Gutsy Stephen back in a job

Job seeker Stephen Laidler attracted plenty of attention last week when he stood on the corner of Victoria Avenue and Taupo Quay. PHOTO/DEVYN STAINES

A week ago he was standing on a street corner, holding a sign and hoping for a break.

Now Stephen Laidler is back in work - his brave stand having paid dividends.

The Wanganui man with the positive attitude was featured on the Chronicle front page last Tuesday with a sign that said "Employ Me Please!" and his phone number.

He took a pro-active approach to being made redundant from a local training institute the week before, and his stand on the corner of Victoria Avenue and Taupo Quay produced a remarkable response.

Yesterday he said he had been "overwhelmed" by the number of responses he had received.

"The phone didn't stop ringing all week. I have hundreds of messages on my phone that I haven't been able to get to yet.

"Not all of them were about jobs - many were people just ringing me to wish me luck."

The street corner stint last Monday and Tuesday meant Mr Laidler was able to take his pick of jobs. He had three definite offers, and 12 further possible jobs, including some from out of town.

Now he is employed full-time at a local financial services provider, and began his new job on Monday.

Mr Laidler said he was very grateful for the support he had received from the Wanganui community during his time as a job seeker.

He had expected to be embarrassed and shamed by his very public plea but instead had been hugely encouraged by the support from motorists and passers-by.

"People who are looking for work need encouragement and support - it can be demoralising and depressing when you are unemployed.

"The best thing I could say to people looking for work is to persevere and to keep your morale high," added Mr Laidler who also sent out about 300 emails and letters to local businesses looking for work.