Recruiters open new front for top brass

THE outplacement consultants are hardly short of clients as the recession continues, but they are always on the lookout for new recruits. And with the controversial armed forces cuts gathering pace, they look like attracting a few takers, writes Alison Eadie.

Pauline Hyde & Associates, retained by the Institute of Directors to help displaced directors find new jobs, has offered its services to members of the forces. Officers of the rank of major and above may now join the IoD as associate members and use the outplacement programme. So far a brigadier, a colonel and a lieutenant-colonel have used the service, and two were placed in jobs within two months.

James Elson, managing director of Pauline Hyde, said the military were highly trained and had excellent leadership qualities. 'We have to build a bridge between what they've done and the commercial world,' he said.

Their skills could be used as secretaries of large organisations, in charities, in marketing on the defence side, in the security industry, as non-executive directors, in personnel and a range of other roles.

Available at a number of levels and a range of costs - pounds 2,000 to pounds 6,000 - all programmes include psychometric assessment. Qualified occupational psychologists help job-seeking directors to recognise their limitations and identify their strengths.

Mr Elson said it was particularly helpful for younger people.

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