Yes, officially we are in a recession, there’s a credit crunch and employers are feeling the pinch.
This news follows a gloomy report by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) earlier this month which predicted that up to 300,000 jobs would be axed by 2011 as the economy goes into reverse.
Employment lawyers and legal helplines are reporting a sharp rise in businesses seeking advice on how to sack staff, suggesting a further surge in redundancies may be on the way.
Allianz, the insurance group, says its legal helpline Lawphone last month received a record number of calls seeking advice on redundancy issues.
More than a third of calls received by the helpline were about employment issues, compared with just 2.4 per cent in the same month last year, it said. Employment lawyers are also reporting a rise in businesses seeking advice on redundancies as trading conditions have deteriorated over the summer.
So if you are in the unfortunate position of being redundant, and you’re looking for a new job, how are you going to go about it?
Getting your CV right first time is of prime importance, and understanding your personal strengths will be a necessity.
You can upload your CV to numerous websites, and with keywords, search for roles that are suitable.
At the end of the day, you mustn’t forget the ‘hidden job market’ [yes, that’s still there] – and networking. Networking is the best way to meet new contacts who have contacts who may know of opportunities or of people who could open doors for you.
Look out for networking events wherever you live. Use our new widget on the right to find events near you!
There are many networking groups around including BNI, BRE, Breakfast for Business, First Friday, Success in Sussex, 1230, WNC and websites that encourage networking, eg: ecademy, Business Scene, Linked In. And if used discerningly, even Facebook can help.
Online networking can be fun, a useful way to share experiences and ask for support. It can make the job search a little easier and less of a lonely affair. Good luck!
