
Joe Poppy – Quantity Surveyor – Cube LLP

During my career as a Quantity Surveyor over the last 12 years I can honestly say I have not come across a recruitment consultancy that prioritize the applicants needs over their own finding fees, until I met up with Kingston Barnes. My position was a particularly difficult one at the time but KB managed to take my requirements on board and introduce me to a company that could fully accommodate them as opposed to trying to tempt me into alternative opportunities that most of us would have considered anyway. In addition to the excellent service provided during the negotiation process KB have continued to impress with their aftercare, with regular feedback on progress and sincere willingness for the candidate to succeed within their new role (something that a lot of recruitment companies tend to forget about). I would recommend KB to any aspiring QS that wants to improve their career.
Nick Cooper – Land Director | Redcliffe Homes

It was a pleasure to deal with Kate at Kingston Barnes. They have fantastic contacts within the development industry and unlike many other recruitment agencies made me feel like an important individual and took my search seriously and kept in regular contact. They were quick to understand the type of role I was looking for and more specifically the type of company I was seeking and each time put me forward for exactly the right position. I found Kate professional and approachable and always there to help through the process.
Nik Williams – Contracts Manager – Harvey Shopfitters

Having had some very mixed experiences with a variety of similar firms in the past, it was an absolute pleasure working with Kate Hallett at Kingston Barnes.

After an initial introduction with Kate, she wasted no time at all in contacting various prospective employers, which she felt suited my skill set and requirements. Within a few days she had meetings set up, and very quickly I was employed by a fantastic firm.

I know that it was Kate’s professionalism and persistence that opened the door for me, and without her I would not be in the position that I am in now. Even after my employment, it was reassuring to receive follow up calls and emails enquiring how things were going, which is a great touch.

I really cannot rate Kingston Barnes highly enough, and I would recommend them to anybody who feels they need the services offered.
Richard Jeans – Interim Procurement Manager | Edwards Vacuum

I have been an Interim Procurement Manager with Edwards for over 6 years. The department I work within is a key part of the business. Non-performance would stop inbound supply of products so when we have any staffing requirements they are urgent and very important we have the right person hired.

Historically I have found it very difficult to recruit for my team. I have used agencies in the past but my experience has been awful. I have found a lot of recruiters do not understand the positions or our business and are unable to act fast to my needs when the arise. As a result no suitable candidates being submitted has left important gaps in my team.

I have only been working with Kingston Barnes for the last 6 months, but I must say working with them has been a breath of fresh air!
Kingston Barnes have successfully recruited 3 excellent people in my team all of which are still here. Every vacancy I have needed to fulfil they understood the role and the type of person I was looking for. But what has impressed me the most is their speed of finding quality candidates. Within 24-48 hours of my requirements being identified I had a selection of perfectly suited candidates which had been carefully selected, consulted in detail and sent to me. All of which were an exact match to what I was looking for. This has saved me an awful lot of time and hassle, ensuring my team can succeed.

Kingston Barnes is now my recruiter of choice. They get my needs, understand the business, communicate well but most importantly deliver. I would certainly recommend for companies looking for an easy, enjoyable and effective recruitment process.