Executive head-hunters are witnessing an upsurge in the number of senior candidates who are in the job market for one reason only: recent or imminent retrenchment.<\/p>\n
This is according to Auguste Coetzer, a director at South African recruitment company Signium Africa.<\/p>\n
However, Coetzer said that this development is not only a local issue, and that a number of international candidates with quality CVs often test the South African waters after being blindsided by retrenchment.<\/p>\n
“The drivers are fast-changing technology, tough economic conditions and belt-tightening by private companies and public services. Cost savings are substantial when \u2018tall poppies\u2019 are cut,” she said.<\/p>\n
Coetzer said that many of these executives are caught in the mindset that \u2018this can\u2019t happen to me\u2019.<\/p>\n
“You may have good qualifications, with good relationships in place, but you can still be thrown under the bus when economic pressures mount and operational losses pile up,” she said.<\/p>\n
“Keep networks, your skill set and friendships in good repair. You don\u2019t want to be the executive who phones old contacts out of the blue, desperate for a favour. The unspoken reaction to avoid is \u2018I\u2019ve not heard from you in years and now you phone me because you want something\u2019.”<\/p>\n
Coetzer said it is also important to engage in community or charity work.<\/p>\n
“You meet new people and create contacts outside your industry and profession. You also demonstrate you are a well-rounded person with a sense of social responsibility \u2013 ticking an important box when future employers look at the sort of person you are.<\/p>\n
“When developing wider networks or entrenching relationships, be sure your associates are people of integrity. Even a passing connection with unsavory characters can come back to haunt you.”<\/p>\n
Shock<\/strong><\/p>\n While the above tips are useful for planning purposes, Coetzer said that no matter how well you prepare, retrenchment is always a shock.<\/p>\n “Self-esteem may take a knock. Emotions come into play. But it is important to proceed logically and methodically,” she said.<\/p>\n “Consult the internet for lists of things to do when facing retrenchment. Some tips may be irrelevant. Others are useful thought-starters.”<\/p>\n Other factors to consider include:<\/p>\n\n
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