When it comes to professional development, choosing your next career move, or enhancing your own personal branding on platforms such as LinkedIn, a lot can be said for authenticity and a willingness to learn.

My Journey in Recruitment & Career Conversations

Taking on a marketing role at Contract Personnel (a recruitment agency) over the past three years has enabled me to speak with people daily about their career options, development, and dreams.

I often speak to students and young professionals who are looking for their first break in their professional careers. Or I am asked for advice on:

• How to gain experience
• Where to make friendships
• The best places to network
• How to reach the right people

The Key to Success? A Willingness to Learn

My first piece of advice always tends to be around ‘a willingness to learn’. If you have this mindset, you will achieve success as you will show determination and hunger.

As a former journalist, telling stories and finding the best in people is something I did on a daily basis. To achieve your ambitions and fulfill your potential, a lot depends on how willing you are to learn new things, be a bit quirky, and showcase your talents.

A Career Built on Storytelling & People

Prior to working in recruitment, I have had marketing roles at:
✔ Marina Theatre
✔ Desira
✔ Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure

I have also covered large sporting events during my time at BBC Sport and completed complex investigative journalistic stories working at the EDP.

But something that underpins all of these roles is the person that I choose to be on a daily basis.

I love listening to people, hearing their stories, celebrating their successes, and showcasing them.

Shifting Into Events, Partnerships & Networking

Over the past 12 months, I have grown more into an events, partnerships, and business development role, which has allowed me to:
✔ Regularly attend networking events
✔ Host some of my own

In my opinion, there is nothing more powerful than meeting people and finding out more about them.

At the end of the day:

• People buy from people
• We learn from each other
• We can recommend and support one another

Standing Out in a Scrolling Culture

My key tip over the past six months has been around video content, especially on LinkedIn.

At a recent careers fair at UEA, my key advice was:
1️⃣ Research companies in the sector you are interested in
2️⃣ Start connecting with people who work there on LinkedIn
3️⃣ Show a willingness to learn – record a little video about yourself and your experiences

If you have no professional work experience, say that. It is not a negative. Instead, explain all of your other interests and skills that make you a suitable candidate.

Someone who puts themselves out there and wants to learn will shine brighter than everyone else.

Creative Ways to Gain Experience & Get Noticed

✔ Offer to come in and shadow or learn from someone in a company – this can be a great way to gain hands-on experience
✔ Meet fellow professionals and learn from one another – career growth happens in communities
✔ Research available opportunities and connect with relevant people – relationships matter

Sometimes, stepping outside your comfort zone can be one of the hardest things to do.

Whenever I do a talk at a networking event, I now try to make it:

• Entertaining
• Filled with a few jokes and one-liners

People now come up to me and ask when my next comedy routine will be taking place—not that the jokes are any good, mind!

But this is because I have tried to be memorable, and hopefully, people see the real me—a genuine, fun person who brings something a little different to professional events.

At the end of the day, it is important to smile and have a laugh sometimes.

Your CV is Your Story—Tell it Well

One of the hardest things on a CV, in my opinion, is the personal statement. It is never easy to talk about yourself. But you should see this as an opportunity to showcase yourself and the type of person you are.

Recruitment = Matchmaking & Finding Inspiration

Recruitment can be a bit like match-making:
✔ Finding the best in a person
✔ Matching their skills to the most appropriate job role

But for me, it is about being inspired and enjoying the work that you are taking on.

It is crucial to have aspirations and dreams to try and achieve.

Pushing Myself in 2025

I have taken on a number of running challenges in 2025 – including a 5K run every day in January for charity.

Why? Because I am ambitious and want to challenge myself to achieve something I didn’t think I could do.

This Applies to Your Career Too

This motto can be related to all types of professional situations:
✔ Attend a new networking event
✔ Record a video for LinkedIn
✔ Write something new for your personal statement
✔ Offer to volunteer your services

By having an ambition and putting yourself out there, you will hopefully reap the rewards.

Let’s Connect Over Coffee ☕

I am really keen to meet people for a coffee (my treat!).

Recently, catching up with like-minded professionals and offering advice has been really rewarding for me.

Or, even if I can:
✔ Link someone up with a key contact
✔ Help with CV writing
✔ Assist with what to say or how to record a video

I will try my best to help.

Ultimately, we should all be smiling and helping one another.

Let’s Make Norfolk a Thriving Place for Collaboration

We are the future. Let’s embrace it.

Joe Randlesome

• Four in ten (39%) businesses believe their profitability will reduce over the next 12 months  
• Fewer businesses are reporting increased sales; only 33% of firms reported increased domestic sales, down from 41% last quarter. 
• Measures for inflation remain at record highs as more than four in five (84%) firms say it is a growing concern for them 

The BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) for Q3 2022 shows a significant decline of key economic indicators, with weakening structural business conditions and confidence a cause for concern.  

The QES is the UK’s largest independent survey of business sentiment and a leading indicator of UK GDP growth. The survey took place between August 22 and September 16, prior to the Government’s energy support package for firms and the mini-budget announcement. 

The survey of over 5,200 firms – 92% of whom are SMEs – reveals there have been significant declines for indicators of business sales, cashflow, and profit expectations.  

All indicators of business conditions and confidence have fallen significantly from Q2 

More businesses are now seeing their cashflow decreasing, instead of increasing. One in three (32%) firms reported reduced cashflow over the last three months, while 23% reported an increase.  

Indicators for business confidence have plummeted; less than half (44%) of firms expect their turnover to increase over the next 12 months, while 25% expect a decrease. Those expecting an increase are down ten percentage points from 54% in Q2.  

Profitability confidence has dropped to an even lower level; only one in three (33%) businesses believe their profits will increase over the coming year, while 39% now expect a decrease. This is the lowest level since Q4 2020 at the height of the Covid crisis. 

Unsurprisingly, firms are not upping investment in their business. Only 22% reported an increase to plant/equipment investment in the past three months, while 57% reported no change, and 22% reported a decrease.   

Business activity is taking a hit, with fewer firms reporting increased sales  

Only 33% of firms reported an increase in domestic sales over the past three months, a sharp decline from the Q2 level of 41%. 24% of firms reported a decrease in sales.  

The outlook is particularly bleak for the retail and wholesale sector. The sector is now in its second quarter of negative territory; with far more businesses reporting a decrease in sales rather than an increase. 25% of retail/wholesale firms reported an increase in domestic sales, while 39% reported a decrease. 

Alongside the retail and wholesale sector, other sectors are also struggling; almost three-quarters (71%) of hospitality businesses reported they are operating below capacity. 

Inflationary pressures are showing no signs of letting up  

The percentage of firms expecting their prices to rise over the coming months (62%) remains close to last quarter’s record high. 84% of firms also cite inflation as a growing concern to their business – by far the highest level on record. A rising proportion (37%) are also worried about interest rates.  

Commenting on the Norfolk results, Nova Fairbank, Chief Executive Office for Norfolk Chambers, said:

“This quarter’s survey results showed that in both the manufacturing and the service sector, 42% of the QES indicators were down on the previous quarter, the last quarter’s results were particularly subdued. 

“Manufacturing export sales and orders are in negative territory and have fallen every quarter since this time last year. A likely result of Brexit and the increased costs of exporting – it is estimated that the cost of exporting has increased by approx. 40%.

“For our service sector, we saw UK sales increase slightly from the last quarter, however, UK orders have been falling since the start of 2021 and continuing to do so. Since the start of 2021, Export sales and orders are negative and are still falling. 

“Recruitment difficulties are being reported by both the manufacturing and the service sector. 

“Confidence in cashflow and turnover are both low and falling. Investment in plant and machinery and training continues to be weak and indicators are dropping – particularly in the service sector.

Both sectors are deeply into negative results when asked about their profitability.

“Similarly, the service sector dropped in Q2 2021 and then a further in this quarter. We can conclude that the cost of living, inflation and fuel and utility costs are biting hard across all our sectors.

“49% of manufacturers and 40% of the services sector are at full capacity.  However, 83% of manufacturers and 56% of service industries are expecting their prices to rise in the next 3 months. For manufacturing, pay settlements, raw material prices, utility bills and fuel costs are the key challenges and for the service sector it is fuel costs and utilities.  Both sectors stated their biggest concern was inflation.

“Many firms are caught in the pincer movement of soaring inflation and rising interest rates. The devaluation of the pound has also added a huge cost base for businesses reliant on imports.  Businesses now desperately need to see economic stability in order to rebuild the confidence to invest.”    

Reacting to the announcement of the new Prime Minister, Nova Fairbank, CEO of Norfolk Chambers, said: “We would like to congratulate Liz Truss on running a successful campaign to become the UK’s new Prime Minister.

“She must now take immediate steps to support the economy. The last few months have been difficult for everyone, time is running out and urgent action is needed to deal with the costs’ crisis.

“We believe the country has already entered a recession and that inflation will hit at least 14% in the months ahead.

“Like households, firms have been telling us of unsustainable rises in their energy bills and how difficult it is to find new fixed term contracts to buffer against further price hikes.

“Unless the new Prime Minister addresses these problems head-on then the economy will drift further into dangerous waters and the outlook for both businesses and consumers will be bleak indeed.

“The British Chambers of Commerce on behalf of the wider Chamber network set out a five-point action plan to support businesses at the end of August and sent it to the Treasury and Liz Truss’ team.  It is now imperative that we see movement on our proposals.

The BCC five-point plan has the full endorsement of Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, which in turn provided evidence from the county’s businesses and is aimed at supporting businesses by: 

1. Ofgem to be given more power to strengthen regulation of the energy market for businesses  
2. Temporary cut in VAT to 5% to reduce energy costs for businesses  
3. Covid-style support by introducing Government Emergency Energy Grant for SMEs  
4. Temporarily reverse employer NIC and put money back into the pockets of businesses and workers 
5. Government to immediately review and reform the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) to help bring down wage pressures and fill staffing vacancies 

“We congratulate Ms Truss on her appointment as Prime Minister and strongly encourage her to adopt the Chamber network’s five-point plan.  The plan is not solely about ensuring support for businesses. It is also about protecting jobs, securing livelihoods, and creating a vibrant and prosperous society for everyone.   Good business is good for Norfolk, and we want to work in collaboration with Ms Truss and her new government to support local businesses, and the individuals that run them, to ride out this economic storm.   

“Similarly, we are keen to ensure that Norfolk benefits from levelling up investment.  At a recent campaign husting in Norwich, Ms Truss advised that, as the MP for South West Norfolk for the last 12 years, she had a strong understanding of the region and its strengths, but also the challenges we face. 

“She promised to deliver levelling up for not just her constituency and Norfolk, but for the whole of East Anglia.  She pledged to look closely at dualling the whole of the A47, as well as considering the commitment to the Norwich Western Link Road and the improvements of Ely railway junction – all of which would support economic growth, housing and jobs in Norfolk.

“Norfolk Chambers and our members look forward to collaborating with our new Prime Minister and her Ministers to deliver greater economic growth and opportunities for our region.”

Image originally supplied for a Dept. of International Trade webinar