Celebrating 30 Years in Recruitment
At 1st Choice we value our teams, nurture them, and develop them. We have our own culture which really is work hard and have fun. Our ethos is “happy people make money” – it is so important for any management team to identify what it is that makes each individual happy and feel cherished. We have recognised some of the following priorities identified by our teams:-
Our staff across the business currently benefit from these things and the results are great it really is true…happy people do get great results.
The Managers pictured left have service from 11 to 26 years at 1st Choice (combined service of 120+ years!)
We are all very different but all work to the core values of the business as well as keeping our teams motivated is our joint aim!
Left to right: Claire- Bedford Ops Mgr, Debs-Finance Mgr, Gaynor (top) Biggs Mgr, Emma (sitting) MK Mgr, Lizzie – Hunts Mgr, Gill – MD
See below for some real life examples of why our people are dedicated to 1st Choice and successful in their roles.
If you are in sales or recruitment and when you have read our information, think you might like to be part of our team in one of our 4 branches email me telling me why, Gill@1stchoicerec.com
Vikki Waite, Business Support Manager, MK
I registered with the Milton Keynes branch when I was looking for a new role. I was not sure that I still wanted a career within Recruitment as I thought I knew what Agency recruitment was! However, having met the team here, heard more about the company and had first-hand experience of how candidates are treated, I was keen to continue within the recruitment sector and join the team. I started as a Business Administrator and now after 18 months I am the Business Support Manager.
There is support, encouragement and training when you want it and I love working for a company that prides itself on the client and candidate experience in equal measure.
Alicia Smith, Bedford, Temporary Consultant
I started my journey at 1st Choice Recruitment as a candidate. I was greeted by a warm friendly team who accommodated my children while I was being interviewed. I was soon taken on as a Branch Administrator and learnt everything I could, supporting the team, especially the temporary desks.
I soon took over covering maternity leave on the temporary industrial desk and after a year I took over permanently and have grown the desk from strength to strength. Every day is different, and I am given the flexibility in the office to develop within my own role and manage relationships with clients. I love going out on visits and filling bookings – it gives me the determination to succeed and provide for my family.
I see myself working and developing at 1st Choice for a long time for 3 main reasons: their core values and culture, the challenge the role gives me and the team environment.
Claire Barnett, Bedford Temps Consultant
I started at 1st Choice Staff Recruitment after I had been made redundant from a position I had worked really hard to get into. My confidence was low and I thought well, I will give it a go! I was taken on in Bedford as a resourcer and after a tricky start getting to grips with the twists and turns of recruitment I have not looked back. I have never worked for a company like it!
Fully supported by my line manager, my team and where else do you feel comfortable enough to have a cup of tea with the Managing Director? I have moved up from Resourcer to Account Manager and am now the Temporary Consultant, travelling an hour to get to the job and company I love. I look forward to developing within my role and with 1st Choice Staff Recruitment.
Emma Mist, Operations Manager, MK
In 2008 I joined 1st Choice as the MK Branch Receptionist, since then I have progressed through various roles within the business from Account Management to a Commercial Consultant and now I manage the branch.
Over a decade later and I still LOVE my job! You only need to look at the length of service of each of the management team to realise how 1st Choice look after their staff, so you don’t want to leave!
The culture that has been created is very unique. We are very traditional in our approach and are all about providing the highest levels of customer care and it’s a brand I feel proud to represent.
We are not thrashed with unrealistic sales targets; instead we are left to breathe and get on with delivering a quality service to our candidates and clients alike.
The variety within the role leaves you constantly feeling stimulated and challenged. I also enjoy the flexibility of working for a smaller company with strong family values, where you aren’t just a number.
I personally couldn’t ever imagine working anywhere else.
Claire – Operations Manager, Bedford
I joined 1st Ch
oice in 2001…and can honestly say that I have never thought about leaving! I joined as a trainee and have developed through the business over the years and now head up a team of 8 in our Bedford branch. Training is always available, internal workshops and external recruitment specialist training has helped me progress and excel in my role. Having the support there when I need it, always feeling appreciated and respected as well as having that flexibility required as a Mum are all reasons that I am so happy here as well as the ability to earn great money and drive a great car!
Debs Kelly, Finance Manager
20 years at 1st Choice Staff Recruitment Ltd, I think that says it all!
From a part time accounts assistant to Finance Manager, bringing up children and caring for elderly parents , 1st Choice have been there with me, every step of the way. The support in both my professional and personal life has been more than I could ever have wished for.
A great place to work where I feel respected, listened to and allowed to have a voice. The training and rewards have been great. Looking forward to another 10 years of working together!
Charleigh Shipp, Recruitment Assistant, Biggleswade
I originally started with 1st Choice in the Huntingdon office as Branch Administrator. This was my first ever “grown up” job and little did I know, the first step in my career. It was here that I developed as an Administrator, learning the ropes with payroll and assisting with the temporary desk. After 2 years in the role, I fulfilled my dream and went travelling for 8 months to Australia, New Zealand and Thailand. 1st Choice contacted me fairly soon after I arrived home, and I now work as a Recruitment Assistant in the Biggleswade office, assisting on the temporary desk, and I couldn’t be happier. My next challenge is to complete my REC qualification in the coming months. Watch this space!
If you are in sales or recruitment and think you might like to be part of our team in one of our 4 branches email me NOW Gill@1stchoicerec.com
