FATHER-of-two Martin Bailey knew he had to do something drastic to get his foot back on the employment ladder.
Only days after losing his livelihood, the 50-year-old, of Keyworth, was determined to get back into work as soon as possible.
He braved bitter temperatures standing on the roundabout off London Road yesterday morning, wearing a sandwich board which read 'Quality Worker Seeks Job; Honk If You Can Help.'
Mr Bailey closed his West Bridgford business at the weekend after a fall in sales.
He said: "I was made redundant a year ago from my job in the civil service. So I used the money to set up my own business in Exchange Road in West Bridgford, called Crazy Fun Fancy Dress.
"But it was a struggle since the day we opened and I had to shut up shop last Saturday."
But Mr Bailey refused to be down in the dumps. Instead he took his fate into his own hands and appealed for a job during yesterday morning's rush hour.
He was planning to do the same today, between 8am and 9am.
He added: "I don't want to be unemployed.
"I thought I will show my initiative, get up first thing in the morning in the cold and get myself out there rather than standing in the dole queue.
"I felt a bit stupid to start with and it was bitterly cold, but I handed out at least half a dozen business cards yesterday and hopefully this will all end in a job."
Mr Bailey says his main skills are customer service and administration.
He added: "I like working with people and teaching – I've done a bit of mentoring which has been very successful. I'm also brilliant at customer service and admin."
While he stood in the cold yesterday, Mr Bailey was spotted by James Calder, director of Macildowie Recruitment which is based in Castle Gate.
Mr Calder said: "I saw Mr Bailey standing in the cold and admired his initiative.
"A member of staff went down to see him yesterday and gave him our card, so hopefully we can give him some advice about finding a suitable job."
To offer Mr Bailey a job contact him via e-mail at martino920@hotmail.com and let Emily Winsor know on 0115 9051951 or e-mail emily.winsor@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk.