Upsetting phone call

**alreadypacked** · 26 August 2010, 18:04

Sometimes, people who have found it easy to get a job in the past, have let some things slide. When on the bench they keep doing things the same way and expect a different result.

He need to have a rethink, what would he do if he was applying for a job for the first time.

Has he ruled out all the usual suspects, CV, portfolio etc.

Is he on Linkedin etc. what network events has he attended.

He might be your friend, but the best thing you might do for him is a kick in the ass. Really he only has 6-8 weeks to land a role, then a long lonely winter.

**alreadypacked** · 26 August 2010, 18:05

P.S. any ideas on your custom title?

**suityou01** · 26 August 2010, 18:07

Originally posted by alreadypacked View Post

P.S. any ideas on your custom title?

Not really.

**OwlHoot** · 26 August 2010, 18:28

Originally posted by alreadypacked View Post

Sometimes, people who have found it easy to get a job in the past, have let some things slide.

That's very true, and it's scary how quickly one starts forgetting things not used day to day.

The problem with web programming, more than most IT skills I reckon, is that there's a bewilderingly vast and constantly growing assortment of things you could know about and/or use, but only a small fraction you use on any given project.

Combining that with the "use it or lose it" principle, and it's all too easy to see how even a seasoned and perfectly competent web developer without a photographic memory could fluff interview after interview.

edit: P.S. SY01, does your friend live in Collier's Wood by any chance? I also know someone who I suspect has been on the bench since january.

**Zippy** · 26 August 2010, 18:34

OK. Things are not great(HTMLCSS not the extent of my abilities so not abslutely sure) but make sure your mate is claiming benefits to keep his rent/mortgage/grocery bills going.
Secondly - pass on the advice of Alreadypacked.
Thirdly - be a mate and make sure he can get out for a pint and talk to someone positive. I know you are good at that

**suityou01** · 26 August 2010, 18:46

Originally posted by Zippy View Post

OK. Things are not great(HTMLCSS not the extent of my abilities so not abslutely sure) but make sure your mate is claiming benefits to keep his rent/mortgage/grocery bills going.
Secondly - pass on the advice of Alreadypacked.
Thirdly - be a mate and make sure he can get out for a pint and talk to someone positive. I know you are good at that

@Owly: No, Black Country.
@Zips: Trying to get him out for a curry.
@AP: He is really doing everything I can think of. He spent the day driving round business parks handing in promotional material, uses the job boards, goes to networking events.

**Moscow Mule** · 26 August 2010, 18:49

Small business web/seo consultancy.

**alreadypacked** · 26 August 2010, 18:55

Originally posted by suityou01 View Post

@AP: He is really doing everything I can think of. He spent the day driving round business parks handing in promotional material, uses the job boards, goes to networking events.

Has he done any voluntary work, keep his hand in and cheer him up. I was in a bad place, pushed out of a business I started etc. Started doing voluntary work, things turned around for me. If he doesn't get a role soon it will keep him busy.

**d000hg** · 26 August 2010, 20:18

Web design (as opposed to development) is one area that many freelancers do well from, redoing sites for small companies. So if he's not already he could give that a go - but he needs a decent website himself and ideally a portfolio to show. He could contact literally everyone he knows from work and ask if they need any site design doing as he is "trying to set up on his own"... people like to help their friends so a subtle sympathy play (not, "I'm about to go under") could work.

He could also look at all the online boards though it's a tough market for web-design.

Is he applying for permie jobs?

Upsetting phone call