Amber's blog for HR professionals and job-seekers

For HR professionals

20 Sep 2023

From improving your recruitment process to creating a culture of wellbeing and support, these strategies for Human Resources can make a substantial difference in enhancing employee satisfaction, productivity, and overall organisational success.

+

5 ways you can use power words to make your job application pop

For job-seekers

3 Dec 2021

There’s no silver bullet to land the job you want, but power words might be the closest thing. They are specific words and phrases that signal to an employer that you’re on their wavelength.

+

The future of psychometric testing in recruitment and HR

For HR professionals

29 Oct 2021

Psychometric testing in recruitment has been around for a long time. The first tests of this kind were developed at the University of Cambridge in the 1880s and have continued to grow in popularity.

+

Third sector careers: 5 tips for first-time applicants to the charity sector

For job-seekers

22 Oct 2021

Whether you're hoping to land a graduate role in an international organisation or find work in a local charity, competition for paid employment in the sector is fierce.

+

How to provide the best onboarding experience

For HR professionals

8 Oct 2021

Onboarding is one of those catch-all phrases – it can mean many things to different companies, but at its core, an employee onboarding process is the systematic and purposeful transformation of promising candidates into top-performing employees.

+

5 ways HR can reduce employee burnout

For HR professionals

17 Sep 2021

There is widespread agreement that employee burnout is a symptom of modern workplaces that are becoming increasingly fast-paced, complex and demanding.

+

How to respond to the ‘Talk me through your CV’ interview question

For job-seekers

17 Sep 2021

When interviewers ask you to talk them through your CV, they’re looking to quickly learn about your work history as well as your ability to communicate your individual story as it relates to the job you’re interviewing for.

+

5 tips for working from home with your partner

For job-seekers

20 Jul 2021

Learning to work alongside our partners might have started as something of a novelty, but it rapidly presented some significant and enduring challenges.

+

Should your company introduce a 'right to disconnect' policy?

For HR professionals

20 Jul 2021

Research carried out by Owl Labs in their annual State of Hybrid Work study, which polled 500 business leaders in the UK, suggests that the majority (84%) of UK businesses plan on having a hybrid, flexible or remote workforce post-pandemic.

+

7 ways to tell if an interview went well

For job-seekers

21 Jun 2021

The post-interview analysis can be as stressful as the event itself. Fortunately, there are a few clues that could indicate whether you've got this in the bag...

+

How video interviewing can dramatically improve your hiring process

For HR professionals

7 Jun 2021

Video interviewing is here to stay and we're not surprised, given it means you can skip first-stage interviews, minimise diary coordination, access better talent and halve your hiring time! We've recently added video interviewing to our services; here are some of the...

+

4 ways to use Pinterest to help your job search

For job-seekers

24 May 2021

Pinterest is a social bookmarking site which allows users to save images, links, videos and files – like a virtual pinboard. Here's how we think you can use the platform to help refine and support your job search.

+

Welcome to AmberHR: our new specialist HR division

For HR professionals

10 May 2021

AmberHR is our specialist recruitment division for the HR sector, providing core search and recruitment services alongside networking opportunities through events and seminars, free advice and guidance on HR issues to our clients and local HR market intelligence and resources.

+

The rise of the fake job advert and how to spot one

For job-seekers

26 Apr 2021

Fake job adverts are on the rise, with Action Fraud reporting an increase of 300% in the past two years. It is useful as a candidate to be aware of the issue and how you can protect yourself and your personal data.

+

5 reasons you should show the salary on a job advert

For HR professionals

12 Apr 2021

Whether or not to disclose a salary on a job advert is a contentious issue, and people tend to fall firmly on one side or the other. Here are five reasons why we think stating the salary in your job adverts is important.

+

5 red flags to look out for in job adverts

For job-seekers

29 Mar 2021

Most of us don't pay enough attention to job adverts, which only leads to disappointment down the line, either when you get a rejection or end up in a mis-sold position. Here are five of the biggest red flags to look out for.

+

Managing and supporting employees experiencing domestic abuse

For HR professionals

15 Mar 2021

The workplace can often be one of the few places that a person experiencing domestic abuse can be separate from their abuser, and therefore can be somewhere people are able to ask for and access support. But regrettably less than 30% of employers know how to respond.

+

5 books that will help you with your job search

For job-seekers

1 Mar 2021

Aside from plumping up your CV with new skills, we think having a deeper understanding of your professional direction and greater clarity on your route to success is pretty fundamental too. Here are our favourite five books in mastering the art of finding the right job.

+

The 5-step guide to managing your email

For HR professionals

15 Feb 2021

Focused email management can bring about instant and epic improvements in productivity and attitude; especially as so many of us are now remote working. If you find your inbox is bulging and filling up faster than you can empty it, these tips might be just what you need.

+

How to write a great professional email

For job-seekers

1 Feb 2021

Whether you're looking for work, hoping to extend your professional network or trying to make a good impression in your current role, it's an essential skill in the digital age to be able to compose a succinct and effective email.

+

7 ways upskilling your workforce benefits your company

For HR professionals

18 Jan 2021

A company’s ability to upskill creates a significant competitive advantage in our increasingly technology-driven world. In fact, according to McKinsey, “to emerge stronger from the COVID-19 crisis, companies should start reskilling their workforces now.”...

+

5 questions to answer honestly about your job search in the New Year

For job-seekers

2 Jan 2021

Draw a big, fat line under 2020 and start your job search from scratch using these questions as a guide.

+

7 virtual office Christmas party ideas

For HR professionals

15 Dec 2020

With the festive season upon us, keeping our employees feeling connected, valued and included is crucial. Christmas parties and after-work drinks are almost certainly out of the question, but festive virtual experiences and events are a great alternative...

+

Imposter syndrome: 5 ways to get over feeling like a fraud at work

For job-seekers

7 Dec 2020

Imposter syndrome can become particularly acute when you're job searching; questioning your qualifications, achievements, skills and abilities in relation to a job advert or person specification. So what can you do about it?

+

Our favourite local, independent outlets for your Christmas shopping this year

For HR professionals

23 Nov 2020

As a small, independent business in Ripley, we are throwing our support behind our community at a particularly tough time for retail. We asked our families, friends, candidates, clients and networks to recommend some of their favourite places to 'shop small and shop local'.

+

7 body language tips for your next interview

For job-seekers

9 Nov 2020

There are some simple ways we can convey the right messages in our non-verbal communication. Here are our top tips for your next job interview.

+

An HR toolkit for leading your team through change and restructure

For HR professionals

26 Oct 2020

We think these are the main considerations for HR leaders when supporting companies and teams through a change process.

+

Our graduate guide to job searching

For job-seekers

12 Oct 2020

We’ve been sharing a lot of advice and resources with recent graduates on the best way to approach their job hunt, so we thought it might be helpful to curate it all into a comprehensive guide for graduates.

+

4 strategies for reducing your company's gender pay gap

For HR professionals

23 Sep 2020

The gender pay gap has existed since women entered the workforce and continues to limit and restrict women in every occupation and industry today. Here are some strategies for closing the gender pay gap at your organisation, whatever the size of your workforce.

+

7 great questions to ask the panel in your job interview

For job-seekers

11 Sep 2020

Whilst most of us understandably focus our interview preparation on anticipating what we might be asked, it is so important to give some serious thought to what you want to know about them too. Here are a few of our favourite questions for an interview panel.

+

5 tips for new HR professionals

For HR professionals

26 Aug 2020

The following five tips are for new professionals entering this growing field who want to build a solid foundation in the profession. (If you're a seasoned professional, you might like to share them with your team!)

+

5 things to check before you sign a new employment contract

For job-seekers

12 Aug 2020

We think these are the five most important things to check in your employment contract.

+

The top 6 reasons companies lose their best employees

For HR professionals

30 Jul 2020

You don’t need us to tell you that an organisation’s most valuable asset is its people – but many who attract top talent frequently fail to retain it. What’s more, the majority of people leave for avoidable reasons. Here are some of the main culprits.

+

How to apply for jobs that are above your experience level

For job-seekers

15 Jul 2020

This is about those all too common instances when a role seems just a stretch too far from our current position, so we simply rule it out and move on. But what if you went for it?

+

5 post-COVID work trends your company should consider

For HR professionals

1 Jul 2020

A huge part of our post-COVID working environment will rely on HR leaders rethinking workforce and employee planning, management, performance and experience strategies. Here’s how we think you can do that.

+

The 5 key ingredients of your ideal job (Spoiler: They’re probably not what you’re expecting)

For job-seekers

19 Jun 2020

Park the ‘passion equals profession’ philosophy to job hunting for a moment, and take a look at these five ingredients for a refreshing ‘profession equals passion’ approach to finding your ideal job.

+

5 ways to recruit the best graduate talent

For HR professionals

4 Jun 2020

Here are five ways to successfully engage and recruit in the graduate market in 2020.

+

A sneak peek behind the scenes at some of our lockdown adventures!

For job-seekers

22 May 2020

We thought it might be nice to share some of what we’ve been up to during these very unusual times with you too.

+

7 things your employees want from you right now

For HR professionals

8 May 2020

We asked people what one thing they'd like their companies to be doing for them right now that would help them through this time. Here's what they told us.

+

Learning new skills to boost your CV during lockdown

For job-seekers

24 Apr 2020

There are plenty of ways you can power up your CV during lockdown so when the job market starts to pick up again you’ve got a whole new set of qualifications and skills to bring to the table.

+

7 things we love about people in HR

For HR professionals

12 Apr 2020

You've told us you're getting lots of advice on what you should and shouldn't be doing, and you're firefighting more than ever - so we thought we'd take a break from the serious stuff and send a little (socially distanced) cuddle to your overloaded inbox this month.

+

Looking for a job during COVID-19: A practical guide

For job-seekers

31 Mar 2020

There’s no doubt these are strange and troubling times, especially when it comes to our working lives. But the fact of the matter is that the majority of businesses need to continue because, quite simply, there is work to be...

+

COVID-19: How to keep employees motivated, reassured and productive

For HR professionals

18 Mar 2020

One of your biggest challenges is keeping your employees (and yourself!) motivated, reassured and productive. Here’s how we think you can do that.

+

What to do if you dread going to work

For job-seekers

4 Mar 2020

Sharing some strategies for keeping the work dread at bay.

+

GUEST BLOG: Legalesign E-signature

For HR professionals

24 Feb 2020

We have invited our partner, Legalesign, to share the benefits of their services with our community of HR professionals.

+

Five ways to move on from a job rejection

For job-seekers

5 Feb 2020

We thought we’d share some of the best ways to deal with a job rejection so you can come back fighting for the next round.

+

The top 5 things you can do to stick a rocket under your job search in 2020

For job-seekers

8 Jan 2020

You’ve polished off all the mince pies, wedged a small forest of wrapping paper into the recycling bin and slowly recovered from your extended festive hangover. As we settle back into those familiar daily routines after the Christmas break (a few pounds heavier and a few...

+

To do, to leave and to frog (yes, you read that right): The three lists you need to make this week

For job-seekers

17 Dec 2019

If you’re anything like us, your inbox and social feeds are starting to fill up with advice on making New Year’s resolutions and how to plan for 2020. It can all be a bit overwhelming and demoralising – especially if you have a track record of making...

+

Our guide to buying the best office Secret Santa present of 2019

For job-seekers

17 Dec 2019

It’s the first week of December. Sue from accounts has started playing Mariah Carey on repeat, John from legal has volunteered to organise the company do (because he plays in a terrible band that no-one likes - who will be headlining the event), Jane from admin has sent...

+

Three reasons you should research a company’s CSR before you apply for a job

For job-seekers

20 Nov 2019

Before you apply for a job, you’ll probably do a bit of research on the company and find out what it’s like to work for them. But how often do you specifically look at their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) policy? We think it’s one of the best ways to get under the skin...

+

How to get your job application noticed by an agency: Hints and tips from the Amber team

For job-seekers

1 Nov 2019

Researching and applying for jobs can be a gruelling and time-consuming process, and it’s often quite demoralising too. We thought it might be helpful to hear directly from our experienced consultants on what makes a candidate stand out to them. Nicola, Nicky and Bethany are...

+

Beyond the job description: Six differences between large and small companies

For job-seekers

21 Oct 2019

When we’re looking for a new job, most of us will thoroughly read the job description and try to get a solid understanding of the duties and responsibilities of the role. We might also look up what the company does to see if it sounds interesting. But asking questions about...

+

Six phone interview tips to get you through to the next round

For job-seekers

8 Oct 2019

Phone or video interviews are often used as a way of screening applicants for a role, helping to narrow down the number invited for an in-person meeting. They can also be useful when applicants are out of town during the interview period, or when recruiting to remote working

+

How important is a degree to your career?

For job-seekers

25 Sep 2019

This is a subject that we're often asked about, and one that tends to stir up quite a heated debate! You can't argue that some jobs require a very specific, standardised set of qualifications to be able to perform in the role - doctors, lawyers, architects, engineers, vets,

+

How to beat the September blues

For job-seekers

11 Sep 2019

Typically, we associate January with feelings of gloom and anxiety. It makes sense – Christmas is over, the routine of work is back with a vengeance, it’s cold and dark, we have no money and another long year looms ahead. But it’s surprisingly September that has the biggest

+

Using social media in your job search

For job-seekers

28 Aug 2019

Love it or hate it, social media is firmly and unapologetically front and centre in UK culture. But aside from it being somewhere to share things with friends and family, it genuinely has the power to make or break your job search. If you’re only using social media to share photo

+

The million-pound question: Which career is right for me?

For job-seekers

13 Aug 2019

Asking ‘Which job is right for me?’ is a daunting question for many of us – it’s one of the most important decisions we have to make, but one that we often feel quite alone and unsupported trying to explore.

+

Dress codes: Deciding what to wear to work

For job-seekers

2 Aug 2019

What we wear is one of the first things people notice, and we're subconsciously judged on our appearance almost immediately. Whether your company has a formal dress code or not, deciding what to wear to work is a common preoccupation for most British workers.

+

Mind the gap: How to explain gaps in your CV

For job-seekers

17 Jul 2019

Justifying gaps in your employment history is one of the biggest concerns we’re asked about when we’re supporting a person’s job search. There may be any number of reasons why people leave one role and have a gap, of however long, before starting another – from study leave

+

How recruitment agencies work - and how to make them work for you

For job-seekers

3 Jul 2019

Our job is often a major part of our identity; reflecting and amplifying our personality, values, goals and lifestyle. It’s why ‘So what do you do?’ is one of the first questions we ask when meeting new people. Many people will spend more waking time in the office than at home

+

Four steps to launching and loving a portfolio career

For job-seekers

17 Jun 2019

It might sound counterintuitive if you’re feeling unfulfilled at work to consider taking on an additional job, but that’s exactly what people are doing in their droves to improve their professional satisfaction. We’re meeting more people who are holding down a full or part-time

+

Logging out and jetting off: How to leave the office behind and enjoy your holiday

For job-seekers

5 Jun 2019

You’ve booked your flights, packed your sun cream and gleefully set your ‘Out of Office’, but how well are you able to truly switch off when you’re on holiday? In a culture of digital accessibility with the expectation of a rapid response, most of us feel the pressure

+

Twelve Must Be Our Lucky Number

General

1 Mar 2019

Celebrating our 12 year anniversary, we also ‘raise a glass’ to achieving the best year so far with a record number of placements and a continuously growing temps desk! Our feet have hardly touched the ground since Jill and Rebecca set up office with just two...

+

It's getting hot in here (but keep on all your clothes)

General

27 Jul 2018

We’re not really set up in the UK for extreme weather conditions so when it does happen, it takes us rather by surprise. You can’t have failed to notice that the past couple of months have been sweltering, with comparisons being drawn to the summer of ’76...

+

In the words of Sister Sledge

General

13 Apr 2018

At Amber Employment Services we have found that completing one another is far more productive than competing with one another! Our strength lies in the differences, not the similarities between consultants. We explore our thoughts candidly and work together for a common goal

+

A positive move for Amber Employment Services!

General

16 Feb 2018

We are excited to announce that our team has moved to a new location in beautiful Ripley, in more spacious and modern surroundings. We spent the previous 11 years in our shop-front premises in West Byfleet – our old office served us well, and we made great memories there,

+

We love Recruiting!

General

14 Feb 2018

As love is in the air for Valentines Day, we thought we would shout to the rooftops why we love recruiting! Let’s be honest here, we all put our hands up to say we ‘fell’ into recruitment – it wasn’t a plan we had when leaving school! However we...

Blog

Categories

Latest vacancies

Title: Recruitment Administrator (6 month temp assignment)

Title: Administrator / Receptionist

Title: Temporary Warehouse Operative

Title: Temporary Accounts Payable Officer

Blog

Categories

Search Vacancy

Latest vacancies

Title: Recruitment Administrator (6 month temp assignment)

Title: Administrator / Receptionist

Title: Temporary Warehouse Operative

Title: Temporary Accounts Payable Officer