Planes, trains and ... Salsa anyone?
There are some happy golfers sitting in the sunshine this afternoon wondering how they will ever get out of their chairs again. Sunday’s excitement of lighter evenings, weatherproofing golf shoes and packing up the car in anticipation is already a distant memory for many (my husband included). I’ve definitely noticed a few more neighbours with beaming smiles as they’ve walked past my window today. The stay at home (until the 29th) message is fading fast. Yes, change is on the way and just in time for Easter. Let’s celebrate!
Another milestone for so many, April heralds a return to work for hairdressers, retailers and many of the occupations associated with leisure activities like pools and gyms. Then, just a month later it’s highly likely that local hotels will reopen their doors to guests, although travel-related roles are still in the balance for so many. Gradually hospitality will come to life once again and stretch out like a little sleepy hedgehog from its slumbers. I am hopeful that successive periods of furlough or unemployment haven’t dampened people’s spirits beyond repair. No, I’m not describing my split ends although trust me, I am as desperate for a haircut as I am to stretch out (like the sleepy hedgehog) and to swim in the pool.
This time last year I was saddened by the news that many of my ex-colleagues from Gatwick Airport were no longer required at work, although I’m pleased that so many have turned their careers around with more to follow. Today it was a different news item which attracted my attention – the potential administration of Eurostar. Just 26 years ago tomorrow, I was packing up my Eurostar Resourcing desk at Waterloo International and swapping it for one at London Underground Engineering, in Canary Wharf. Happy memories of teamwork and friendships made, not to mention sitting on a Eurostar train in the Channel tunnel playing Scrabble while newly skilled Train Managers and on-board Caterers practised their craft. Yes, I honed my assessment and training delivery skills amid the tensions of a previously male-dominated management structure – the indomitable Traction Inspectors of British Rail.
Many of the skills and techniques I learned at the leading edge of rail travel are still with me, not least the power of positive feedback delivered well. We were all about customers and candidates were our customers, too. It was a privilege to be part of the Eurostar recruitment story in 1992, although there were valuable recruitment lessons to be learned. I experienced first-hand how much space 2,500 paper applications occupy (and that was just the response to one advertisement awaiting my return from holiday). I still wince when I remember that advertising a careers open day at Waterloo Station on Capital Radio caused chaos as applicants for Engineering roles snaked around the station. Yes, authorised recruitment to around 1,500 roles takes careful planning, resilience and more than a code name, “Albatross”. It was fun although eps (European Passenger Services) and its Albatross project was not a crowd-pleaser. It took the launch of the Eurostar brand to attract interest and by then so many of the vacancies were already filled.
Another news items which caught my eye earlier was about the export challenges being experienced by the Whitstable oyster growers. I love seafood as I’ve mentioned previously, although our Easter oysters are coming up from Cornwall on Thursday to help with our 21st wedding anniversary celebrations. Who else would get married on April Fools Day? Seriously though, we’re still great fans of Flying Fish and we’ve ordered our luxury fish box to arrive on 1st April. The fish is delicious, the service is excellent and in some small way it’s helping to keep this ancient occupation alive. Fishing off the coast of Cornwall is not an obvious career choice for urban students, yet after watching the recent documentaries on television surely, it’s worthy of consideration? Yes, I’m always promoting new opportunities and a different approach to career decisions.
Whatever your chosen profession or plans for Easter, it seems that the green shoots of Spring are taking hold at speed. It’s time to harness the energy that’s around right now and maximise the power of sunshine and vitamin D. It’s time to sing your favourite song at the top of your voice and Salsa in the sunshine. Right now, I’m belting out Mandolin Wind with Rod, my 1970s hero. Happy days!
Trust me, once you come back inside your job hunting will be revitalised. Why not get in touch and tell me about your plans or how I can help … or maybe you’d just like to chat? Let’s talk.
The Clock at St Pancras International Station