TRANCHED: Sunbathing can seriously damage your career
Forecasters are foolhardily predicting a hotter than average summer in the UK, with lower than average rainfall. If you're a leisured ex-banker trying to get back into the market, this may seem like good news. Believe me, it's not.
This time last year, having been let go by a European investment bank, I was looking forward to sunbathing. The idea of lazing around, getting used to new parenthood, and waiting for things to improve held great allure. A generous redundancy package from my previous employer helped.
The reality turned out to be rather different. As the summer progressed and I burned through my savings, the precariousness of my situation became clear. When the sun was streaming through the windows it was difficult to muster up the motivation to make headhunter calls and spend days inside searching for potential recruiters. But unless I found something, I was going to run out of cash.
In 2008 I was helped by the fact that the weather was generally rubbish. This year, out of work bankers can't expect that fillip. So, if you're tempted by the fine weather to sit out for the next few months and to look for a job in September, I'd advise you to think twice.
The markets are regaining some composure and certain areas of the financial sector are rebounding from the ashes. A summer spent relaxing could end up costing you dearly, especially if current signs of renewed vigour in the markets fade over the summer months.
Therefore, here, from personal experience, is how to avoid losing the summer to the sunbathing temptation:
1). Get up early: Having a lie-in may seem one of the pleasures of being out of the office. However, if you get up early, get organised and hit the phones at the start of the business day, you can achieve things in the morning before the sun gets too high in the sky.
2). Make the most of the clouds: Do as much as you can to ensure you're as busy as possible when the weather's poor. That way, you can keep sunny days relatively commitment-free.
3). Invest in a Blackberry/iPhone: This way, you can ensure that you're able to access emails at all times, whether you're on the beach or not.
4). Go on holiday in August: If you go away, do so in August. This may sound obvious, but you'll find it's cheaper and that beaches are less crowded in June and July, so the temptation will be to go earlier. However, other people (recruiters) are working in June and July and you will miss valuable networking time if you're on the beach.
5. Use the weather to your advantage: As we all know, sunny evenings are perfect for beers. And sunny evenings and beers are perfect for coaxing contacts out for a relaxing drink.
So there we have it. Do not, on any occasion, stay in bed late, spend days on the beach, or relax in London parks. Bear in mind, however, that I am also now back in work and unable to partake of these pleasures myself. Therefore, my views may be slightly tinged with envy as I stare through polarised glass at the glorious sunshine outside.
