Are e-jobs e-vaporating?

By BBC News Online's Ryan Dilley

The troubles of internet sportswear retailer Boo.com have not sent jitters though the growing ranks of the new media recruitment agencies it seems.

No sooner had the London-based e-tailer called in the receivers, than their headquarters staff were besieged by eager headhunters with offers of new employment.

Vincent Sheppard, managing director of recruiter NewMedia HR, says Boo's problems are just a blip in the fortunes of UK e-commerce.

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"The money is out there, the opportunity is out there. Online marketing is here to stay."

Mr Sheppard claims his company has already been approached by Boo employees, despite speculation Boo will find a buyer.

He doubts workers will have difficulty finding new jobs should the e-tailer fold.

"People on the editorial side and the sales side have learned some very valuable lessons. This industry is so young, that people with six months or a year's experience are thought of as old hands."

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The dole queues won't be troubled by a rash of webmasters, developers and content editors as e-commerce crumbles, says Mr Sheppard.

"Things like Boo are part of a natural culling process. There has to be restructuring in the industry. Some companies have failed, but there are a lot of new companies coming up."

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But just as talk of the e-commerce "bubble" bursting has sobered investors to the realities of this new market, potential employees may also be given a wake-up call.

"We'll start to see wiser and warier candidates. When they apply to a company they'll ask: 'Do they have the right funding? Do they have backing? Do they have a long-term strategy?'"

The end of the e-commerce "gold rush" may also see those employees best suited to the sector thrive, as those in it for a quick buck fall by the wayside.

No different

Paul Whapham, MD of recruitment firm NetSelect, says that despite the hype, e-trade is no different to any other business.

"I'm sure the people at Boo, if they're any good, will get jobs. If they're not good, they won't."

Talk of e-commerce as a gravy train for employees also cuts little ice with Mr Whapham.

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"It's just like any other sector. There are sharp employers who want to get value for money from their staff, and others willing to pay above the odds."

Mr Whapham says the high-profile Boo collapse is a "so what?" story. Having the company's name on your CV, even for senior managers, shouldn't be a problem.

"I hope the American attitude to e-commerce is seeping into Britain. It's better to have failed than not to have tried at all."

Mr Sheppard is less sure. Those at the top of a failed e-company may be more damaged by that failure than their staff, he says.

Question time

"Senior managers have to ask themselves serious questions about why things went wrong."

Many outside the industry were surprised that a company only set up 18 months ago should have a UK workforce of 250.

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Mr Sheppard says heavy recruitment has been a key feature of e-commerce so far.

"Companies say: 'We're first to the market, let's make an impact.' There's been a lot of pressure on internet firms to have a high profile straightaway."

To be taken seriously by potential backers, these e-companies have felt it vital to have a full complement of "key people" on aboard from the start, Mr Sheppard says.

If nothing else, the fall of Boo might change attitudes to cramming the office from day one, but there seems little doubt talented e-ployees will always find a desk to darken.