…and nearly 15% elsewhere reported around the country, if you’ve taken on board the suggestions in our last blog, you should be more than ready to build on your potential value, especially when times get tough.

Weather conditions are improving (however briefly) and now is the time to push any advantage you may have gained.

Don’t wait for the ‘right’ time. Don’t wait for permission to do things differently. Look back over the information and tips here, seek out people with ‘can do’ attitudes and just go for it!

The weather is currently creating havoc over vast areas of the British Isles and there’s no sign of the snow, ice and freezing conditions letting up over the next few days.

People who manage to get into work today may struggle to get home tonight. And, if that’s the case, they may stay home tomorrow.

If you’re not currently working where is accessible to you? What businesses near you might welcome an extra pair of hands to fill in for an essential employee who can’t make it? Sure, it may only be for a few days, even a few hours a day, but it’s a chance to get a foot in the door. Who is that employer going to remember?

Why not call the owners/MDs of businesses within a 10 – 20 minute walk (if there are any):

“Hi. My name is… I’m between assignments at the moment, am 5 (or whatever) minutes from you and wondered if you’re a bit stuck and need a sub for an employee who can’t make it in because of the weather conditions.  I’m pretty experienced and adaptable…”

You may want to dispense with the phone call and just present yourself at the business premises.

It may work. It might not. But you won’t know unless you try and what else would you be doing?

If there’s no chance of paid work anywhere near you who could you help out in your neighbourhood just because you can?

The old, the frail and the disabled suffer particularly at times like this.  Getting out and about can be treacherous – could you go offer to go to the local shops for a neighbour or two and get essentials to tide them over? And if they stay indoors they often don’t heat their homes enough to keep themselves warm – and sometimes nobody knows until it’s too late.

This is a real quick blog for those of you who’ve been made redundant and are struggling to get back earning again:

Having just had a really interesting conversation with Richard Alberg I wanted to direct you to an excellent, fair-minded blog about the advisors at Jobcentre Plus – here’s a snippet from it:

“It is a very tough environment for job-seekers right now.  But there are opportunities.  Whether it be getting State assistance or securing a job, the key is to go for it yourself.  Don’t rely on others to do the legwork or make it happen for you.  Make it your responsibility to find out what is out there and available and then pursue it.  Do this and you are far more likely to be successful.”

And, even better, when you go there you’ll see the service that Richard’s company provides that you could be using FREE – you just have to ask your Jobcentre Plus advisor.

Isn’t it great to know that there’s help for you if you look for it!

What are you waiting for? Enjoy…