Behind the good news of some businesses experiencing uplift in Sales and Aftersales activity at present, realistically the Automotive sector is facing a swathe of redundancies with unemployment figures unprecedented, certainly in my experience of working in Recruitment and Executive Search over many years.
So, here are some tips on how to prepare for those trying to find their way to new employment, self-employment or interim management over the forthcoming months.
- Your CV and LinkedIn profile should be outstanding, accurate, honest and engaging not just acceptable.
- Invest in having this prepared professionally by a reputably Consultancy who knows the sectors you are trying to target.
- Analyse what you are good at, not necessarily what you have done, and ensure these skills are highlighted in a brief statement at the top of your CV.
- Network with people who will help you access employment and give you sound advice.
- Only apply for roles that are ideally suited to your skills, location, cultural fit and working strengths.
- Ask the question “Why should this company invest in me rather than someone else?”
- Analyse how you can bring added value to an organisation. In the current economic climate, it is likely you will be taking on additional responsibility or possibly two roles. Embrace and welcome this challenge.
- Those in senior more highly paid roles may need to adjust their both their career and financial expectations in the short to medium term.
- Have a Plan A and Plan B. If you cannot find employment, what else are you going to do? Examine self-employment options, skills and abilities you have that could form a small business model of your own. Be prepared to re-invent yourself.
- Be practical. Look locally for businesses needing immediate assistance. Relocation and long notice periods are a real negative for employers at the moment.