How can entrepreneurs recognise that their business is not them, and that its possible failure in times like these is not a reflection of them personally.
Rotorua businesses are enduring their "worst nightmare" in the Covid-19 pandemic as the government prepares for skyrocketing unemployment rates that could range anywhere from 13 to 26 per cent.
But recruitment agencies say while it is "an uncertain time for all" it is possible to shift career directions and theyremain optimistic the job market will improve in the future.
Rotorua Chamber of Commerce chief executive Bryce Heard said this week the chamber was surveying businesses about their situations but so far, from anecdotal feedback, some were in "a better headspace" than others.
"The primary sector businesses are mostly functioning and demonstrating a degree of resilience that we associate with the farming and forestry sectors. But many businesses, especially those dependent on the tourism dollar, are still reeling from the cessation/reduction of income.
"The more proactive are taking pre-emptive steps to protect cash flow and some are already restructuring for the new future.
"Government support packages are being widely uplifted and we have well over 300 businesses engaged with the three Bay of Plenty chambers on specific support packages," he said.
Heard said there were going to be some "major opportunities" as a result of the pandemic, although "not all of these are yet obvious".
"Our borders will be tightly regulated for the foreseeable future. In this respect, New Zealand is going to have an advantage over most other countries as we have a realistic opportunity to become free of Covid-19."
Nationally, the Ministry of Social Development is facing an influx of people in need of welfare payments such as Jobseeker Support.
Bay of Plenty regional commissioner Mike Bryant said Work and Income was "doing everything we can" to help communities in the Bay of Plenty while seeing "a growing number of whānau needing assistance".
"While our offices are closed we have most of our staff working every day to help people during this time of uncertainty – including many who are working from home," he said.
Mike Bryant is the regional commissioner for the Ministry of Social Development in the Bay of Plenty. Photo / File
The Ministry was in close contact with many employers across the region to provide any available support and "we are also working to re-deploy workers to help fill jobs in essential industries".
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More on this from: Viv Rickard – Deputy Chief Executive, Service Delivery
Seek NZ's general manager Janet Faulding told NZME it was "an uncertain time for all" - both prospective employees and hirers.
"For those considering a new career, remember that you don't have to take a giant leap to start off with, a good first step is to spend some time doing some online research about the industry you're interested in."
She said career coaches and mentors were a good source of advice and support and could be spoken to over calls.
NeedToKnow3
"If you really have no idea what you want to do, the best place to start is to do some self-reflection. Think about what interests you, what you're passionate about and what you might want to achieve in your career.
"Once you've got a clearer idea (it doesn't have to be a complete picture), you can start to develop short, medium and long-term goals for your career. It doesn't matter what they are, it just matters that you have some bite-sized, realistic goals."
Staffroom director Jill Cachemaille. Photo / File
Recruitment agencies said those forced to rethink their jobs should stick to what they know.
Jill Cachemaille, director of Bay of Plenty-based recruitment agency The Staffroom said staying close to existing skillsets and industry experience allows people to "stay competitive".
"Think of a job that would be a natural extension of what you have already been doing and [where] your previous experience would be an advantage."
1st Call Recruitment managing director Phill van Syp acknowledged it was "extremely hard" to reinvent yourself "unless you've got some skills that match a different path".
"When we are looking for people, we're always looking for a skill base of some sort ... I think sometimes people forget the skills they have."
He said it was also "a great opportunity to do something that maybe you never thought of doing".
"There's nothing to lose."
He was also optimistic the job market would improve.
1st Call Recruitment managing director Phill van Syp. Photo / File
"There are things that might be disrupted for a little while but ... I have total faith that we're going to be back on track."
Stats NZ's most recent regional economic data shows the construction industry was the Bay of Plenty's biggest contributor to GDP in 2018, making up 7.9 per cent of the GDP compared with 6.4 per cent nationally.
Other big Bay of Plenty contributors were rental, hiring and real estate services and owner-occupied property operations, each with 7.5 per cent.
Agriculture contributed 7 per cent of the region's GDP and forestry, fishing and mining 4.7 per cent.
Seek NZ's tips for job hunters during the Covid-19 pandemic
• Standing out and being easily contactable is important. Make sure your contact information is up-to-date, highlight your start date availability.
• Be clear about the skills and experience you have that directly align with the job you are applying for. An application tailored to the job is important.
• Follow the application process. When organisations are rapidly hiring large numbers of people (such as a supermarket), going direct to the company or individual outlet or store is not always helpful and means your application may not get seen by those responsible for the hiring.
• Check the support materials on Seek's career advice page. These include tips on improving your resume, identifying transferable skills, education aligned to career goals, and job and salary trends.
