A KEYWORTH man who stood on a roundabout wearing a sandwich board asking people to give him a job has now found work.
Martin Bailey, who is working for Asda, has encouraged other job-seekers to be resourceful and take what comes their way.
Mr Bailey, who drew attention in January when he took to the London Road roundabout with a sign reading "Quality Worker Seeks Job; Honk If You Can Help", found work shortly after.
But the job did not come about as a result of the sign.
"No jobs came of it," he said. "I'm working as an Asda delivery man now. It was just a normal application."
Mr Bailey, who also volunteers with a charity each week, said job-seekers shouldn't be picky.
"If you get the chance at a job, take it, even if it's not what you want because it shows you're a worker," he said, adding that volunteering is also a good idea. "You can train up and you get to meet people."
The 51-year-old father-of-two volunteers for the British Red Cross fire and emergency support service. He learned about the group – which goes to scenes of serious house fires with a mobile home and provides a safe environment for people affected by the blaze – from another Asda worker.
After being made redundant from a civil service job, Mr Bailey opened a fancy dress shop in West Bridgford, but he struggled to keep it going and took to the street with his sign shortly after it closed.
He says he is grateful to the supermarket giant for taking him on.
"A lot of places won't look at you if you're over 50, but Asda does," he said.
A spokesperson for Asda said: "At Asda we're very clear that having a diverse workforce isn't a box-ticking exercise – it makes business sense.
"It's been proven that businesses with a diverse pool of talent perform better. We're delighted to have enthusiastic, customer-focused colleagues at any stage of life."
Mr Bailey takes satisfaction from a job that gets him out into the community
He said: "I like the job, meeting people and doing a bit of physical work. I like to chat to the people and be friendly. I believe it helps the brand."
