But Woolworths have looked in difficulty for a while. With so much competition, how did Woolies respond - by increasing their product lines and so selling lots of different things but not enough of anything? 

So you could buy DVDs and CDs but their line wasn’t as comprehensive as in HMV.

So many other products, like children’s clothes could be bought cheaper in the major supermarkets.

Then they diversified into selling mobile phones, a highly competitive market and I wouldn’t have though they had a big enough market share to buy as cheap as the major phone companies.

So how does this help you, the job searcher?

Have a good look at your CV. Are you a bit like Woolies, showing how much you can do but not enough depth on anything?

I’m working with a client at the moment who has a background in catering management, retrained to become a legal executive and is now, following redundancy, looking for a new career.  Her CV was a combination of the catering and legal work, and neither really focused on the new area she wants to move into.

So we are now focusing all her work experience onto the new career path, and emphasising the education that supports this, and deemphasising her hotel and catering qualifications. It’s not just about discounting this though.  Her HND covered a lot of business topics, so we’ve listed them.  All is looking so much better.

So you may be thinking of a number of different jobs to apply for, but do make sure that each application is clearly focused on one specific job.

Want some help? Do get in touch.

1: Recognise it will be an emotional time for many

Loss of a job is up there, along with divorce or the loss of a spouse or close relative, so expect to have feelings of disappointment and loss.

You are highly likely to feel sad so take the time to express those feelings – it could be sadness, shock, disappointment, shame, resentment, and anger. Look for ways to let those feelings out or they will fester inside of you. Exercise can often be a good option to take, so go to the gym or out for a brisk walk. You could even considering kicking a cardboard box to release those negative feelings.

2: Don’t take it personally

Redundancy is more likely to be due to budget cuts and a lack of business rather than poor performance.

3: Think about what you want to do in the short and medium term

You need to review your CV and think about what jobs are likely to become available. In the current economic climate, no matter how great you are as an estate agent or banker, if there aren’t the jobs available what are you going to do?

For many who didn’t get a lot of job satisfaction out of their job, this can be seen as an opportunity, perhaps not initially, but in time.  

No one is secure in their jobs any more. We never know what might happen so here are a few tips to ensure you are marketable:

1.    Make sure that you do a good job so if some staff are let go they are more likely to keep you.

2.    Be visible: It is not just doing a good job but letting other people know you are doing a good job, so don’t hide your achievements away.

3.    Be indispensible. Be willing to volunteer for those jobs that others don’t want to do and be flexible in helping out. Create great relationships with your customers, really understand the computer system. Your boss will not want to let you go.

4.    Make or save the company money. Look for what you can do to help the company bottom line. Can you save them money? Simplify processes? Negotiate a better deal with suppliers?

5.    Have a positive attitude. When just some people are being made redundant, companies will often use this as an excuse to lay off the “difficult ones.”

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That means that your CV, covering letter and every way you make contact with your potential new employer is as good as it can be. 

But some people send off their applications even though they know they could be better. I had an email today from someone who said

“I know my CV isn’t the most desirable as I have a mixture of short term roles.  I also think I let myself down on the cover letter”

It’s all about how you position your CV and letter. Short term jobs are not necessarily a problem, but it does depend what you have done and how you describe this.

A covering letter should be focused on the job being applied for but too many ramble and bear no relationship to the job being applied for.

It’s such a waste of time to let an application go forward when you know it could be better. That’s why people will work with me as they know I can help them to present themselves well, and to create a great impression at interview.

I can never comment without actually looking at a clients CV, letter and the relevant job ad, but the money spent on an hour or two working with me can prove very helpful.