Corporate world beckons in life after Parliament

Recruitment advisers David Doyle and Tim Cook give their not-entirely-serious professional advice to defeated MPs after the dust has settled in this year's election.

* What is the most suitable job for newly redundant MPs?

DD: Rainmaker (someone who develops business or uses their network to influence decision-makers to their firms' advantage) for a large law firm.

There is a growing trend overseas to hire politicians as partners in major law firms.

Your contacts, knowledge and influence gleaned from the inner sanctums of high office make you a compelling addition to a top-tier practice.

And, of course, many politicians have studied or practised law, so how hard can it be?

TC: PR and lobbying. You have built up impressive connections in Wellington and, after kissing so many babies, have the ability to look interested when you're not.

MPs have also developed an ability to work long hours, with long dinner meetings being a particular skill.

On top of that, you have an unrivalled ability to say a lot without saying anything at all.

* What is the least suitable job for newly redundant MPs?

DD: Rainmaker for a large law firm. The public have short memories, unless you truly reach the top. So unless you need to, why flog yourself and your contacts mercilessly on the corporate treadmill?

Few firms will tolerate the number of support staff, high overheads and lack of accountability that life in Parliament affords, and you may find the constant search for fees more arduous than the occasional struggle for votes.

TC: Anything to do with customer services. And you may want to think twice about becoming an investment adviser dealing with superannuation payouts.

* What skills should they highlight on their CV?

DD: Being a chameleon. Today's scandal could be tomorrow's litigation client, and law firms can't afford to bow to party politics. U-turns are part of the job for MPs, and a useful skill for rainmakers.

TC: Your ability to work through mounds of paperwork will be invaluable in dealing with corporate bureaucracy. Your ability to collect and use air points will go down well.

* What weaknesses should they camouflage?

DD: Committing yourself to a particular cause, outcome, or public scrutiny.

In your new career, your partners (and your profession indemnity insurer) will look dimly on cast-iron or publicly uttered commitments.

Those in the corporate world have longer memories and are more avaricious than voters.

TC: Your lack of decision-making ability and your slightly too robust boardroom debating style.

Don't mention any desire you harbour for a chauffeur-driven company car, and you may have to explain your lack of long-term career planning.

* Any other specific advice for redundant MPs?

DD: Welcome to the real world. Write your resume carefully (and truthfully), hone your core skills, and use your networks well while they last. Above all, hope that the new Government's policies create a glut of new roles at the rock-star end of the executive market, and that it offers tax breaks to high-flyers fallen on hard times.

TC: Don't expect any quick fixes career-wise. But this could be a good chance to build empathy with unemployed voters - make the most of it.

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