KEY POINTS:
Derk Schoemaker blames himself for being made redundant. He lost his job just before Christmas and despite applying through agencies for 38 roles, he has had just one interview and no offers.
The unemployed business development manager worked for an Australia-based firm supplying specialist machinery and software to the printing industry.
"I can't help feeling that if I was any good at my job I wouldn't be out of work," says Schoemaker.
"When I got the call on December 19, my gut reaction was that if I had done my job differently, my employer may have kept me on. I see it as a personal failure, even though what I sold was a niche product."
Schoemaker says his employer made a tough decision and they parted on good terms.
He says this time is a bit easier as he has been made redundant before. The last time it took him more than 10 months to get back into the workforce. He can't wait as long this time because he expects his money to run out in April.
"I am looking at job vacancies - I check them online three or four times a day - and deciding if I can turn my hand to doing the advertised role," says Schoemaker. "I consider all my skills and look to see where and how I can apply them.
"I think it is important to develop portable skills. These include things such as sales, report-writing, technical writing and [computer skills]."
Schoemaker says job hunters can't sit back and hope a job will come along that fits them.
"You have to look at other skills you might have picked up on the way," he says.
Having applied for dozens of jobs advertised by recruitment agencies, Schoemaker now understands that recruitment consultants can only go so far in helping people like him. But one thing that bugs him is when agencies advertise non-existent jobs just to build up a pile of CVs.
"I do understand that recruitment agents are not just working for me, they are working for the client company - they want to get names on their books. But that doesn't help me."
One job application led to a telephone discussion, after which Schoemaker was shortlisted for a formal interview.
"I waited to hear back with a date," he says. "I left messages then on the fourth phone call I spoke with the consultant who said the job had gone. It is very frustrating because I knew the company and felt I really had something solid to offer them."
Schoemaker says the poor service offered by some recruiters may be down to the sheer number of applications they receive.
"A lot of people flick CVs in all directions just out of sport."
Tim Slyfield, associate director at recruitment firm OCG, confirms this is the case, but says that doesn't mean applicants should be treated poorly.
"People who are unemployed and at a senior level are looking at their skill set and seeing where else they can be useful," he says. "This may be why some people are looking at one or two levels below where they used to be."
Slyfield says it is up to recruiters to look at people's skills and identify them for the most appropriate roles. "But it does take a bit longer to do that," he says. "It is our policy to respond to every candidate. It's tough, but job hunters deserve it - they are your future clients."
Slyfield's advice to job hunters is to telephone the consultant handling the vacancy they have applied for rather than rely on email alone.
But Schoemaker believes job hunting doesn't start and end with recruitment firms. He's a keen networker and says calling on family, former colleagues and friends is key.
"Each of us has a network of one form or another - it may even include people you've met in previous jobs, family members and their friends.
"You may belong to a club, so let club members know what's going on - tell them you're on the market."
So far, Schoemaker has had four interviews as a result of referrals from contacts. "One job looked quite likely, then the firm decided not to create the vacancy after all."
He says job hunters should never worry about being judged.
"It is a different environment this time around and people are much more accepting of people being out of work than they may have been a few years back. It is so widespread. There is no shame in it.
"The last time I was out of work, the queue at Work and Income was made up of 80 per cent unemployable people and 20 per cent fairly serious people. But today you see 80 per cent of those looking for work are educated, executive-type people."
There is a light at the end of the tunnel for Schoemaker, who is off to Sydney, invited by a firm keen to expand into New Zealand and use his sales skills.
"They are paying for the flight and accommodation, which is great," he says. "But I have told them I'll stay in a backpackers to help keep costs down. The days of the executive with all the bells and whistles may be over for the moment."
