What was it that Norman Tebbit said about how his Dad 'got on his bike' during the 30s recession and looked for work. Well Jason Fruen (that's him on the right) took a similar DIY to finding a job - only with a 'sandwich board' - which ended up with him finding gainful employment (and a lot of publicity besides!) with a leading CV spares and replacement parts supplier. HGV Direct, whose Manchester branch is based on Warren Road in Trafford Park, offered Jason Fruen (40) a job as parts sales advisor after managing director Simon Smedley and his wife read about his story. And click through here to see what they story was!
Jason, a mechanical engineer by trade, was made redundant in September last year and with a mortgage to pay decided to advertise his services by standing on the side of the M60 wearing a sandwich board.He did secure a temporary contract, but when this ended he donned his sandwich board again - and was featured on BBC News, as well as in the Daily Mail, the Sun, the Mirror, the Daily Express and Manchester Evening News. Jason, takes up the story for BLB: "Being made redundant is very demoralising and I quickly realised that because of the financial climate literally hundreds of people were applying for each job. The bills don't stop, so I thought it would be a good idea to advertise my skills - I was amazed at all the media attention, but it certainly helped my cause."
Meanwhile, HGV Direct was preparing to open their new branch in Manchester, but had been unable to find parts sales advisors. James Meaney, the north west sales manager of HGV Direct explains that when Jason's story hit the headlines, he and Simon were impressed by Jason's tenacity and immediately invited him to apply for the position. "We were very by impressed the fact that Jason was prepared to go to such great lengths to find a job and ensure his family's long term security. He came for an interview and his desire to work really made him stand out. I'm delighted that he chose to join HGV Direct because I know he had impressed other employers too and had a number of offers on the table," says James.
Jason initially underwent a trial at HGV Direct's branch in Buxton, Derbyshire and then moved to the Manchester branch, which opened in partnership with commercial vehicle repairer The Hulme Group. The branch is pioneering a new business model for HGV Direct, providing truck operators throughout the Northwest with a genuine parts service 24 hours a day from Monday to Friday.
In his new role as parts sales advisor Jason is responsible for customer service, part sales, stock management and all other aspects of the management of the branch.
"I'm delighted that the sandwich board proved so successful and helped me to get the job here at HGV Direct - but I've hung it up now and hope I won't be needing it again!" he tells BLB.
"The role at HGV Direct is very different from my previous work as a Mechanical Engineer, but I'm really enjoying it. Naturally, there's a lot to learn as we stock thousands of different parts for all makes of vehicles, but I'm definitely getting the hang of it. I'm really enjoying the challenge of fulfilling customers orders so they can get back on the road as quickly as possible."
And James adds: "Since joining us Jason has proved to be an extremely motivated individual, who works well using his own initiative which can only help us as we work to establish and grow the Manchester branch."
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