Entrepreneurship and Women Directors

If you read yesterday's blog you'll know that I was talking about redundancies and people being out of work.

One of the options that somebody might choose is setting up their own business in the hope of following the likes of Richard Branson. You might have missed it, but this is Global Entrepreneurship Week. If you've ever wished you could be one of the Dragons then maybe this is the time to do it.

There's a lot of support and advice around if you want to set up your own business. Try Business Link or Enterprise UK and you'll get loads of useful information.

And if you need real high powered support and leadership then there's nothing better than a woman at the helm. The latest report from The University of Cranfield tells you that women at Director level are available to help you make your business successful. Why? Because FTSE firms are failing business women.

Remember though, only appoint because that is the best person for the job - do not discriminate on grounds of sex, race, age, disability, religion, etc.

(C) Iain Williamson 21.11.09

Redundancy

Every time you read the newspaper or turn on your tv and watch the news, you read of more redundancies being announced as the effects of the economic downturn hit again.

Its always sad and nobody can apportion blame. But the thing to be wary of is that for many that just signals the start of their troubles. Unemployment is soaring and looks set to continue growing so the job market becomes ever more competitive - and it is diminishing.

At times like thes you need to get yourself in shape - many companies will help redundant employees with their job search by hiring outplacement companies. My personal experience of outplacement was great and it helped me a lot.

But today, I was helping a very senior manager write a CV and frankly his current CV was atrocious. He had no achievements and it was merely a list of his responsibilities. I won't tell you the name of the outplacement organisation; suffice to say that if I ever need to contract an organisation for outplacement support, they will not be on the short list of providers!!!!

In these times when the market is so competitive, your CV must showcase you to the best it possibly can. That is your sales pitch for getting a job and if it doesn't sell you, then you are not even going to get job interviews never mind job offers.

So get yourself a good CV with a sound record of achievements. And welcome comments on its contents from recruiters - they can help you in your job search so ask them the direct question.

(C) Iain Williamson 20.11.09

The Queens Speech

Well now you know why I don't put money on horses or ever do the lottery?

There I was telling you to put money on a double - George Burley and Gordon Brown to lose their jobs in 2010. And George gets his marching orders early after the debacle in Cardiff.

Anyway today we've seen Gordon Brown lay out, via Her Majesty in the Speech, what the Government wants to do in the time that's left before the General Election. Already many commentators are seeing it as an early election manifesto.

I thought I'd give you the short version of what has been announced today. So here goes:-

1. Financial Services Bill - a clampdown on bankers taking too many financial risks.
2. The Flood and Water Management Bill - gives Councils power to prevent floods.
3. Social Care Bill - the neediest elderly are to get extra home care.
4. Policing, Crime and Private Security Bill - DNA of more sex offenders added to database.
5. Children, Schools and Families Bill - a guarantee of school standards and support for kids that fall behind.
6. Energy Bill - gives OFGEM more powers to act on prices for customers.
7. Digital Economy Bill - set up fund to bring in universal broadband by 2012.
8. Cluster Munitions Prohibition Bill - ratifies international ban on cluster bombs.
9. Fiscal Responsibilty Bill - promise to halve deficit is put into law.

Nothing that looks like employment related but Mr Brown did talk about new measures to combat youth unemployment, including training guarantees and internships for graduates out of work for over 6 months.

So there you have it. Make of it what you will.

Business Views

It has been another difficult week for the UK. Unemployment has risen to 2.46 million with a jobless rate of 7.8%. Gloomy stuff if you are in that queue every fortnight waiting to sign on at the Employment Services Offices. Nonetheless, Jobcentre Plus says there are still job vacancies at any given time.

I'm sure that's right but for many people after working in a well paid job and enjoying a certain standard of living it's difficult to take just any old job. It's not that simple. You need to get your self well prepared for this task of getting that new job.

Yes you might have just had a nice redundancy payout and think that finances are rosy but lets be clear, unless you've win the Euromillions lottery, that money will not last forever. Even the "Magnificent Seven" have only got £6.5 million each!!!! We can only dream .........

And all the reports are saying that this is the longest recession in the UK since records began in the 50's.

And with a General Election just over the horizon, it is hard for anybody who is unemployed to be able to see those green shoots of recovery. And every politician, no matter his or her hue, will tell you that they will help you as long as you put your trust in them and give them your vote when you visit the ballot box.

I'm not here to impose my political opinions on you so just listen to what they say and make your own mind up. Over the next few months I'm sure we'll see lots of pontificating and posing as the whole thing hots up and the Election Day gets close.

We'll get an idea of what's ahead later this week when the last Queens Speech before the election is given this week. What will the Labour Party want to deliver, and what will the opponents say in return?

I can give you some idea as to what's in there. You can look forward to measures against bankers' and their bonuses, consumers being able to take class action suits against rip off banks and credit card companies will be banned from allowing customers to borrow more money than they can afford.

But when you watch it and read all about it, you can be sure that you'll still not be sure which way to vote.

The only thing you will be sure to say is that MP's will still be complaining about their expenses and how they are going to be managed. Even the Speaker, who came to his role, promising reform, appears to have caught the bug with his house expenditure.

Is there anything worth having a bet on at the moment? I think a good double would be George Burley, Scotland football Manager and Gordon Brown, Prime Minister both to lose their jobs in 2010. Oh dear, what was happening with Scotland yesterday? Abysmal beyond belief. Even Jedward would do a better job!!!

(c) Iain Williamson 15 November 2009

Weekend tips for Job Search

It's the weekend and this is a good time to set aside a period and refresh your CV on the job boards where you have placed it. This way recruiters will see your CV before others - essentially it moves it up the list and first thing Monday your name is in front of recruiters eyes. Sounds simple so do it!!!

And you should also look at all the automated emails that you have set up. Make sure that they are still getting you the widest coverage you can get.

If it's been a while since you have had any good leads from them, just change the parameters slightly and see what comes your way.

And this is the time to do some professional reading - you need to keep up to date with whats happening in your field. It could be a newspaper or your professional magazine. Find the one that's best for you. You never know when you will need that bit of information at interview!!! It could be sooner than you think!!!

I have put links to some useful websites for you on this blog site. So please feel free to browse them and use them.

(c) Iain Williamson 6.11.09

Monday

It is the start of the week. Not the weekend yet

Well its been cold and wet today but that job hunt has no knowledge of the weather. Every day feels the same when you don't have to go out of the house and get to work.

But in your job search you must plan what you will do. There's nothing more depressing scouring newspapers, looking at websites, waiting for emails with job interviews and nothing happens.

So plan your tactics for when you will spend time job hunting and importantly when you will do something for you. It might be playing your favourite sport or just reading a book, but whatever it is - make time for yourself and reward yourself.

When I was out of work, I always tried to play golf - it helped me relax and re-energised me for the hard work of finding that job.

Make your timetable and stick to it. That way you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. (c)Iain Williamson 2.11.09

Tips for Finding Work.

Nobody can say they haven’t noticed that there’s a financial crisis around at the moment. Unemployment rates seem to rise every month, employees are asked to take a wage freeze or take on additional responsibilities.

So what do you need to do if you find yourself out of work?

You must use all of the possible resources that are available to you in your search. This includes doing the following:-

1. Register your CV with as many job boards and portals as you can. Make your CV searchable and update it on a weekly basis.

2. On those boards, set up an automated search for the job type that you want. You can generally set the parameters. So the jobs come to you.

3. Register with as many Recruitment Agencies as you want. Send them your CV and then visit them personally. That way they get to see the real you and they will want to actively market you.

4. Review religiously the magazines and other media publications of your profession and keep up to date with what’s happening in your field.

5. Network Network Network. There’s undoubtedly the case that many roles are not advertised so keep your friends, family and old work colleagues close. And there are some well regarded Networking portals you can utilise.

6. Don’t get despondent – You will get that job. It just takes time.

7. Oh and yes, before I forget. Good luck. I'll help you.

8. Plan Plan Plan

(c) iain williamson 1.11.09