So good and yet almost unemployable

[Frimley111R]

My wife has been very successful in senior credit management positions and then switched to negotiating the sale of companies and outperformed everyone in our company but left for another job which turned out to be a nightmare and so left.

Since then it seems shes unemployable. Recruitment consultants say she's too long out of credit control to get back into even a mid level role and wouldn't be considered for a lower role, there aren't many M&A jobs out there and it'll be a month before things begin picking up in the overall job market. Its amazing how someone so good can be 'unemployable'.

Edited by Frimley111R on Thursday 18th August 14:11

[stevieb]

111R YHPM

Edited by stevieb on Thursday 18th August 13:59

[rog007]

I suspect 'unemployable' is a little strong. What she may be experiencing is attempting to simply pick up where she left off? Things and people move on so quickly, it's easy to not fully appreciate this. With a liitle patience, some networking and a sprinkling of good luck, she is sure to find something.

[Soovy]

Her problem is that she jumped ship and it didn't work out.

She'll always be trumped by someone who's been in their previous place for a few years.

[Frimley111R]

Yep, 'unemployable' is a bit strong but I sit here thinking 'She's outperformed everyone she's ever worked with, there are people who only sold their company through our company because of her, very senior business people think she's outstanding, she should be able to walk into a job and yet...it seems nigh on impossible. So frustrating.

[windman2011]

you may also find that managers recruiting somebody who is high performing feel threatened. What if they come in and blow them out the water with new ideas and methods. Self preservation is the number one priority for managers in my experience even if that means letting a good CV slip by.

[stevieb]

windman2011 said:

you may also find that managers recruiting somebody who is high performing feel threatened. What if they come in and blow them out the water with new ideas and methods. Self preservation is the number one priority for managers in my experience even if that means letting a good CV slip by.

But isnt the art of being a good maanger is bring in staff that may be better than you but trusting them not to screw you over! (Mutual Respect and all that!)

[amir_j]

Frimley111R said:

Recruitment consultants say she's too long out of credit control to get back into even a mid level role and wouldn't be considered for a lower role,

Recruitment companies are idiots. If they are not putting her forward is your wife also applying directly to companies?

[prand]

Frimley111R said:

Yep, 'unemployable' is a bit strong but I sit here thinking 'She's outperformed everyone she's ever worked with, there are people who only sold their company through our company because of her, very senior business people think she's outstanding, she should be able to walk into a job and yet...it seems nigh on impossible. So frustrating.

Don't underestimate the fact she's not currently in employment now. However good you are, if you chose, or were made to leave a job, people are suspicious of that.

As someone mentioned above - often the best jobs come from people you know. If she's so good, I'm sure old colleagues, clients, suppliers or other contacts woudl be been impressed enough to offer her something.

Again, if she's so brilliant, then she ought to be able to turn her hand to something less related to her old role, so be prepared to be flexible and look at long term goals instead of trying to do something that looks like a perfect fit.

[windman2011]

amir_j said:

Recruitment companies are idiots. If they are not putting her forward is your wife also applying directly to companies?

I'll echo this, whoever came up with the idea of adding 'consultant' to the job role was having a laugh. The number of calls I have had from so called recruitment consultants that haven't even read my CV, just the short profile at the top. Most of them are arts graduates who couldn't find a job who went in to 'recruitment' because it sounds nice. They are just commission chasing monkeys, yet to meet / speak to one who I felt had genuinely considered my CV and wasn't still wet behind the ears.

[Simon Brooks]

Have been in and around recruitment for 30+ years and wouldn't dream of sending a cv to a client without reading it and understanding the capabilities of the individual concerned. Bit of a sweeping generalisation to label all recruitment consultants as commission chasing monkeys. Maybe lower down the food chain there is an element of any cv will do, however anyone with half a clue wouldn't want to upset the client by sending cv's/interviewees that aren't suitably qualified and experieinced for the position

[spikeyhead]

Frimley111R said:

Yep, 'unemployable' is a bit strong but I sit here thinking 'She's outperformed everyone she's ever worked with, there are people who only sold their company through our company because of her, very senior business people think she's outstanding, she should be able to walk into a job and yet...it seems nigh on impossible. So frustrating.

Then get her to talk to these people and have them create a role for her.

[Snoggledog]

windman2011 said:

I'll echo this, whoever came up with the idea of adding 'consultant' to the job role was having a laugh. The number of calls I have had from so called recruitment consultants that haven't even read my CV, just the short profile at the top. Most of them are arts graduates who couldn't find a job who went in to 'recruitment' because it sounds nice. They are just commission chasing monkeys, yet to meet / speak to one who I felt had genuinely considered my CV and wasn't still wet behind the ears.

Sadly, all to often that's true.

Simon Brooks said:

Have been in and around recruitment for 30+ years and wouldn't dream of sending a cv to a client without reading it and understanding the capabilities of the individual concerned. Bit of a sweeping generalisation to label all recruitment consultants as commission chasing monkeys. Maybe lower down the food chain there is an element of any cv will do, however anyone with half a clue wouldn't want to upset the client by sending cv's/interviewees that aren't suitably qualified and experieinced for the position

IMHO, there are three types of agencies.

1) Large 'brand name' global agencies who do a keyword search across their DB and spam mail / call anyone who has that phrase in their CV.

2) Small (with usually less than 5 offices globally) agencies who take the trouble to read your CV before calling / mailing. Usually nice to deal with as you get to know them on a first name basis.

3) 1 man band or single office agencies. Usually manage niche jobs and are happy to meet up for a beer to find out more about you.

I'm guessing that you're either in category 2 or 3 in which case you're likely to be one of the good guys.

Frimley... The trick here is to find the right agencies to speak to. This will take a lot of patience as probably 9 out of 10 agencies fall into the first category and the smaller ones aren't that visible on the intermeweb. I'd suggest a trawl through LinkedIn and specialist webpages to try to find the good ones. It took me about 2 years to build up a good list of reliable agencies.

[Simon Brooks]

Spot on, i used to fall into number three, albeit not a one man band outfit, I totally agree that you should look for a smaller agency to help and avoid the high street outfits. Might be an idea to find out which agencies in your area who specialise in your wife's particular field.

Good luck

[Mojocvh]

windman2011 said:

you may also find that managers recruiting somebody who is high performing feel threatened.

^^^^zen, and the fine art of cv balance.

Tell me about it.

[TurricanII]

I am surprised the usual suggestion has not surfaced - can she start up on her own selling consultancy, credit control services etc.

With that kind of work I guess you can pretty much work from a phone/laptop/email. Meetings on client's sites or coffee shops.

Could she offer credit control services to businesses one day per week/fortnight for in the region of £300 per month?

[Frimley111R]

windman2011 said:

you may also find that managers recruiting somebody who is high performing feel threatened. What if they come in and blow them out the water with new ideas and methods. Self preservation is the number one priority for managers in my experience even if that means letting a good CV slip by.

Yes, there has definately been an elements of that from past interviews. Whilst in reality they should be grabbing her with both hands (figuritively!) most companies work on a 'relaxed' basis and a real 'driver' is a shock to them. She's not some scary power mad woman, just one who comes across as very provessional and capable and that scares some people.

[Frimley111R]

Snoggledog said:

Frimley... The trick here is to find the right agencies to speak to. This will take a lot of patience as probably 9 out of 10 agencies fall into the first category and the smaller ones aren't that visible on the intermeweb. I'd suggest a trawl through LinkedIn and specialist webpages to try to find the good ones. It took me about 2 years to build up a good list of reliable agencies.

Yep, she's getting into Experteer, the Ladders, etc. The sites that have higher level vacanies now.

[Frimley111R]

TurricanII said:

I am surprised the usual suggestion has not surfaced - can she start up on her own selling consultancy, credit control services etc.

With that kind of work I guess you can pretty much work from a phone/laptop/email. Meetings on client's sites or coffee shops.

Could she offer credit control services to businesses one day per week/fortnight for in the region of £300 per month?

It has and she tried this but for her the real draw is for the corporate world. It takes a long time to get going properly with a new busines venture and having to go back to scratch and begin all over again, whatever the log term benefits, didn't appeal enough in the end which is a shame as I know she could really be successful.

[IainT]

spikeyhead said:

Then get her to talk to these people and have them create a role for her.

This was my first thought too.

My wife has recently been working on recruiting her replacement - private PA to HNW people - having handed in her notice. They were at final interview stage and had told the agencies not to send through any more candidates. A girl had contacted one of the agencies about this job and was told it's too late. She used her brain and tenacity and was able to get her CV to my wifes employers.

She starts the job in two weeks time.

Agencies are really useful but getting your CV out to key employers can really pay dividends as can working around the agencies. If the industry area is small enough you can usually work out who a recruitment is for.

Companies love not paying the recruitment fees.