Despite a slight decline of 17,000 in the UK’s unemployment figures this month, with the total unemployed currently at 2.48 million, unemployment levels are still at their highest since 1994. Predictions are (or are not, depending on whose line of thinking you follow) encouraging for the long term, with the OBR forecasting an employment increase of around 900,000 by 2015; bringing us back to pre-recession levels.
However, these forecasted levels are not going to be realised overnight, and there are people who still will find themselves unemployed due to one of many potential factors. So, if you do find yourself facing the predicament of unemployment, how do you maximise your chances of getting your career back on track?
One of the biggest concerns from a potential employer’s perspective is seeing long-term inactivity on a CV. Long periods of time spent unemployed, but more significantly doing nothing, leads to questions over the individual’s drive and determination to succeed. It does not present a particularly favourable image to prospective employers.
You need to make sure you are doing something during this time. Interim work is preferable to that show you are keeping your hand in, and it also offers the added benefit of bringing in an income. My advice would be to firstly register with a reputable agency. Meet your dedicated consultant and explain to them what you are looking for on a permanent basis, but that you are also open to the possibility of interim positions in the meantime.
One of the things to take into account when looking at interim work is the danger of ending up jumping from short-term position to short-term position, which can create a cycle that is very difficult to break. If you are considering taking on interim roles, here are my top tips on managing the transition successfully:
1. Try to take longer-term roles, rather than a couple of weeks here and there. Maternity covers are ideal, primarily around the six-to-nine month opportunities are the ones that you really want to take. They demonstrate commitment to prospective employers and provide you the opportunity to make an impact in the organisation that you can quantify on your CV.
2. Specialist projects are the opportunities that will really add the most value to your CV in the long term. They provide the opportunity to add to your current skill set and further develop your expertise, attracting the eye of potential employers and helping you to stand out from the crowd.
3. Don’t take any old role for the sake of it. You still need to spend a large proportion of your day there and if you can’t tolerate it for any length of time you will move on quickly, which can reflect poorly on your CV.
4. Demonstrate commitment. If you take on an interim role, treat it in the same way that you would a permanent one. Show the same level of focus and commitment and you stand a greater chance of seeing your contract renewed or extended, or even a permanent opportunity offered.
5. Many more organisations are offering the temp-to-perm option at the moment. It is a good way for both parties to obtain a thorough understanding of the other prior to entering into a commitment on a permanent basis, and ideal if you are seeking a permanent position in the long term.
Dan Jones is Manager of the Accountancy & Finance Division and Head of Interim Accountancy at Alexander Lloyd, part of the South East's leading recruitment consultancy for accountants.
I read with interest his article but feel that he should have addressed bigger issues than the narrow objectives from the point of view of an recruiting agency. While he is right that one should be flexible during difficult times but why should there be difficult time in this century. It appears that the developed nations have lost the direction and are leader less at Micro and Macro level. Otherwise UK would not have made such changes in their immigration laws which show that they are waiting for almighty god to improve their economy so in the mean time whatever is there should be for their people. This policy will make people of higher qualification and ability to accept lower level jobs leading to lesser value addition to human being's ability/output.The nation is in the danger of sliding to low output low value nation because the entire generation will be lost.Dan is also suggesting the similar solution and that is not the solution. Solution is in generation of wealth and for that, get people from any where who can start the process of revival because you still have some money left in your pocket. Developed nations must accept the fact that they have no clue. I think it is time they decided the kind of industry they would like to be in future.They should be in innovation, creation of new ideas and higher level of research. You are running out of idea getexperienced people from other countries to teach you how to control cost from the point of view of the consuming nations.
Once you are on revival path it will create jobs.2.48 million unemployment figure is nothing that can be reversed to 2.4 million job requirement in a years time just by making your existing investment to bread.I think Dan should have addressed the larger issues than micro issues.
Dr.Aloke Chakravartty
Posted by: Dr. Aloke Chakravartty,MBA,PhD | May 11, 2011 at 06:14 AM