Jobs threat as Threshers hits trouble
Berrows Journal
OFF-LICENCE staff are at threat of redundancy after the collapse of the company paying their wages. First Quench Retailing runs eight stores in south …

Part-time RIR soldiers win case
BBC News
More than 1000 part-time soldiers who took a case against the Ministry of Defence over pension and redundancy rights have won £6.7m in compensation. …

Redundancy insurance terms ‘unfair’
Financial Times
But claims on the redundancy element of the cover are being turned down by insurers because of a controversial exclusion relating to a policyholder becoming …

Ninety jobs are to go at dockyard
BBC News
The firm says the cuts are being made to help make the site more efficient and it hopes to make the reductions through voluntary redundancy. …

Turning Redundancy into Business Success
The Franchise Magazine
But he turned the situation round to his advantage by using his redundancy payment to invest in his own business. Mark invested in a franchise with Chemex …

It was messy, un-productive and very leaky as my uncompleted list crossed more than one sheet, one half of which would get lost and I’d end up losing half of my plans.

Since then I have gotten better at managing my to-dos, but it has been a slow process of successes and failures.  While I wouldn’t dare to describe my techniques as being anywhere near perfect, I do think I have learnt quite a lot over the years.  So here are my Top 5 tips for Daily Planning.

1. Choose a system

There are so many to-do list styles, productivity strategies and task management plans that it can be really quite confusing.  But it is definitely worth the effort to do some research.  I’m a great fan of Getting Things Done (GTD) as developed by David Allen, but this may not be to your taste.  Do some searches, read some blogs about productivity such as LifeHack (http://www.lifehack.org/), Black Belt Productivity (http://blog.blackbeltproductivity.net/), LifeHacker (http://lifehacker.com/) and Zen Habits (http://zenhabits.net/).

2. Don’t be afraid of changing

I feel quite happy with what I like to call my version of GTD, it’s just me taking some of the elements that I’ve felt comfortable to adopt and not using the elements that I have been too lazy to take on!  But I do change it around quite often, something which I had previously felt bad about.

There are times when doing my daily planning in one way works perfectly well, but then a month later it no longer drives or inspires me so I alter it around to something that works better for me at the time.

And then later I revert back.  The important thing is not to be rigid in your style but to feel ok about changing it to something that works better for you at the time.  It’s about getting things done and making progress, not rigidly adhering to a set of principles.

3. Keep a single list somewhere – electronically

One of the most annoying aspects of my attempts at productivity over the years was that I wrote things down.  Now this in itself isn’t a bad thing at all.  However it leads to task vanishing when pages and then whole notepads get filled, or lost, and not everything gets moved across.

It is also very easy to lose track of things relating certain projects as keeping written-down tasks in project order is very time-confusing.

So find a way of keeping everything you want to do in one place, electronically, and in a way that you can categorise.  I like Things on the Mac and iPhone as the synchronizing between the two means I can access my list anywhere, but again do some research to find out what is best for you.

4. Do it at night

I have found that if I spend a short time at night at the very least identifying some goals for the next day, I am much faster to get started and more productive.  The night before planning has my hopes of what I can achieve the next day, mingled in with the knowledge of what I have done that day.

Planning first thing in the morning is never as successful for me as my mind is generally not as sharp until mid-morning so I delay getting a good start to the day.

5. Review the day

Not only look at your plans for the next day, but spend a few moments evaluating the day honestly.  It’s not just all about the number of items ticked off, it’s about the worth of those items.

Have you done well – then admit that.  If not, then let the next day’s plans be both realistic and ambitious.

——-

Whether you are looking for a new job, or starting your own business, daily planning can help you on the way to success.

So it would be great if you can keep an eye on the job-market while you are on the move, or give yourself chance to keep your name in people’s minds when you meet them while networking, etc. 

Well we’ve taken a look at some iPhone applications that should help you do just that!  Search for them on Apple’s App Store.

LinkedIn

 - LinkedIn is probably best described as the Facebook for business – it’s the place where your jobs are what is important.  Colleagues can give you recommendations, and vice versa, a process which can help when you connect with recruitment agencies online.  The iPhone app is however very limited, allowing you to see user updates for your network, view details of people both in and outside your network as well as update your own status.  This is a very basic subset of what you can do via LinkedIn.  However it is worth downloading to keep up-to-date with colleagues and agencies who may list available positions, and to let them know what you are doing/looking for.

Evernote

 - I love Evernote – it fulfills so many needs for me, despite really just being a place to store info.  The brilliant thing about it is that you can access and add or edit information via so many interfaces.  For job-hunting it is the perfect place to keep details of job applications, phonecalls with agents/potential employers.  Get the iPhone App and an Evernote account and start getting a handle on your multi-facted jobhunt. 

Now Hiring

 - While job sites are not necessarily that difficult to view or browse on an iPhones web browser, it’s much nicer to have everything quick and tidy without any extraneous information.  That is where Now Hiring comes in.  The app lets you choose from a number of countries to search in and then you can search based on job title, keywords or company name, along with a location.  The listings are quick and clear and then take you through to the original web listing.  It’s not a full-service app, you can’t easily apply or keep a list of what you have looked at/applied for, but it is well worth keeping on your iPhone.

JobFinder

 - In terms of what it is trying to do, JobFinder Lite is very similar to Now Hiring, but it lacks some of the smooth ease of use.  When you do a search the results are accessed via another menu button, and while the display of the job details is nicely sectioned you can get in a little scroll trouble if a description is larger than its box, requiring it’s own scrolling!  But for the price its worth a try.

Job Search Coach

 - This is mainly aimed at the US market (with the talk of Resumes for example) but the advice contained can be useful for most people.  The hints and tips for applying, interview technique and more is displayed quickly and cleanly without anything too fancy.  There is a community section where people can leave info about their application and interview experiences based on location and company – however it is purely US-based so isn’t as useful as it could be. 

Let us know what Apps you use for jobhunting in the comments section.

But that doesn’t mean that they can’t help in lots of ways.  They can be a great source of support, allowing you to forget about your situation for a while.  They may also be good to bounce ideas off, or even to gain new ideas.  Friends also have other friends and work colleagues – so maybe it’s time to utilise these connections for that hated buzzword “networking”.

The quickest and easiest way of doing this is to make sure you are connected online via the major social networking sites.  Top of the list is probably Facebook purely because of its huge reach – it may not have a business/professional focus but it can quickly garner you a lot of contacts.

LinkedIn is a networking site that is much more focused towards the business and professional life and is perfect to gather both your friends off Facebook but also many employment agencies have representatives on the site.  You can also find a discussion group on LinkedIn that is relevant to your type of job where you may be able to gain more contacts.

Other social networking sites are about but the above two are probably the best to start with.

1. Profile Information.  So log-on and complete as much profile information as possible on both sites, it is a pain to have to do it but it makes a much better impression to those who look at your profile.
2. Find Groups. This is particularly relevant to LinkedIn as many industry groups have members who are agencies specialising in that area.  So join the groups, have a read through what they discuss and get involved if you think it is relevant – let your expertise impress people!
3. Always Respond. If you get a message from someone on either site then do respond, e-mail and social networking sites have made people very used to quick contacts, if you wait a few days to respond then your response may no longer be relevant.
4. Keep updated.  Let people know what you are doing – but keep it relevant to the site.  Yes on Facebook you can let people know you are off to the gym, but on sites like LinkedIn then focus on the work you are doing/looking for.  And keep doing it – the more you are in people’s consciousness online, the bigger chance they will think of you if something comes along.

It can be quite a slog to keep going when everything seems against you – when even the chance of being able to send out a CV seems unlikely given the jobs on offer, when opportunities are few and far between to get bits and pieces of work, when sickness or other demands on your time throw you out of the loop.

Being unemployed and going nowhere can be totally demoralising.

Unfortunately this is one of the times when a lack of job and being demoralised go hand in hand in a vicious downward spiral. Any initial feelings of freedom and being in control of your own destiny after redundancy can come in for quite a battering if you haven’t been able to make a chance to your circumstances.

Well folks, if this is you, it stops here.

Get out of your routine, make some new challenges, take some time to exercise, listen to your favourite music and lose yourself in it, or make plans to relax with friends. You just need to recharge your batteries somehow, take a breather.

Having a job isn’t the be-all and end-all of this life. Whatever it is you do with your life, if you feel stuck and downtrodden, then stop for a while. It’ll make a change. Do it and then get on with making the life you want.

Babu Basu is a freelance writer and creator of adverts, articles and web content. As a fellow ‘redundant’, he picked himself up, dusted himself down, and set up babubasu.com

Mine’s the company Porsche.

Want to start your own company? Are you sure? Are you sane?

I admit it. I’ve been seduced by Dragon’s Den.

Seduced by the unfeasibly expensive cars. Intoxicated by impeccable clothes and emotionally hi-jacked by that hovering helicopter. The message of the show is clear, start a company, work damn hard and watch the money roll in.
Erm…

I set up my own freelance writing company in 2008. It has been the best and worst thing I have ever done.
Having your company is like being a parent.

You lie awake at night worrying how the company will prosper. Are you giving it the right start in life? Can you protect it from bad people?  What happens when it grows up?

Like parenting, running your own business eats into your free time, day and night.

Granted, I’m not changing nappies or bottle feeding, but stress and deadlines keep me awake. My head is often buzzing with ideas, worries, wisdom. It’s hard to switch off.

Parents spending time away from children are consumed with guilt. I’m the same with my businesses. How can I possibly leave it by itself, defenceless, cold and hungry?

But, it’s not all tears and fears.

Having something/someone to look after can be an incredible privilege.

You learn a lot.

If you’re prepared to make mistakes (and you will make them) the learning will take you places you never thought possible. You spot opportunity and develop great instincts. (After you’ve been burnt a few times, you learn to stay away from the fire, or at least turn it down).

You’re in control.

Working for others can be frustrating if you are limited by your role. Start your own company and suddenly you have TOTAL CONTROL. You are now the Finance Department, HR, Marketing, Security. YOU ARE EVERYTHING.
Scary yes, rewarding, you bet!

And if you are now no longer having to go through that routine then it can be such a wonderful relief.  You are free!!

However you may want to make your own routine….  I know, I know I’m a kill-joy!

The best way to make sure that you either get back into employment, or have the chance to break-out and build the working life you want, then you need to be organised and focused.

So getting a routine is probably a good idea.  And that can be anything you want – as long as it encompasses what you are trying to do.  You should also make sure it covers both any other responsibilities you may have taken on since being made redundant, but also some exercise.

Exercise is the best way to give you the energy and enthusiasm, and positive outlook, to keep you moving towards your goals.  When it comes to interview you want to be seen as alive and energetic, which isn’t easy if you have spent the last few days getting up late, watching TV and firing off a few CVs.

What’s my routine?  Well I set the alarm to wake me up at 6.45am, though this varies a bit, to give me time to have breakfast, read the paper and check out emails before having a wash and dressing.  I am then usually ready to start my “work” at 9am.

My “work” is trying to move forward with ideas, apply for jobs and do stuff that needs to be done.  Not something I get paid for, but generally all important nonetheless.

I break up the day into 90 minutes working, followed by 30 minutes of exercise/coffee breaks, with an hour for lunch.  That seems quite comfy doesn’t it?  But I also do stuff in the evening, and sometimes late into the night – so making time during the day for breaks away from the computer is important.

Have a think and get some freedom with your own routine!

The last three or four times when I have kicked off a job-hunt, either through choice or necessity, I have had the exact same things happen every time.

It all starts when I put my CV live on a number of the online jobsites.  Within 24 hours I am being pretty much deluged with calls, I do not say that as a boast as I think it is much more to do with suddenly appearing at the top of searches made by recruitment agencies, marking me out as a new job-seeker.

So I can get 20-30 calls from agencies within a day, some of which I have answered, others which I miss and they leave voicemails.  Even when unemployed it is quite difficult to keep up with such a quantity, and when still employed it becomes completely unmanageable.

So things get missed out, I fail to call some people back, give up on others if I don’t get hold of them when returning their calls.  Basically potential jobs have slipped through my fingers.  And even the ones I speak to I lose track of where in the process I am (has my CV been sent? Are they waiting for the client? Has my CV been passed to someone else in the agency?)

So what I have done is created a simple page that can be printed out and used to keep track of these job calls.  It is a first draft and I appreciate your comments in fine-tuning it.  I have tried to focus on giving space for multiple contacts about jobs, over just listing all different agency contacts, as a reminder to work out what is next in that job app – and possible give a nudge to chase agencies if they haven’t gotten back to you in the time they suggested.

This form can also be useful for those receiving JSA as the data can be easily copied over to the form they use.

I hope it is useful for you and that it helps you keep track of your job-hunt.

Download the Application Record

Rasheed has generously written a guest post for SurviveRedundancy.co.uk.

Redundancy presents an opportunity to reinvent yourself and perhaps to truely follow your dreams for the first time. Mindful that redundancy – or the threat of it – may face you, your friend or family – here are my top tips …followed by my 1min film.

1. Give yourself time and space to be, breathe, reflect and even grieve.
2. Find out exactly what the redundancy will mean: and your options / entitlements.
3. Seek support: from friends and loved ones – and professionals in / beyond work who can help you.
4. Take time: to consider what you really want to do next in your life and career and follow your heart.
5. Practicals: Brush up your CV and your interview skills, identify all your strengths and skills. Ensure you stand
out. Include a powerful personal statement at the top.
6. Get hold of my ‘Moving ahead in your career free guide – visit my resources page it will help you focus on what you want in a job
7. Write a list of all the people you know who can help you (inc contacts, friends, former colleagues and who they know)Call or make appointments to meet and chat with anyone who may be able to help you.
8. When applying for jobs: keep your spoken/ written correspondence clear, crisp, concise and captivating.
9. Spread the net: include internet, networking, agencies, contacts as well as newspapers for your job search
10. Tell people: You probably know 200 people or more tell them what you’re looking for…together you may find it… It’s a small world