1.   Keep Calm

It is extremely difficult to remain calm and focused when consultation or redundancy is mentioned; especially when mortgage payments need to be met, families or partners need to be supported and school fees need to be paid. However, this is no time to panic; clear, strategic thinking is the order of the day. Think about the options open to you or what your longer term goals are and be realistic. Do not start applying for every property related position or register with every agency but be selective and spend time researching what help is available.

2.  CV Writing 

If you have been made redundant you must construct a top class CV. There is no excuse for any errors on a CV, spelling, grammar or any others.  The CV needs to be close to perfect because often this is the only way of selling yourself. For example, the amount of CVs I see with Royal Institute rather than Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors is worrying.  If you are a senior candidate then three pages is really the maximum, if you are more junior then two is sufficient. Always start with education and qualifications first followed by career history, which is ordered as the most recent first because this is most relevant. Please see Beach Baker’s CV tips and advice for more detailed instructions.

3. Interview Techniques

When a candidate gets an interview in this market one must prepare properly. This means researching thoroughly the interviewer and company. Speak discretely to your network of contacts to find out any bits of information about the company or interviewer. Look at company websites for business CVs sometimes uploaded and think about what the interviewer is looking for. If it is through a recruiter or head hunter make sure you get all the information from them by calling or meeting up before the day. Think why the employer wants to interview you; are they interested in your contacts? Could they be interested in your client relationships? Is it the specific experience on your CV?