The End of Contract Scenario and Your Actions

It's that time again. My current interim contract is coming to a close soon so I need to be making plans. All in all not an easy time and anxiety creeps in. No matter what happens bills need paid and not being in employment is not good on either the financial or psychological front. 

For me it's not a new phenomenon, so I know the timetable of recruitment into roles and I have been proactive and already found another contract. So all is good, fine and dandy.

But even so it has been a frustrating time and again a reminder to me of how volatile the recruitment industry can be. I believe that I have an excellent record of achievement in my career to date, across a number of business sectors, both private and public, in local, national and international organisations. My CV and my Linked In profile speak highly and positively for me (in my humble opinion). I have an extensive list of achievements to be proud of across that time and have many personal recommendations.

In these days of the Internet being all pervading and so powerful in its reach it is still the case that just following a path of applying for jobs via this route is the road to madness. Firstly, there are still a major number of roles that never get to the advert stage. The power of Linked In and your connections will be a help. I got this new role via a connection remembering me and asking me if I'd be interested. In addition, some other HR contracting work that I undertake also came about through an old, in the nicest way, connection.

Secondly, when a role is advertised there is the likelihood that literally there will be hundreds of other suitors applying as well. And if you play the lottery or gamble in any way you will see that the odds are stacking up against you. You do well to get even to interview stage. So my advice here, is that you must not rely on the advertised roles as your only tool in a job search.

When you are getting into the job market again, whether it is because of the end of a contract or as a result of redundancy, it is important that you review your CV and its contents. Make sure that it sells you well - because that is what its task is. Check spelling and even the simple things such as having the correct telephone contact numbers on there. You need the recruiter or the recruiting organisation to be able to get you to invite you to visit them. 

Review again your achievements in your roles. Are they still appropriate or have you more powerful and recent ones that can really sell you? Be ruthless with yourself on this, hard though it might be. Use a friend or colleague to critique it. Remember you probably only get the one chance to impress enough to get the interview. Don't lose it.

You may wish to use the services of a professional CV writer to craft a powerful and strong document for you. Clearly it won't guarantee interviews and job offers for you but it will give you an advantage. Have a look at my website for ABespokeCV .  I'll be happy to help you with your job search activity, whether it be writing a CV, redrafting your current one or supporting you through the interview and selection process. It will be an investment in you that will be well rewarded when you secure the job and career prospects you deserve. I'm happy to have no commitment discussions with you so that you can fully understand what I can do to support you in your employment endeavours.

One of the other frustrations in your job search will be your interactions with Recruitment Agencies and their representatives. It always feels like they return your calls when they need you, but when you need them they are slow to respond. There are very many of these folks who are fantastic at their job and will be excellent allies to you in your job search. Make them your friend and ally and also find the ones you will be happy to represent you to companies. if you don't like them, then don't use them!! Simple really. But you would be foolish not to use them for their range of contacts which inevitably because of the animal that they are will be much wider than you will have.

One of the irritations will be that multiple agencies may well be handling the same job. Sorry but that's business!!! They'll tell you if they have exclusivity, or just ask them. Make sure they have you in their mind when they take a brief from a potential client so they will then call you first. 

Remember though, you must also behave professionally towards them. I had a situation only this week where a potential placement was lost by somebody who mislead the agency. It didn't reflect well on that individual and now I am sure that agent will think twice before considering that person against any roles. Don't cut your nose off to spite your face!!! That individual has lost the respect of a rather large and widespread national organisation.

Let me ponder a bit on the power of Linked In as a support for you in your job search. In my view the jury is out at the moment in terms of what it can do. 

Absolutely it can help your job search in terms of finding out about companies and, indeed, individuals who work there. But as yet I have not experienced a positive outcome to any applications I have made directly to a role, permanent or interim, that has been advertised there. Indeed, I've only ever had one interview as a result of a direct application.

On the other hand, my profile has generated a lot of interest from recruiters. And as I said earlier, these folks are an important strategic tool in any job search. Grow your connection list and one day it will be a fruitful outcome. It only needs one of those connections to come through and as I said earlier my latest venture has come about via that particular route.

As always, thanks for reading my blog and please share it widely. I'm happy to talk further to anybody on future roles or any HR support you or your business may need. Have a read of my Linked In profile and get in touch. All requests for connection will be gratefully accepted.

Happy job hunting.

(c) Iain Williamson 2013

The Spiral of Despair and The Way Out

It's been quite a distressing few days or so in terms of redundancy announcements or companies choosing to go into administration.  You will have read about Jessops, Honda and HMV and I'm sure there are other sad  and disappointing news stories of that ilk around. Any time that somebody loses employment is bad but just after Christmas and New Year when optimism for the future should be at its highest, is even more badly timed.

It's also difficult for somebody who is job seeking when they read these stories. If you're unemployed, all these stories shout out to you that the competition for jobs has just become even more competitive - and that can be even more depressing. Will I ever find a job?   

This is the time when you need to maintain positivity because I am absolutely sure that negativity will show itself through. So when you speak to a recruiter or you're at an interview then you'll not be displaying the vibes that showcase you well - and so you don't sell yourself and don't get that job offer. And you feel that there are no jobs around for you. A spiral of despair.

What can you do? Well the first thing to do is to maintain the confidence in yourself and the skills and competences that you have. Remind yourself of what you achieved in previous roles and use those accomplishments in your job interview.

You should also take solace in the economic reports including this recent one from Reed Global. It basically says that the job market is good for 2013 and should get better. It's the light at the end of the tunnel syndrome and might feel like journalistic licence but it does have substance.

Keep your eyes open for free opportunities on the Internet for help in your job search. There are lots of it around - look on YouTube, look at the main job boards  -  use their free advice. I've recommended him before but I don't apologise for doing it again, but Steve Nicholls is a great fountain of knowledge for you. Here's a link to one of his recent publications  http://www.stevenichollscareercoaching.co.uk/staying-motivated-job-hunting/

The other thing you need to do is to make your job hunting tactics much more refined. Setting up automatic job alerts can be time consuming, but it means that you can get quick access to your job, rather than having to trawl through each job board on a daily basis.

The next thing to do, which saves even more time, is to use a job board such as Indeed. Why Indeed? Well it trawls the Internet and gathers all the adverts into one place. If you're confident enough in it, you can almost even think about just relying on this alone!!!

Of course, you also need to keep in touch with your connections. Massage their ego and remind them you're around. Otherwise, somebody else is doing it and they get that call before you do.

I'm still in my interim role and continuing to look and follow my own preachings. One day it will work, I am sure. There are a few things bubbling along including an opportunity to provide consultancy opportunities which has come via a previous manager I had. There you go, keep up your connections. It does work!!!

As always, thanks for reading and please circulate as widely as possible. My Linked In address can be accessed here and I'd be happy to discuss any potential opportunities at any time.

(C) Iain Williamson 2013

It's not Blue Monday yet but set your goals for 2013

It has been fantastic travelling on the motorway network over the past few weeks. Britain has been on its annual closedown but, being stoic, I've been going to work apart from my birthday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and NewYears Day and enjoying the free flowing journey both to and from work. If only ............ 

But just when you thought it was over - that is Christmas and New Year - I've read that "Blue Monday" is with us. No it's not today which will be the first day back on the commuting trail for most people. It's actually on the third Monday on January 21st. We've not been paid for ages, all the bills need paying and we're still in dark days with the next bank holiday at Easter time. 

There are times in your job search when you feel like every day is a Blue Monday but that's not the way to react or feel. In job search time there feel like lots of knock backs - no matter how often you review job boards, there aren't any jobs for you, recruiters aren't returning calls, it feels like your CV is not working, no interviews are on the horizon, you feel like your skills are stagnating... And you can add to that list as well I'm sure.

The start of any New Year is seen as a good time to review your life in general. People set themselves resolutions and by the second or third week those resolutions have gone by the wayside. Drinking has recommenced, cigarettes are back on the agenda and that diet and the idea of a more active life has skeedaddled off down the road.

For a job seeker though there is really no such thing as a New Year. Reviewing your CV and job search outcomes should be a constant activity. I'm not saying that you change your CV every day but sit back and consider what you have done well. Think about what has brought success. Think about what hasn't worked well. Revise your Linked In profile or get on there if you haven't done that already. Consider whether you want to use other social media outlets.

I might be mad but over the holiday period I was still on alert for my career options. I attended a webinar on job seeking. I'm never complacent - even though I know and understand a lot about the recruitment process, I never stop learning. And importantly for job hunters, there's a lot of free support available for you out there. Just invest the time in yourself and the rewards will come. 

Now that first Monday on the year has arrived and I have no "Blue Monday" reactions. It's just another day for me. But my job search continues and I'll keep up my resolutions for my job search. I'll also remember that if I don't always do what I say I will do in this search, I can start again and never give up till my goal is achieved. For you it needs to be the same. Don't be a failure in your job search, because you can only blame yourself. Set your levels high and go for it.

2013 will be the year when I find the role I want. Absolutely convinced of that. And for you it will be the same. Make it your goal and achieve it.

As always, I ask all readers to share this blog widely and if you want to know more about me then look at my Linked In profile. I'd be happy to talk further with anybody on job opportunities for permanent or interim appointments. My contact details are via Linked in or this blog. Thanks

(C) Iain Williamson 2013

MERRY CHRISTMAS. MERRY CHRISTMAS. MERRY CHRISTMAS. MERRY CHRISTMAS.

This is the educational bit of the blog.

Merry Christmas to you all. No it is not late!!!!!! The Russian Christmas takes place on Monday 7th January so these wishes to all my blog readers are well in time.

(I can't be bothered explaining the difference between UK and Russian Christmas dates for those of you who are confused with all of this).

Suffice to say, me and my Russian wife have yet another bout of celebrating to do. And, I can tell you, Russians know how to celebrate!!!!! Food and drink aplenty.

And then there's the Russian New Year. Sore head or what!!!!

(C) Iain Williamson 2013.

It's that time of the year again

Well 2012 is nearly finished and the New Year of 2013 will soon be upon us.The last few scraps of Christmas turkey are being consumed and the tinsel and the lights are looking a bit tired now. High streets and on-line e-commerce retail outlets are full of consumers scavenging for the best bargains in the sales.

For many people this time of the year is also a time to think about their job and their prospects. The British economy, dependant on who or what you read, is either showing some signs of recovery or is in for the proverbial double dip. And all this leads to unease for the job hunter. 

For those in employment, there's the question "Should I stay or should I go?". (Thanks here to The Clash) For those not in employment, there's the question, when will they say "Heigh Ho". (Thanks here to Disney and very topical don't you think. Don't get Grumpy). 

This time of the year is great for taking the time out and reviewing your options for your career. Read and revise your CV. Update your LinkedIn profile and commit to making contact with your connections. Consider how else you promote yourself on social media. Do you have a presence on Facebook? Do you indulge on Twitter?

All of this comes with a warning. Remember that once information is on-line about you, it can be seen by others - including potential new employers. So be careful and mindful about what is published by you and even about you. Your on-line presence can affect your job opportunities - so be aware of that playful moment in a drunken moment of madness at the Christmas party getting you a history you'd prefer not to have.

Nonetheless, use the new social media opportunities to their utmost. Get your name known widely for positive reasons by actively participating with your professional networks. Use your LinkedIn presence and build knowledge of potential employers and grow your connection list. Write a blog!!!! Use Twitter to get access to roles. Review the recruitment websites you use and invest time with recruiters directly - even be as bold as to massage their ego!!! (You know they love it!!!).

As for me, well I'm coming to the end of my current interim role shortly so will be looking for my next assignment, either permanent or interim. Already, I've secured a HR consultancy role (not full time) but will be looking to add to my portfolio. I'm aware that my background in both private and public sector organisations is highly valued and my strategic and operational competences add fantastic value to my employer and/or clients.

But it's always a difficult time when you have to get on that treadmill to find the job that'll help pay the bills, etc. and so I'll try to follow my own road map to a successful conclusion at an early point in 2013. I need to stay ahead of the game so although I've shared some tips with you, I'm already doing them and more. 

In closing, I'd just like to remind you that I'm happy to speak about any potential opportunities and look forward to working with you. My LinkedIn profile can be seen here and gives you a flavour of my capabilities and where I will add value to your business. Please, circulate this blog widely to your connections and, before I forget, HAPPY NEW YEAR (when it comes).

(c) Iain Williamson 2012

Merry Christmas

Best Wishes to all my Blog readers and 

to all my Linked In Connections 

for the Christmas period and for the New Year.

May 2013 bring you what you wish for you and your family.

Good things come to those who wait

It was a spectacular turnround at Medinah when Europe won the Ryder Cup 2012. Many of us were awake till the early hours watching the celebrations after the unbelievable, but true, outcome. Yet another victory for the Europeans despite all looking like it was lost.

This is a lot like your job search. For hour upon hour, day after day, week after week, you scour the job vacancies and all seems lost or very difficult. But you have to take the spirit of Seve Ballesteros and be sure that it will come right in the end. Never give up. Keep trying and your reward is round the corner.

I've recently heard of several of my connections finding roles after considerable lengthy periods of not much success in their job hunt. And why did they get jobs? Because they never gave up. They believed in themselves, knowing that eventually somebody else would believe in their competences. The spirit of Seve was alive for them.

As for me, well I'm doing an interesting interim role within a public sector organisation which is facing unprecedented levels of change. Its a fascinating role at this time, trying to keep Business As Usual, while the challenges are constantly being posed. 

Of course, my aspiration remains for a full time permanent role and so I keep up my connections with recruiters and trust that one day my Ryder Cup moment will come.

As always here's a link to my profile, so if there's a role you want to discuss then please give me a call or drop me an email. And please feel free to circulate this blog. Thanks.

(C) Iain Williamson 2012