Recession- proofing careers

A World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC) UK initiative led by chairperson Shernaz Engineer was a well attended ‘Career Clinic’ at the popular Zoroastrian restaurant Café Spice Namaste. The event last November had a battery of professionals — all of who have lived through at least one recession — to cover four perspectives, from the standpoint of the employee, legal, recruitment and human resource departments.

Kris Wadia, partner at Accenture, explained that employees who were part of the team charged with leading the firm through the recession and who had created a personal brand by bridging two or more departments, geographies or languages, were in a comparatively sounder position in the company. From the legal perspective Rustom Tata, partner and head of employment group at DMH Stallard advised the audience on areas where an employee could (or could not) challenge when he was made redundant. He noted that early and appropriate legal advice would help with the structuring of the exit deal as well as the resulting tax implications.

Christopher Forbes, CEO of PhD Search and Selection, a leading recruitment consultancy, provided tactical advice on the best timing for an exit as also the way to present one’s credentials to a prospective employer for maximum success. Phil Nunnerley, former director of People Development at Lloyds TSB Bank, spoke about what professionals look for when they have to make tough career-ending decisions. An employee’s willingness and ability to adapt to change, as well as having skills that would be necessary for the employer’s future success, would go a long way to stave off redundancy, he explained.

(From left) Kris Wadia, Christopher Forbes, Shernaz Engineer, Phil Nunnerley and Rustom Tata

With "only short, sharp questions” allowed, Wadia ensured that over 30 questions were answered in the scheduled 60-minute question and answer session. While existing employees focused on job retention, younger members of the audience wanted to know how to get a job in a market inundated with experienced, unemployed people. The panel provided the expertise for structuring personal resumes for maximum impact.

The Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE) had sponsored the young Zoroastrians to attend the session free of charge. Dorab Mistry of Godrej had sponsored the sumptuous buffet dinner and drinks catered by celebrity chef Cyrus Todiwala and his wife Pervin.