Thank You Supporters

It is coming up for a month now since my last interim role finished when the business was placed into administration. Certainly the job market is not as buoyant as I would wish but, as always, I remain positive. The role for me will come soon. There are a few things on the go but I'd certainly prefer more.

I wanted to take this time to thank all of my connections and supporters for their help so far. I'm very happy with the advice and support so far. Unfortunately we've not yet hit the home run yet but it is only a matter of time - I remain convinced of that.

Talking to my connections on LinkedIn, it seems a common theme that the Easter break has slowed down the market and, of course, this is the end of the financial year so businesses have spent the last of their money for this year. The second excuse feels a bit hollow in the respect that surely there are ways of allocating the money to the new financial year. In any case the new employee will probably not start this side of the April deadline.

I referred to these roadblocks in a previous blog and understand that they are not something that I can change. So I just have to get on with it.

It is clear to me that my connections, on the whole, have a real interest in helping me. I have been astounded, in a very positive way, that fellow HR professionals who might be in competition with me for roles are also willing to help. I have had lots of leads passed my way. Those of you who have done this for me deserve an even bigger pat on the back.

But I still need your support and would ask that you spread the word even more and circulate my profile and keep me in mind when or if something that might be of interest comes up.

And although I am making this plea on my behalf, we all should think of and support our fellow colleagues who are currently job searching. It's a good feeling to help others and it's even better to get a thank you from them when it is a fruitful outcome to the interaction.

For all of you, I have set my connections on LinkedIn for you to view - if you wish to contact any of them then please feel free to use me as your conduit. I ask only one thing in return - mention me in any conversation or discussions.

(C) Iain Williamson 2012

Feeling Rejected?

One of the outcomes of being out of work is that you have to deal with rejection. Of course, it's easy to feel that you have been rejected because you have lost your job through redundancy or the business has gone into administration, or whatever reason. The point here is that you have probably had little or no option on this happening and for some people they take it as a personal insult. And unfortunately at the moment, with the UK economy still being very much in flux, this type of situation is becoming more prevalent for people.

It certainly is not that. 

And then you get more and more feelings of rejection. The job market is very competitive in all sectors and in all roles. So when somebody applies for a role, and puts their head on the block, there is another opportunity for rejection. Statistically you are more likely not to get the job than be offered it.

So in job search terms, I try not to get ahead of myself and think that a job is secure until the offer is made. Of course, I get disappointed if I'm successful but never to the point of depression. 

I'll always try to find out why I have not been appointed and reflect on my performance at interview. Could I have done anything different? Could I have presented myself differently? Was the decision made on something that I could not change no matter what?

It is more difficult to understand when I don't get an interview when, to all intents and purposes, I fit the bill in all respects. But then I reconcile it with the probable knowledge that there were lots of applicants and it was a difficult decision, etc. More importantly for my sanity, I also think it is their loss and not mine. The job I deserve and want is always round the corner.

The target is to find the correct corner!!!!

So a message for my fellow job seekers - 

• Don't get into despair. 
• Your career record will sell you.
• Prepare well for your interviews when they come.
• Ask why you did not get a role and reflect on the answers you get.
• Keep up with your contacts and network, network, network.
• Keep up with your professional knowledge.

Is there anything that you can pass on to your fellow job seekers?

I always keep myself upbeat about my prospects. I know my career history is a significant sell for me. And I always try to support others although still being selfish for myself, my wife and my family. Does that make sense?

Feel free to pass this blog onto your network and add comments. The more the merrier.

(c) Iain Williamson 2012

Monday Blues, Tuesday Blues etc.

The Monday morning blues are well known by employers when staff want to extend their weekend and cultivate a life threatening illness that means they cannot get to work that day. And it's a real pity that even with a very warm late March and pre-Easter that the member of staff has the sniffles and flu and will need to stay at home in bed!!!!

We all know the above scenario and as HR Managers we should know how to manage such situations and ensure the member of staff is treated appropriately. Remember the old phrase, all sickness is genuine!!!! But some sickness is more genuine than others.

Why am I bleating on about Mondays and sickness and it's Tuesday? Well, when you are seeking your next role, you cannot afford to be sick or want to take the day off. Every moment of your "working" day, your thoughts revolve around where is the next appointment and it can't come quick enough.

In my last role, I had a fantastic group of people to work with and really enjoyed their company. But I am sure they would all recognise that I put in a lot of hours in the day, worked hard and achieved lots. I used to leave the house at about six in the morning every weekday and might not get home until after seven in the evening. Long days!!! But that is work and a job.

In a job search, it is important to keep yourself on track and without deflection keep up with the latest vacancies and with your network. That in itself is a full time job. It would be too easy to watch Sky Sports or Deal or No Deal or, God forbid, Jeremy Kyle and not pay attention to the jobs of the day.

It is important to think 9 to 5 and make it your "job". That way your reward, your "salary" is your new role when it arrives. And the more work you put in, the more likely the new role arrives.

(c) Iain Williamson 2012

Employment Search Metrics

Friday is a typical day, when in employment, to review what you have achieved this week and start to consider what you will do next week - diary commitments not withstanding.

When I'm looking for a job it's actually no different. I consider my job hunt in exactly the same way -  it's about being professional and doing the right things, only this time I am working for a very personal business - Myself.

It's hard to put together metrics like you would if you had a real job but I think I need to have some targets to measure myself and be agile enough to adjust them as and when necessary. Talking to a colleague this morning we were reflecting on how important it was to reflect on achievements during the week but not to forget that the real measurement is the job offer and the start of employment.

But there must be more ways to measure performance in the job search world?

For me they can be broken down into two distinct areas with one that I can influence and the other is one that is dependent on others.

I reflected earlier this week that embarking on a job search was akin to a full time job. So an easy measure for me to reflect and measure is how much have I done this week in that job search.

• Yes - I spent a significant number of hours each day this week on my job search.
• Yes - I applied for a significant number of roles.
• Yes - I refreshed my CV on the job boards where it is currently held. A good tip for all job seekers to do because remember the job board works like an in-tray for a recruiter and you always want your CV at the top; i.e. first to be reviewed.
• Yes - I spoke to many of my connections.
• Yes - I have grown my connections on Linked In and more reviews of my profile have been occurring  which might lead on to offers of further discussions.
• Yes - I completed my Blog on a daily basis and have seen its followers grow.
• No - I could do more of all of the above so that will be something I work on for next week.

I can influence all of these and work on them and measure my success.

The measures that I cannot effect are as follows:-

• The number of vacancies advertised and unadvertised.
• The location of these roles.
• The level of the roles.

But as time progresses, I will need to consider my approach to these areas. It's not an easy decision to relocate or take a lower salary but at a point it may need to be considered.

An obvious measure, which I have deliberately not mentioned until now is - interview rate and job offer rate. I need to consider my approach to my job search so that I can get more interviews in the bag. 

In summary, I am happy with progress but as always in situations like this it is far too slow. Maybe it is meant to be that way but I would prefer to be doing something rather than nothing (although I am obviously very busy!!!).

Next week is another week and I remain upbeat about my job search and will continue to review its progress. I'll reward myself with golf at the weekend and maybe some football on TV (particularly early Sunday afternoon) when a league might be won!!!

As always comments are welcome. Feel free to add your views. It is a democracy here.

(c) Iain Williamson 2012

Roadblocks or challenges? Can you help others?

Looking for a job is an all consuming exercise and can be frustrating when it feels like you're getting nowhere fast. Today it felt like one roadblock appeared after another.

I looked at the vacancies on the job boards and the vacancies coming through on Linked In and it just seemed that the vast percentage were southern based roles with little or nothing Birmingham or Northwards. I know the M1 and M6 are difficult trips at the best of times but this feels like one hell of a roadblock.

Then when I was having catch-ups with recruiters and other contacts another roadblock appeared. It seems that the market is slowing down pre-Easter and in the close down to the financial year, so no roles are getting signed off by business.

And then another roadblock - it appears that the level of role I'm looking for is not as available as other levels, particularly at lower salary levels. 

And then another roadblock - some sectors, in this candidate rich market, are being highly specific and restrictive in their requests that the new potential employee absolutely must have experience in the sector. No exposure equals no interview.

For me, these are not roadblocks at all but merely challenges that need to be taken up and overcome. I have an answer for all of these roadblocks if people care to listen to me. And these are answers for all job seekers.

Of course, I could consider moving location but that's a big decision not taken lightly and I might need to speak to my better half before I take this route.

The roadblock of Easter and financial year end won't last forever and indeed it gives me a chance to do more sourcing of opportunities.

I can see that salary level is a bit of an issue but not one that cannot be overcome - what are the other benefits attached to the role and the business that might make me consider taking a salary at a lower level? This is the challenge.

As for the sector specific roadblock? Well I can't change their mind even though I firmly believe they are wrong. Indeed, when I look at my career which has encompassed both private and public sector organisations and really quite varied business, from the global to the local, I know that I can show any employer, in any organisation, that I can do the job for them. No problem!!!

And there lies the solution. There are no roadblocks in my job search. Only challenges for me to work on and for me and my supporters to resolve. 

My request is for a resolution sooner rather than later. In terms of my current situation there are a few things on the go at the moment and fingers crossed something happens sooner rather than later. I'm getting bored and my golf handicap isn't coming down.

I also heard from a contact of mine today who is moving from a role straight into an interim role with a local council - so congratulations to her. It shows to me the power of persistence and she deserves it. And it also proves that Linked In and direct approaches work.

It also makes me think of all the folks from my time at The Webb Group which went into administration recently. At least I'm used to the perils of finding the next role because I've been working in interim positions so I know that I've got to be on the look out for the next position. Many of them might not have been prepared for what happened and not even have the online presence or an up to date CV or the agency contacts.

Some of these folks might not be in as good a mindset as me, so if any of you readers can help them then please do so. Their details will be in my Linked - In connections. Lots of people with lots of skill sets - available now. Help them overcome their challenges.

(c) Iain Williamson 2012

Reality Time

It was that day today when reality hits home and you remember vividly what work was like. Not only does it remind you about the things you were dealing with at work. Not only does it remind you about the people you worked with and you think about how they are getting on. Not only does it remind you about the fact that you used to get a wage.

What on earth is he rambling on about? Has he gone mad finally? 

No, of course not. But today was my first time for signing on at the Job Centre. A remarkable building that says it's a Job Centre but it doesn't actually have a job for you. Admittedly the Direct.Gov website might have one!!!

I had to fill out my form telling them what actions I had been taking to find work in my profession. And guess what - only a cursory look at it and sign here Mr Williamson and you will get your money into your account probably Monday!!!

It was just another reminder for me that no matter how much work I am doing to find a job, I need to do more. More job board reviews, more calls to recruiters, more reviews of businesses through Linked In and more discussions with people that can help and support me in this search.

The weeks go by so quickly and all of a sudden we're nearly at the end of another week and nothing has come through yet. Not for the lack of trying but I just have to do more. I told you before, this job searching lark is a full time job and more.

(c) Iain Williamson 2012

Hit rates

It seems to have been a day where recruiters have been emailing me their "regret" letters. So it's been a bit of a "bad" day in that respect and it got me thinking about my CV and its contents and wondering if I need to change its contents. Of course, not to tell lies about my experience or achievements, but to try to get a bigger hit rate in terms of being invited to interview.

I have some experience of writing CV's for others but find it difficult to be self critical. I hear myself saying the same things that clients say to me when I talk to them. "I can't write about myself so need you to do it for me" they say.

And now I'm having to consider how do I sell myself? What is my brand? What are my achievements? Where and how have I added value? How do I hit that target more often and get more interviews?

I don't want to continually change my CV for every role that I apply for - that seems like a route to disaster. I know from professional experience of interviewing candidates who clearly have been talking to the wrong CV at interview because they can't remember what they wrote.

But I think I can possibly have two CVs - one for applying to permanent roles and one for interim roles. That seems like a potential option. They are two different targets and therefore can be addressed differently.

For an interim role, it feels like the idea would be describe in more details the achievements in my roles and make them live for the recruiter.

For a permanent role, it still needs achievements but there also needs to be a reflection of the businesses where I have operated and the commercial knowledge I have acquired.

Plus in these days of the social media, recruiters can also look at your on-line presence. So I will need to look at my Linked In profile and make sure it reflects me well.

So I have decided to seek silk on this matter and talk to some trusted colleagues and ask their opinion. Apologies if I don't speak to you direct but you can always leave a comment here if you should wish or email me directly.

(c) Iain Williamson 2012