A third of Britons are unhappy with their career prospects

Have you ever felt as if you were stuck in a dead-end job, or felt your career was at a standstill? You’re not alone, but what do you do next? Don’t worry, we have it covered.

Recent research from Nottingham Trent University highlights that many UK workers feel stuck in jobs they dislike, with little chance to progress. Nearly half have thought about changing roles in the past year, yet concerns over age, finances and job security are holding them back. This leaves a lot of people feeling like they’re just working a job to get by, without any real path for advancement or development.

...a lot of people feeling like they’re just working a job to get by...

The problem is particularly noticeable for people in jobs that don’t offer many opportunities to build skills or move up. For them, it feels like there's no way to turn their work into a career. In contrast, higher earners often have more access to training and career development, which gives them better opportunities to progress.

The changes in the state pension age also mean that we will probably be working for much longer, so we should try to at least enjoy it!

If you are unhappy with your current workplace, our article ‘Seven signs that you need a new job’ may help you determine whether a job or career change is in order.

For those who are hindered by uncertainty or a lack of confidence, finding work through a recruitment agency could really help you. Here at Just Recruitment, we always place people first. We get to know your strengths, needs and desires – helping you find a fulfilling career path and mentoring you throughout the process.

If you would like a chat with one of our consultants, follow the link below:
Register your interest with Just Recruitment
Or simply call 01376 517079.

Published: 5 September 2025
© Copyright Just Recruitment Group Ltd 2025

Jobs currently available

Accounts Administrator

About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a well-regarded and long-standing family business based on the outskirts of Colchester — looking to add an Accounts Administrator to their team.

Working hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm.

Please note that due to the company’s location, you will need to drive.

You will need to have a minimum of 3 years’ experience working with Sage 50 accounts and Sage payroll, with the ability to work on your own initiative.

The role is focused within the remit of bookkeeping up to trial balance using Sage software.

Duties include:

Ensuring timely and accurate recording of financial transactions.
Daily financial operations, including posting of supplier invoices, reconciliation of supplier accounts, accounts payable management, creation of customer invoices, accounts receivable management, etc.
Performing bank/credit-card reconciliations, including a factoring banking account and petty cash accounts.
Quarterly VAT returns and analysis. (including RTI submission to HMRC).
Preparing weekly aged creditors reports and processing the weekly supplier payment run accordingly.
Preparing monthly aged debtors reports and providing credit control where required.
Maintaining the cashflow forecast for the Finance director to review.
Processing monthly payroll, payments, journal entries, and year-end procedures (including RTI submission to HMRC).
Managing auto-enrolment pension contributions, submissions, and legal returns to the pensions regulator.

Skills required include:

Significant experience in finance or accounting.
Proficiency with accounting software Sage 50 and payroll.
Advanced knowledge of spreadsheet software such as Excel.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Experience in data entry.
Effective decision-making and problem-solving techniques within a finance environment.

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

General Workshop Engineer

About the role

Just Recruitment is seeking a General Workshop Engineer for a Colchester-based company. Ideally, you will have general engineering workshop experience and be looking for opportunities for professional growth and development within a specialist field.

If you are a skilled individual with a passion for precision and a desire to create exceptional tooling, we want to hear from you!

Please note that you need to have your own transport due to the company’s rural location.

Working hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.30pm (40 hour week).

Key responsibilities include:

Operating Specialised Machinery, which may include:
- CNC engraving machines.
- Chemical etching equipment.
- Grinding and polishing equipment.
- Operating a Band Saw.
Precision Finishing: Perform detailed manual finishing, deburring, and hand-tooling to achieve the highest standards of accuracy and sharpness.
Some physical lifting will be involved.
Quality Control: Conduct stringent quality checks at every stage of the production process, ensuring dies meet exact specifications and the company’s high-quality benchmarks.
Maintenance: Assist with routine maintenance and calibration of machinery to ensure optimal performance.
Collaboration: Work closely with the design and production team to ensure seamless workflow and project delivery.
Problem Solving: Identify and resolve any issues arising during the die-making process to maintain production schedules and quality.

Company benefits include:

A supportive, collaborative, and friendly team environment.
The chance to work with cutting-edge technology and contribute to exciting projects.
28 days paid annual leave, including bank holidays, plus a day off on your birthday.
Uniform provided after successful probation.
Employee assistance programme.
Health cash plan.
DIS insurance after 2 years.

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.