Sign of the times in tight job market | Bay of Plenty News | Local News in Bay of Plenty

Student Cameron Walker will "do anything" for a job - including standing at one of Tauranga's busiest intersections with a cardboard sign saying so.

The 19-year-old pleaded for work with the makeshift sign reading "will swap sign for job" over several hours at 11th Ave and Cameron Rd on Tuesday.

"I am desperate - really, really desperate. I'll take anything, I'll do anything. I just need a job," he said.

Cameron is 10 weeks into studying business and management at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic but said he would give it up if it meant having enough money to live on.

As a student, he receives $150 a week for living costs. His rent is $120.

Without family in the Bay, he has few options other than finding work.

"Sometimes I will go two or three days without food," he said.

When Cameron does eat, it's normally a diet of two-minute noodles and baked beans.

Cameron has already sold his car to try and pay off large debts. While reluctant to say how large his debt was he, described it as "pretty bad".

Cameron has a background in labour and retail and said he had been looking for work for about three weeks, without luck, when he decided to try something different.

"You can't get more obvious than a big sign. I don't want to waste too much time running around handing CVs to everyone just to get the cold shoulder.

"I just woke up this morning and thought 'stuff it'. At least with this sign here (11th Ave and Cameron Rd) I have got people coming from four different directions. Someone has got to be looking for someone out of all that."
 

Neil Bartosh, who owns Mount Maunganui-based Pacific Coast Employment Services, said the job market was especially tough at the moment. "It is tough out there, no doubt about that. They all say the recession is over but it certainly is not reflected in the area out here."

Mr Bartosh said he was aware of at least two building companies that had closed down over the past month, plus a number of labourers who were out of work.

Mr Bartosh said it seemed the only jobs advertised were specialised positions, which made it even harder for someone with no experience to find work. 

JOB HUNTING TIPS
Decide which job or industry you want to get into

Create an impressive CV, with help from online services (or employment agencies)

Prepare yourself for the interview, dress appropriately and show knowledge of the organisation

Brand yourself as the best person for the job

 Find out what you are worth, there are a number of salary tools online

  www.seek.co.nz