The impact of austerity measures is likely to be felt for several years to come, across UK and in some cases, substantial proportion of worforce in entire towns could be out of work, due to the cuts in public sector.

Whilst it is delusional to claim private sector will absorb public sector job losses, we all can acknowledge the government has a tough call to make and that there is no easy way out from the crisis..

So if you are in a position to hire, you have the power to make a change today for the sustainability of your firm and for the welfare of country and its long term growth. More importantly, the power to make a person and his / her family, the immediate ecosystem happy with a single message 'You are hired'..

If you are in a position to hire  : 

1) Ensure you have funding to pay for a resource, first (than interviewing candidates and announcing the lack of funding, as result).

2) Learn to take swift decisions by reducing the interview cycles. (I have heard from colleagues & network of 12 - 15+ rounds of interviews for single role). If a candidate spends £40 at an average (child care, transport, petrol, parking, sandwich etc) for every interview, it all adds up.

Besides you will have the candidate's respect (and you need it because you will have to work with him/her), if you take swift hiring decisions. In my view, a good hiring manager should be able to get the best of candidate (and vice versa) within 1 - 3 interview cycles.

If you are a candidate looking for work:

1) Reach out to your network, neighbours and more importantly don't forget to socialise.

2) Try not to isolate or confine yourself to an immediate circle of friends / relatives. Send the word out, loud and clear that you are available for work.

3) Jobcentre / Local Adult Community colleges, all have funding allocated (for the unemployed & less privileged), so you should be able to enrol to demonstrate aptitude to continous learning..

4) Universities (inspite of all the noise about cost cutting and austerity measures) still do have outstanding courses with fully funded seats.

5) If you are long term unemployed and not succeeding at interviews, attend Jobclubs, which are all run by professional volunteers, where you can meet like minded individuals to gain some confidence and more importantly most of the job clubs provide Interview coaching, CV reviews and mentoring for free.

 6) Respond2Redundancy is a project setup by EEDA, which enables funding via your employer, if you are placed at risk of redundancy (and they have other initiatives if your consultation is complete).

7) Jobcentre, again inspite of all the commotion about claimants, does its part to help claimants qualify via Rapid Response service (RRS) that helps you gain qualifications for you to be employable again. So the country does share its part in troubled times.

Finally and more importantly whilst you are searching for work, don't strain your relationship. Be nice to your children & family. Remember, you will always be measured by the type of person you are, not by the payroll number you are associated with..

Life is good. All the best.

References :

1) http://www.advantagewm.co.uk/Images/Rural%20Evidence%202010_tcm9-32216.pdf

2) EEDA

3) Businesslink

4) www.tvexecutivejobclubs.org.uk *

* Thames Valley club is the one that I am aware of near London / Surrey, but they have more references in their site and also search for your local areas (or enquire Jobcentre / Council's community welfare team) and hopefully one shouldn't be too far out..