On the whole I have been pretty positive about the redundancy thing. It's an opportunity - it's a great way to figure out what you really want to do - you can go to the gym whenever you want.
That's all well and good but there are certainly times when I just miss working. I was always a bit of a workaholic - you know I would always aim to get all that I needed to do done on time no matter what. Getting up and having somewhere to go and something to do each day and the social interaction with colleagues.
Oh and having a nice pay check drop into your account each month - would also be good. Would certainly help out the old finances and mean that I don't have to delve into my savings.
I think the most significant impact of being redundant is when you start to question your own self worth. Maybe there is something not right with me as I'm not securing that all important job. Will my luck ever change? Maybe I am on the scrapheap at 32.
Luckily days like these are few and far between at the 'mo. Should the job hunt thing go on - I fear they will become a bit more frequent.
Friday 31 July 2009
Wednesday 22 July 2009
Stats The Way It Is!
Nothing like a good pun to wile away a dull afternoon. My usual fortnightly visit to the Wood Green Job Centre Plus was today - whoopee. I didn't have to wait around for ages - at least I was seen promptly for a change.
Anyway, I was having a nice chat with the man who was signing off my form today. Turns out that whenever I sign in not only do I have to complete my form saying how I have applied for 3 jobs in 2 weeks (I can do more than that in a mere few hours but that's by the by). Anyway, it now turns out that when I go to sign in I must select 2 jobs from their job search points (basically an online job vacancy database that is so general that it has hardly any marketing roles let alone B2B ones so something that could be construed as rather pointless). I said this to the nice man that 'what's the point if I've applied for lots of jobs through other means'. He said that's what we've been instructed to do by the minister in charge.
So now I will have to go in earlier, scan through a pile of rubbish totally unsuitable jobs, select 2 and print off a slip of paper with them on. Another hurdle to go through and guess what if I don't do it - they'll stop my benefits. That will then mean that I will no longer be one of those unfortunate unemployment statistics and make Mr minister look better and hopefully stay in power for a few moments longer. Using stupid pointless exercises to try and cut the staggering rise in unemployed people seems rather ridiculous to me. Why doesn't Mr minister concentrate on sorting out the economy, providing jobs and proper support to those looking for work. That would be far more beneficial. There is no hiding from the fact that unemployment is spiralling month upon month even if they try and make so many ridiculous demands to try and encourage people to sign off from their books.
The nice man in the jobcentre agreed with my point and said that they had repeatedly stated that the hoop jumping exercises were pointless to the powers that be. Anyway, as I have time on my hands I might just start complaining to Mr Minister - nothing like a good rant.
Anyway, I was having a nice chat with the man who was signing off my form today. Turns out that whenever I sign in not only do I have to complete my form saying how I have applied for 3 jobs in 2 weeks (I can do more than that in a mere few hours but that's by the by). Anyway, it now turns out that when I go to sign in I must select 2 jobs from their job search points (basically an online job vacancy database that is so general that it has hardly any marketing roles let alone B2B ones so something that could be construed as rather pointless). I said this to the nice man that 'what's the point if I've applied for lots of jobs through other means'. He said that's what we've been instructed to do by the minister in charge.
So now I will have to go in earlier, scan through a pile of rubbish totally unsuitable jobs, select 2 and print off a slip of paper with them on. Another hurdle to go through and guess what if I don't do it - they'll stop my benefits. That will then mean that I will no longer be one of those unfortunate unemployment statistics and make Mr minister look better and hopefully stay in power for a few moments longer. Using stupid pointless exercises to try and cut the staggering rise in unemployed people seems rather ridiculous to me. Why doesn't Mr minister concentrate on sorting out the economy, providing jobs and proper support to those looking for work. That would be far more beneficial. There is no hiding from the fact that unemployment is spiralling month upon month even if they try and make so many ridiculous demands to try and encourage people to sign off from their books.
The nice man in the jobcentre agreed with my point and said that they had repeatedly stated that the hoop jumping exercises were pointless to the powers that be. Anyway, as I have time on my hands I might just start complaining to Mr Minister - nothing like a good rant.
Monday 20 July 2009
Psychometric Testing Sucks
Yes it certainly does. Why oh why should I be tested like I was a good 15 years ago in school? What is the point in assessing whether or not I can do calculations like ratios etc? It's stuff that I have never really had to use in an office and when I have had at least I had time on my side to check and double check my answers.
Aarrggghhh, the verbal reasoning online test I just sat was OK or at least I completed it within the time limit and could see where it was coming from. The mathematical one was a 'mare. My mind could not compute what they were after even with my speedy expert texting fingers making smoke on my calculator. My brain could not decipher those numbers at the necessary speed. 2 mins left and I still had a 3rd of the test left. Needless to say I guessed the last load of questions. Maybe this is the strategy I should have used throughout and may have been more successful. Who knows - I will be awaiting to see if I make it forward to the next hoop jumping part of this job process. But maybe I will be cast aside due to new found mathematical incompetence and verbal reasoning illiteracy! :)
Who cares quite frankly - not really fussed by this job it does have to be said.
Aarrggghhh, the verbal reasoning online test I just sat was OK or at least I completed it within the time limit and could see where it was coming from. The mathematical one was a 'mare. My mind could not compute what they were after even with my speedy expert texting fingers making smoke on my calculator. My brain could not decipher those numbers at the necessary speed. 2 mins left and I still had a 3rd of the test left. Needless to say I guessed the last load of questions. Maybe this is the strategy I should have used throughout and may have been more successful. Who knows - I will be awaiting to see if I make it forward to the next hoop jumping part of this job process. But maybe I will be cast aside due to new found mathematical incompetence and verbal reasoning illiteracy! :)
Who cares quite frankly - not really fussed by this job it does have to be said.
Sunday 19 July 2009
Networking, Networking, Networking
It's certainly the buzzword of our times and according to my career coach - one of the most effective ways of getting that all important job.
I am a bit of a strange character of sorts and at times can be a demon networker and others be a shrinking violet in the corner who just wants to go home. All these observations were confirmed by psychometric testing in the past year - I have a personality of extremes and not one typical for a marketer.
Anyway, I digress yet again. In terms of networking I've been focusing on 2 things - attending things connected with fundraising which I ideally want to move into. The other is the online networking side of things.
In terms of face to face networking I tend to give myself a goal each time or else I'd just skulk away with nothing. It normally comprises talking to x amount of people or asking a question etc. Nothing drastic but at least something. I am building up a nice little network of friends so it is working. Plus some of them even email me links to jobs that they hear of which is fab.
I did do a very funny thing though - please bear in mind that one of my nicknames is 'blond'. Kind of apt apart from the fact that I am very dark all over including my general skin tone. I was at a networking thing and was explaining what I'd been up to that day. I managed to say that "I'd been running in the woods under a canape so I hadn't got caught in the rain". It was one of those where I heard what I'd said and started to laugh as did they. At least now I'll always be remembered as the canape girl.
I am a bit of a strange character of sorts and at times can be a demon networker and others be a shrinking violet in the corner who just wants to go home. All these observations were confirmed by psychometric testing in the past year - I have a personality of extremes and not one typical for a marketer.
Anyway, I digress yet again. In terms of networking I've been focusing on 2 things - attending things connected with fundraising which I ideally want to move into. The other is the online networking side of things.
In terms of face to face networking I tend to give myself a goal each time or else I'd just skulk away with nothing. It normally comprises talking to x amount of people or asking a question etc. Nothing drastic but at least something. I am building up a nice little network of friends so it is working. Plus some of them even email me links to jobs that they hear of which is fab.
I did do a very funny thing though - please bear in mind that one of my nicknames is 'blond'. Kind of apt apart from the fact that I am very dark all over including my general skin tone. I was at a networking thing and was explaining what I'd been up to that day. I managed to say that "I'd been running in the woods under a canape so I hadn't got caught in the rain". It was one of those where I heard what I'd said and started to laugh as did they. At least now I'll always be remembered as the canape girl.
Thursday 16 July 2009
Interviews - now just where is that hoop!
OK - I am chuffed that I managed to get 2 interviews this week. No mean feat in the current climate. Just 4 weeks into my job search so have to keep on going on that endless treadmill of applications.
Hhhmm, interview number one was the job that I wanted. It was a role in fundraising for a university. Of course there were many hoops to jump through. A 20 mins written test, a 10 min presentation (about developing a fundraising strategy), followed by a 3 panel interview. OK, that was a pretty intense process for someone who hasn't worked since the beginning of April. I was shattered once it was done but also somewhat elated. Anyway, I thought I performed well but what do I know? Needless to say I had the thanks but no thanks email waiting for me by lunchtime the next day.
Interview number 2 almost got off to a bad start. I was running late or at least I thought I was. Turns out the recruitment agent gave me the wrong time - half an hour too soon. So the fact that I rang the interviewer to apologise for running late was news to him. Turns out my mad dash from the tube to get there was unnecessary. I didn't need to work up a thin layer of sweat after all! Ho hum, the interview went fine. The upshot is the role is busy and technically I would be selling my soul to the devil. I would have no life but earn lots. One to ponder - that is if they want me in the 1st place.
Hhhmm, interview number one was the job that I wanted. It was a role in fundraising for a university. Of course there were many hoops to jump through. A 20 mins written test, a 10 min presentation (about developing a fundraising strategy), followed by a 3 panel interview. OK, that was a pretty intense process for someone who hasn't worked since the beginning of April. I was shattered once it was done but also somewhat elated. Anyway, I thought I performed well but what do I know? Needless to say I had the thanks but no thanks email waiting for me by lunchtime the next day.
Interview number 2 almost got off to a bad start. I was running late or at least I thought I was. Turns out the recruitment agent gave me the wrong time - half an hour too soon. So the fact that I rang the interviewer to apologise for running late was news to him. Turns out my mad dash from the tube to get there was unnecessary. I didn't need to work up a thin layer of sweat after all! Ho hum, the interview went fine. The upshot is the role is busy and technically I would be selling my soul to the devil. I would have no life but earn lots. One to ponder - that is if they want me in the 1st place.
Saturday 11 July 2009
Are Interviews Like Buses?
Well, maybe they just are. Don't see one for a while and then 2 come along at once. Yes, that's right, I have 2 interviews. One is non-marketing which I am rather excited about - it's to do fundraising for a university and the other is a bid manager role so not too dissimilar to the things that I did before.
The main bummer is that the said interviews are back to back. I ideally wanted a bit more of a gap so that I can prepare for them but that just isn't going to happen.
The fundraising role is precisely what I want to do but it is located 1hr 40 mins away from where I live so moving would have to be part of the deal. Moving is no bigger really as I can still get into London pretty easily.
The main bummer is that the said interviews are back to back. I ideally wanted a bit more of a gap so that I can prepare for them but that just isn't going to happen.
The fundraising role is precisely what I want to do but it is located 1hr 40 mins away from where I live so moving would have to be part of the deal. Moving is no bigger really as I can still get into London pretty easily.
Sunday 5 July 2009
Recruitment agents - friend or foe?
Hhmm - I am not entirely sure on the response to this question but currently am veering towards the foe sided response.
Having just completed week 3 of my hunt for work, I have seen more recruitment agents than you can shake a stick at. Looking for potential roles in marketing role (where I have traditionally worked) and ones in charity fundraising (a potential career I would like to move into) - I have 2 CV's. This means that I have to post applications to 2 sets of recruitment agents.
Not being wet behind the ears, I fully appreciate that agents ultimately need strong candidates to field to their employers and they earn lots of dosh for placing you in the process.
What I have learnt about recruiters?
Just because they call you in all excited to "come in for a chat", it doesn't actually mean that they have a potential role for you.
A few have actually interviewed me and then said "we have no roles for you. However, can you name your old employers competitors and then I can approach them on your behalf?". This line has happened quite a few times and worries me immensely as follows:
Having just completed week 3 of my hunt for work, I have seen more recruitment agents than you can shake a stick at. Looking for potential roles in marketing role (where I have traditionally worked) and ones in charity fundraising (a potential career I would like to move into) - I have 2 CV's. This means that I have to post applications to 2 sets of recruitment agents.
Not being wet behind the ears, I fully appreciate that agents ultimately need strong candidates to field to their employers and they earn lots of dosh for placing you in the process.
What I have learnt about recruiters?
Just because they call you in all excited to "come in for a chat", it doesn't actually mean that they have a potential role for you.
A few have actually interviewed me and then said "we have no roles for you. However, can you name your old employers competitors and then I can approach them on your behalf?". This line has happened quite a few times and worries me immensely as follows:
- As a specialist recruiter in professional services I would expect you to know my previous firms competitors - esp as they were a large well established firm.
- If you don't know that part of the market, you obviously would not have firmly established contacts in that firm. Where exactly would you be adding value to my job search? I am happy for them to approach competitors where they do have established relationships though as it may be beneficial. But I do object to them wanting to use my CV as a way to get their foot into new potential hirers. This smacks of them being desperate for new jobs and using any means they deem necessary to find new contacts in a fiercely competitive market place.
- As a seasoned marketer I would hope that I had the skills and capabilities to approach the immediate competitor firms directly, if it's something that I want to explore.
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