Six steps to attracting and retaining top talent

Six steps to attracting and retaining top talent

Want to secure the very best people for your team? Here are six things you need to do right now.

Every employer dreams of having a team of people who are at the very top of their game. Loyal, committed, creative and productive, they will achieve your ambitions with efficiency and aplomb.

It’s easy to land one or two stellar employees, but much harder to ensure your whole workforce is of such a high standard.  

But how do you go about recruiting such a team? It’s easy to land one or two stellar employees, but much harder to ensure your whole workforce is of such a high standard.

Nothing is impossible, however, make the right moves, and you can achieve recruitment heaven. Here are six things you can do right now to help build your dream team.

1. Be proactive about business growth

In a time of economic and political uncertainty, it can be tempting to batten down the hatches.  But now is the time to be bold, especially if you want to attract the best talent to your business.

Prospective employees will be drawn to a company that is dynamic and future-facing. Make plans and pursue your ambitions and you’ll find that people want to come and work for you. Nothing quells the enthusiasm of a candidate like a business that is stuck in the doldrums, or dragging its heels until better times come around. Your future is in your hands. It’s time to make your own luck.

Six steps to attracting and retaining top talent2. Go looking for your ideal employees

If you have a clear understanding of the sort of person who will best help you achieve your goals, go and find them. Rather than waiting for vacancies to appear due to staff churn, create roles that align with your strategic objectives. Then write very clear and careful job descriptions that maximise your chances of recruiting the right people.

There’s always a margin for error in any recruitment process. But if you know what you want from candidates, you can express that clearly in job ads and specs, and have a way of testing their abilities during the selection process, you’ll be on a clear path to success.

3. If you see a good employee, act

“Employees are like neckties,” says Peter Foy, Just Recruitment’s director. “If you see one that you really like, you should buy it, even if you don’t have a shirt to match. This can come later, but you may never see that tie again.”

The point is plain. Sometimes, you’ll come across a person who you just know would be great in your company. If you can find a way to recruit them through a transparent and legally compliant selection process, you’ll be onto a winner.

“Of course, you need to find a job for them to do,” Mr Foy asserts. “But effective recruitment is often about finding people with the right instincts and dispositions for your needs. You can train someone in the particularities of a given role, but there are certain things you simply can’t teach.”

...if you’re looking to attract and retain high-quality staff, you need to show them that hard work and achievement is rewarded.  

4. Reward success

The jury’s out on the effectiveness of financial incentives for staff performance, but one thing is clear: everyone likes to be appreciated.

So, if you’re looking to attract and retain high-quality staff, you need to show them that hard work and achievement are rewarded. It could be a pay rise or a bonus, or maybe a company car or private health insurance.

One thing that works very well from a motivational point of view is to offer experiences rather than monetary rewards or tangible gifts. Taking your successful team skiing for a week, or giving them the opportunity of a weekend away in a swish hotel, can make all the difference to their perception of you as an employer. It’ll motivate them to go on giving their best and ensure they give a good account of you to prospective colleagues.

5. Invest in your people

“Here’s the news,” says Mr Foy. “You probably won’t be able to procure the perfect team off the shelf. So the best way to get your people at the top of their game is to invest in their training and development. That way, you can grow them, build on their talent, and shape them to suit your needs.”

Even better, regular training and support helps staff to feel valued and encouraged, meaning they’re more likely to give their best, and stay with you for the long term.

6. Use a recruiter to help secure top talent

You may be very good at running your business, but your access to potential employees is limited to people you know, and people who apply for the vacancies you advertise.

Use a recruiter, though, and they’ll help you identify as many great candidates as possible. With a huge database of people looking for jobs, a company like Just Recruitment has a whole army of potential employees at its fingertips. Even better, it has already identified each candidate’s gifts, abilities, enthusiasms and passions.

“A company like ours knows how to construct a recruitment process that yields the best possible outcome,” explains Peter. “We have expertise that adds value to a client, and more than pays for itself by ensuring the right people end up in the right jobs. It’s a bit of a cliché, but a company’s people are its greatest asset. So why not invest in finding just the right candidates, using experts to ensure the process is effective, legally compliant and well-structured?”

 

Let us help you find the right people to attract and contact your local branch.

 

Published: 3 February 2025
© Copyright Just Recruitment Group Ltd 2025

Jobs currently available

New job
Digital Marketing Executive
Sector: Marketing, Advertising and PR
Location: Ipswich
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC17
About the role

Just Recruitment has a fantastic opportunity for a skilled Digital Marketing Executive to join an exciting company based in Ipswich.

You will be responsible for driving business growth and boosting brand visibility through digital channels.  The role involves developing digital strategies, managing SEO, SEM, email campaigns, and social media—particularly within a B2B context. Creativity and a strong grasp of digital tools are essential.

After successfully completing the probationary period, hybrid working is available — with a minimum of 3 days in the office and up to 2 days working from home each week. Hours are 9am to 5pm.

Duties include:

  • Working with the Marketing Manager to execute the marketing strategy.
  • Drive the development, evolution and progression of websites.
  • Facilitate content population and migration, defining content, meta descriptions and relevant back-end tags as appropriate, manually transferring content and assets as required.
  • Review webpages for accuracy of copy, internal links and downloads.
  • Support the image library collation and upload process, including video content.
  • Integrate SEO into content plans, create and optimise engaging content for the website and social media.
  • Create new web pages to meet the needs of the business and the marketing plan, conducting analysis through tracking tools and reporting.

Vital professional expertise required:

  • A minimum of three years' experience in a digital marketing role.
  • Website Content Management Systems.
  • Website reporting and analytics tools (e.g. GA4).
  • A/B testing and other forms of optimisation.
  • Social media platforms and scheduling tools (e.g. Hootsuite).
  • PPC & Email marketing.
  • Prepare reports on marketing and ROI metrics.
  • Working within B2B industry.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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New job
Office Support Co-ordinator
Sector: Public Service and Administration
Salary: £25,250 per annum
Location: Tiverton, Devon
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB05
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with an established manufacturer, based in Tiverton, Devon, to recruit an Office Support Coordinator.

Hours: 35 hours per week. Monday to Friday, 8.30am/9.00am to 4.30pm/5.00pm.

This is a key role providing front-of-house and administrative support across the business. Responsibilities include managing the switchboard and visitors, coordinating meetings, preparing documents, and maintaining records. The position also supports the HR & Payroll Manager with drafting and formatting documents, ensuring well-organised administration. While it does not involve direct project leadership, it requires a proactive and efficient approach to daily operations.

Duties will include:

  • General administrative support to the wider business, including document creation and record maintenance
  • Support to the HR & Payroll Manager, particularly in drafting and formatting documents
  • Arranging travel – overseas and in the UK, and monitoring the effectiveness of service provisions
  • Carrying out annual tasks, such as driver licence checks for company vehicle drivers, updating and maintaining systems and databases to ensure up-to-date, accurate information
  • Phone cover and switchboard support
  • Visitor management, including sign-in and hospitality coordination
  • Meeting support, including room bookings, refreshments, and logistics
  • Support with the coordination of compliance training and logging of events and certificates
  • Utilising and creating content for our learning management platform – becoming an admin user proficient in creating and analysing reports for compliance
  • Responding to internal support requests and processing outcomes, such as placing orders for personal protective equipment and consumables, maintaining internal records and procedures
  • Assisting with documenting workflow processes to formalise our wider team procedures and ensure continual review to ensure up-to-date practices are in place
  • Administration support of the starter/leavers process, including updating our business systems

Required key skills include:

  • Exceptional communication and customer service skills to include: interpersonal, verbal and written
  • High attention to detail and accuracy
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, etc.)
  • The ability to communicate professionally at all levels
  • Interested in developing automation tools to improve efficiency
  • Comfortable investigating issues and following through to resolution
  • Discreet, professional, and collaborative in a multi-functional team environmentExcellent written English skills, with the ability to produce clear, professional documents.
  • Familiar with the organisation of events, overseas travel or similar
  • Previous experience in an office support role for a large multi-functional organisation
  • Adaptable, self-motivated, team worker with a can-do attitude who can demonstrate initiative

 

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

 

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Workshop Fitter
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Location: Clacton-on-Sea
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC16
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing business, based near Clacton-on-Sea, to recruit a Workshop Fitter to join their long-standing team.

Duties include:

  • Precise fitting of mechanical and potentially electrical components according to technical drawings and specifications.
  • Operating and utilising a variety of engineering tools and equipment with expertise and safety.
  • Contributing to the overall build process from sub-assembly to final machine completion.
  • Working collaboratively with the experienced team to ensure top-quality output.

Key skills required:

  • Proven experience in a manufacturing or engineering workshop environment is essential.
  • Demonstrable knowledge of engineering tools and equipment, and a track record of using them effectively.
  • Skilled in fitting parts together and building complex machinery with accuracy and attention to detail.
  • Able to thrive in a fast-paced environment and take pride in your work.

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

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
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Order Processing Administrator
Sector: Public Service and Administration
Location: Witham
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC15
About the role

Just Recruitment is partnering with a well-established and successful business in Witham to recruit an Order Processing Administrator to join their long-standing team.

The role will primarily focus on uploading orders and quotes, accurately interpreting dimensions from drawings, and demonstrating a keen eye for detail to ensure items are produced with the right first-time approach, meeting customer requirements.

Duties include:

  • Vetting of customers' drawings and orders
  • Uploading orders and quotes onto the internal system
  • Ensuring all orders are checked within the agreed KPI’s
  • Sending orders to out-sourcing and responding to queries and questions that may arise
  • Processing delivery notes and invoices
  • Investigating and processing remake paperwork
  • Undertaking any administrative functions within the office as and when required

Key skills required:

  • Excellent attention to detail
  • Excellent organisational skills to manage the workload for the team
  • Confident with technical information (or confidence to learn)
  • Self-motivated
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Computer literate (Excel/Word)

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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Customer Service Administrator
Sector: Public Service and Administration
Location: Witham
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC7
About the role

Just Recruitment is partnering with a well-established and successful business in Witham to recruit a Customer Service Administrator to join their long-standing team.

You will be responsible for delivering a high level of customer service to both regular customers and internal stakeholders, including production, accounts, transport, and the sales team. You will work towards key KPIs to ensure that the highest standards of customer service are maintained and continuously improved.

Duties include:

  • Vet customer orders ready for processing onto the system.
  • This includes applying the correct delivery dates to suit the customer requirements whilst ensuring it fits in with the production dates, capabilities and delivery areas.
  • Proactive response to answering the telephone within 3 rings.
  • Enthusiastic attitude to deal with and resolve customers' queries or issues promptly.
  • Proactively follow up with customers to resolve queries if they have not responded. Ensure all verbal correspondence is confirmed in writing and the system is updated with correct information.
  • Support the end-of-month invoicing procedure, investigate and find any missing delivery notes.
  • Routinely speak to key accounts and regular customers to grow a productive working relationship with them.

Key skills:

  • Exceptional customer service skills - must have a friendly and positive phone manner.
  • Energetic, self-driven and motivated.
  • Excellent attention to detail.
  • Ability to continually multitask.
  • Ability to prioritise your time to plan and organise your day.
  • Ability to learn and absorb information.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 5.00pm.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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Logistics Administrator
Sector: Transport, Logistics and Shipping
Salary: £28,000 per annum
Location: Sudbury
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913731
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing business, based on the outskirts of Sudbury, to recruit a Logistics Administrator to join their team on a full-time basis.

The key purpose of this role is to support the warehouse/logistics team with all admin and office-based tasks, managing the transport and delivery of products as required.

Key duties include:

  • Managing stock levels and ensuring timely deliveries, reviewing sales orders and assigning which stock should be picked in line with first-in-first-out (FIFO) principles.
  • Monitoring warehouse activities, including shipping and receiving, making sure the quality of goods received and goods sent out is to the right standard and supported by the correct documentation.
  • Ensuring paperwork is filed and available to be accessed by any auditors.
  • Tracking deliveries in/out and providing updates to customers and sales colleagues.
  • Work closely with colleagues across different departments to ensure successful and timely delivery to customers, and that the company have the raw materials needed to successfully produce the finished product.
  • Requesting certificates of analysis from the quality team and ensuring the relevant pallet and delivery labels, as well as relevant paperwork, are attached to all deliveries to customers.
  • Carrying out regular stock takes of raw materials and finished products.
  • Calling off raw materials from 3rd party warehouses in line with production plans to ensure production never runs out of materials.

Role requirements include:

  • Proficiency in logistics systems and processes.
  • Experience in warehouse operations.
  • Knowledge of supply chain management principles.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills - you pick up the phone or speak to people in person where possible instead of sending an email.
  • Strong attention to detail.
  • Computer literate – able to follow processes across different systems and maintain records in Excel.
  • Excellent organisational and time-management skills, ability to organise own workload and manage time effectively to meet deadlines and lead times required for deliveries to different locations/customers.
  • Able to work autonomously or as part of a team, you take a positive, proactive, problem-solving approach to tasks.

The working hours for this role are Monday to Friday, 8am - 5pm.

This is an office/site-based role.

Due to the working location, you will need access to your own transport.

This role offers a competitive salary with company benefits, and it is an excellent time to join the expanding business.

 

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

 

Read more