Hard time in business

[Dirk3D_NL]

ouch, good luck Mark...

[smokie]

They need to at least pay lip service to fairness! When my last place wanted to lay off about 2/3rds of the project managers (!!!) everyone was put at risk, and everyone had a "competency based interview". These were all attended and recorded (I mean written) by HR, then the choice of the lucky ones (i.e. those who went) was presumably with the interviewers.

Though we could have predicted with 99% accuracy which of us were going to go... You could tell the ones who would keep their jobs, they all had brown noses

[Lord Pig-Pen]

My Contract in Southampton was finished early last friday but I have an Interview with Wokingham Council next week for my old job. Fingers crossed. Its not nice out here at the moment

[pool pugilist]

I sympathise whole heartdly with anyone under the threat of or being made redundant at the moment, I truly wish you all the best of luck. I too was made redundant (see earlier posts) but luckily managed to get another position quickly and have held onto it through the rough times. It is also heartning to see the people getting sorted, in my case we had a shakey 2008 and returned a small loss for the year, one bonus was our Corporation Tax bill was the princely sum of £4.95!!

2009 has been sucessfull and we are currently trading at 30% profit which in the our business (Contract Scaffolding) in the current climate is a miracle. We have just knuckled down, concentrated on our core business, taken no risks with new customers insisting on part or all money up front, (even after credit checks) if they are not willing to enter into this agreement we just dont work for them.

Our order books for first quarter of 2010 are quite healthy so hopefully it continues!!

[mike(liverpool boys)]

As LPP says,its not nice out here at the moment 

After months of trying all sorts to get a job (1 job I applied for in Kilmarnock had 458 applications  )  I have had to bite the bullet and try and go it alone.

After a meeting with the bank next tuesday afternoon I hope to have M.Hughes Property Solutions up and running. Time will tell if it will work or not but at the moment its my only option.

The plan is to stick to the small jobs that the bigger firms dont want and maybe even provide a 24 hour emergency call out service,that might be more hasstle than its worth though.

Fingers crossed though.

Mike

[Nordic]

Good luck, there is always call for good reliable tradesmen no matter what the market condintions.

[nopanic - neil]

As LPP says,its not nice out here at the moment 

After months of trying all sorts to get a job (1 job I applied for in Kilmarnock had 458 applications  )  I have had to bite the bullet and try and go it alone.

After a meeting with the bank next tuesday afternoon I hope to have M.Hughes Property Solutions up and running. Time will tell if it will work or not but at the moment its my only option.

The plan is to stick to the small jobs that the bigger firms dont want and maybe even provide a 24 hour emergency call out service,that might be more hasstle than its worth though.

Fingers crossed though.

Mike

There is work out there for maintenance and repairs on property. Well I seem to be busy-ish, not always with the cherry picker.

if you need any help, let me know.

Good luck Mike

[wishy]

Mike,

If you do decide to go out on your own.........a good place to start is letting agents.A mate of mine started 9 years ago on his own and he said yes to any job that was thrown at him. All he did was find contractors in the particular field and used them.

Consequently, he now has 14 staff and is turning over in excess of £2,500,000 and is having trouble coping with the amount of work he currently has.

The other avenue to go down with letting agents is proffesional cleaning of properties when tenants leave and new ones come in the agents always need a quick turn round.

Andy

[mike(liverpool boys)]

Cheers for the advise and support guys 

I will post again next week when I know better what my possition is.

Mike

[Nordic]

My Contract in Southampton was finished early last friday but I have an Interview with Wokingham Council next week for my old job. Fingers crossed. Its not nice out here at the moment

Not 100% sure wat you do, but is this of any interest?


http://jobs.westsussex.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/vacancies/

Vacancy list for advert ref 60014878.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Building Surveyors
Chichester or Horsham
£32,800 - £35,400
 
Are you ready for a new challenge? You will bring all round Building Surveying knowledge to our property portfolio to ensure buildings are operational, fit for purpose and can fully support the County Council’s new ways of working.

As property lead you will have excellent communication skills and be able to provide complex and specialist advice and guidance to internal and external clients, including the delivery of maintenance projects identified in the maintenance capital programme. With sound and accurate IT, problem solving and analytical skills you will prepare reports, undertake research and provide the highest level of customer service to clients.

You will also have a working knowledge of all building regulations, building contracts, project management, planning law, health and safety, fire safety and relevant technical building standards including all statutory requirements.

Closing Date: 12 Noon 18 December 2009 
 
Posted Date: 2 December 2009
Closing Date: 18 December 2009
Interview Date: 8 January 2010