GUEST COMMENT: I'm deluged with desperate candidates

I think I must be the busiest person in London. Back to work last Monday; tube was empty; streets were empty; no queue for coffee in my usual coffee shop en route to the office. Everything was going smoothly and I was feeling ready to tackle the year ahead.

Then I opened my inbox and it took 10 minutes for my emails to update. I'd received over a 1,000 emails over the holiday period and in one click my dreams of easing myself into the year were shattered.

It took me three days to clear my inbox and read the CVs. And every night I receive approximately 100 more. People who refused to speak to me a year ago are now calling daily to tell me why they're the ideal candidate for a role they wouldn't have previously considered. Grand illusions of only working for multi-billion dollar hedge funds have turned into being open to the smallest of corporate finance boutiques, financial consulting, PR, or even recruitment.

You can't fault people for their creativity. Candidates have taken to ever more resourceful ways of getting hold of me. Leaving messages, telling colleagues that they're a good friend, or the best one so far- a close relative!

For my part, I'm happy to talk. Being a counsellor is all part of the job. A lot of guys just want to have a chat and be re-assured that they're not alone. Some will have to find alternative careers, but hopefully the City will regain confidence and eventually people will find something that will make them happy. It may not pay well, but staying in the game is the bonus this year.

In the meantime, at least I no longer have to queue for my coffee.