The Politics of Work

Why is the world of work sullied so much by politics? It's not just a case of doing a great job.  It's being seen to be doing a great job by the right people. If you don't shout and catch the attention of the right people your days may be numbered.

Being out of the work scene for half of this year I had forgotten about the games that you need to play in order to succeed.  Personally I think it's all a load of bull and why can't people appreciate what others do?  Is it that the world  of work has been sullied by the recession so everyone is fighting for their jobs, position and status. Actually, where I work is undergoing a major restructure so senior level people are jostling for position and one of the easiest ways to position yourself seems to be to stick the boot into marketing.  What do you do all day?  How come you can't do more? What are you doing for me?  There seems to be a never-ending list of what can be achieved by a very small, transient (most on 6 mth contracts if that) and in the main junior team.

Anyway, it's been a crazy few weeks where the real bones of the firm are starting to reveal themselves to me.  Now that my rose tinted glasses are starting to fade a tad, it's becoming apparent that actually where I work is not really any different to all of the other large firms that I have worked for.  People at the top who don't necessarily know what they are doing but are born sales people who use their silver tongued prowess to always come out on top.  To be honest if that is what the senior echelons of management are, I am not entirely convinced that it is for me.  I like delivering projects and getting on with delivering projects.

All I can do is take the next few months as they come and keep an open mind for whatever roles may appear on the horizon.

The Good and the Bad of Marketing

Being back in the world of work has inspired my mind again which is great.  I have to admit that with the in work/out of work shenanigans of the past few years my love for what I do was starting to wane.

In the past few days, I have seen some good marketing and some very very bad marketing. 

The Good

Lots of things have caught my eye of late including Google's Live Advent Calendar Campaign where a fully integrated campaign that culminates in you getting clues online and then heading to find a real door in town to win stuff. Geeennniiuuusss idea.  Properly creative and fun too which sits well with their brand positioning.

The Bad 

On the bus to boxing class the other day and passed through Brixton High Street.  So many payday loan companies have sprouted up these day with crazy interest rates that often equate to 1700%, a bad financial decision if ever there was one.  Looking at one of the shops which had a marketing ploy that was quite frankly sickening.  There was someone dressed up as Father Christmas giving out balloons to kids and inviting them into the grotto inside the money lending shop.  Parents therefore have no choice but to go in there as they're sneakily targeting kids.  Viewing that on the bus just turned my stomach as that is such a low way to ultimately try to encourage poor people to get into even more debt.  No doubt the instore Santa will be filling the kids heads with talk of what they want for Christmas and thus placing ridiculous pressure on parents who then feel obliged to find the money for the desired gifts.  And guess what, they just happen to be in a place where they can get that money.  The Government must clampdown on these operations soon. Currently,  they are booming as we are the 'want it now generation'.

Govt to announce £1bn Youth Contract

The Government has announced a new £1bn pot of cash to get young people into work called the 'Youth Contract'.  The idea is that they pay half the salary of someone doing an apprenticeship scheme.  So far so good.  As a country with young unemployment now topping at about 1 million people something must be done.  We can't have a generation that are so dejected with life, the world and society that they effectively drop out of view. We can't risk exasperating the gap between rich and the poor by condemning many to a life of benefits and having to be wheeling and dealing to survive.

The idea of this scheme sounds good by effectively encouraging employers to take a chance on hiring the young. But there are a few things about the scheme that do worry me:

- Where are the safeguards that the training will be up to an adequate standard - internships, apprenticeships and the like do sometimes have a reputation for effectively offering employers cheap labour that they can flog to death for a certain period. Once that person is burnt out bring they  can simply bring in the next ones.  Don't get me wrong though, there are good schemes and firms out there and people who move onto fulfilling roles.

- If you drop out we stop benefits, if you do such and such we stop benefits - Taking my point first point above. If through no fault of yours you end up with a bad placement and for legitimate reasons decide to quit you would not be entitled to benefits.  This again smacks of the Government  using what in many ways seems like a good scheme as a way to massage the job figures down.  If you sign up and then discover it's not working for you you are well and truly scuppered.  I do admit that there are work shy people out there who do not want to work so making sure that they do not just drop out as they can't be bothered is important too.

I have two nephews aged 26 and 24.  I have helped them rewrite CVs and shared my knowledge about job hunting. The thing that struck me was that no one was helping them.  No one said what was best practice  or showed them how to draft a captivating CV that hits an employers button.  A CV with one word bullet points tells me nothing about what you can do for an employer.  With my tips my nephew started to get lots more interviews and he got a job. 

Our job centres are a mere box ticking exercise and they do not have staff with the skills to advise people properly, schemes for young people such as Connexions which helped them to find jobs in an increasingly tough market have been cut so it's no wonder youth unemployment is rising and will continue to do so. Good advice and support will help young people compete.

That Hidden Downside

I have learnt so much in the past year from  how to exercise properly; to how to arrange a funeral or how best to hunt down work and secure those elusive interviews. But sometimes something just crops up that really makes you stop and think. That thing for me was reading Stylist Magazine last week which had the most inspirational feature in it. It was a piece written by a 30 year old PR girl called Laura.  Laura has recently been diagnosed with a blood cancer called Hodgkins Lymphoma, a type of blood cancer.  She has started writing a blog to capture her fight as that life threatening disease.

Of course a blog chronicling an intensely horrific treatment such as chemotherapy is humbling as you really cannot understand the impact that this hugely invasive course of treatment has on someone. But Laura's warts and all blog gives some amazing insights.

The other thing that resonated with me was the fact that Laura in the recently bought a flat, developed a successful career and as a result of that set herself up as a freelance consultant.  Her life had been going swimmingly until she had her shock diagnosis. Now she is not only having to battle cancer but also having to figure out how she is going to cope financially.  To me this showed the hidden downside of being freelance.  Unless you plan for that rainy day so if you have a period when you are cannot work - how would you survive?  Having these contingencies in place is vital or else you too could find yourself becoming unstuck.  

When my mum was ill with blood cancer she had those similar types of money concerns and to be honest really she should have been focussing on fighting the disease.  If you own a property you are not eligible for housing benefit and may get a small handout from a charity like Macmillan.  For many the bank of mum and dad or savings are just not there so what next? Laura sadly didn't get mortgage insurance as she was young carefree and healthy - if only she'd had the hindsight of a crystal ball. Let that be a lesson to us all and especially to those who are having to embark on that freelance employment route during this crazy economic times.

The Contract Generation

I love being back in work. Having a reason to get up everyday cannot be underestimates.   But I am a bit of a ponderer so have been thinking about what I have acheived so far and waht else I want to achieve in my life.  Guess it's all part of being a 34 year old women and that perenniel clock that's ticking somewhere in the back of my mind.

Since being made redundant 2 years ago and being unemployed for the past 8 months means that in many ways my life has been on hold.  The saving to buy a house and doing those grown up things that are a bit important for someone who is heading towards the mid 30s zone. I am pretty tough on myself  especially as in many ways anything that happens in my life is down to me - no partner to gee me one or share things with.

Plus I also can't help it and compare myself to others.  I know I shouldn't but it's blinking hard not to. I guess I want those 'normal' things, my own home, a partner and who knows with all that lot. I am not that naive to believe that life is always greener on the other side but I can't help what I want.

Anyway, as I'm writing this, it really occurred to be that I am part of the contract generation. The other week i was listening to the radio and it was said that people nowadays can only get personal loans from their own bank these days.  Mainly because they can rifle thought your existing accounts to have a precise idea of all your incomings and outgoings. Rather Big Brotheresq really.

I took the plunge and tried to apply for a loan to cover some of the estate related things that I need to do.  As someone who has never applied for a loan and in the height of enhanced credit checks I was astounded by the level of detail needed.  They basically went through my current account for 3 months and asked me on the phone what each payment was for, what loans I had, credit cards the lot.  As I was not looking for a mortgage, more a 1 year small loan this did strike of being highly intrusive and also in some ways overkill.  I have never had to explain my financial affairs in some much detail to an institution before so it certainly was an eye opener.

Cutting to the chase, I was rejected due to me being on a 6 month contract. This made me realise that without a perm role, it is going to be hard to get credit and to buy a place and do all those life stepping stones that I would like to conquer in the next few years.  I certainly am not the only one in this boat.  Tough times.

The Highs and the Lows of Work

Sadly money doesn't grow on trees 

Well, I've rejoined the world of work for a month now so time for that all important one month reflection. Or just another excuse for me to make another list.

Plus points

Payday - Woo hoo my first pay day is on Friday.  My bank account won't know what's hit it - eight months of a pay cheque drought has left it feeling a tad thirsty.

Company - Boy I've missed office banter, after work drinks in the pub and just being able to interact with people during the day.

Eye Candy - Always had a penchant for a geek so heading back into the world of engineering is a chance for me to indulge in my obsession.  New men to ogle now and then when the report I am writing starts to get a tad boring.

Halting My Brain Drain - Job hunting is not the most mentally stimulating thing to do.  So it's good to be in a role where my brain is being used and in some cases stretched. I do love problem solving so having to do research and figure things out is getting my old brain cells working.


The Not So Plus Points
Daytime exercise - The gym during the day (aside from lunchtime) is a much more serene place.  The musclebound meatheads who measure their biceps are still about but at least you can get to the weights machine.  Plus the tennis courts are more or less empty so no stray balls and you can just turn up and play.

Being able to do anything when ya want - Have to admit the freedom of not having to work 9 -5 will be missed.  Fancy watching a movie, get a call to do something straight away, watching car crash daytime tv - the Real Housewives of Orange County Season 6 how I miss thee; all things that you can factor in when out of work. When I go full time in the coming weeks I will certainly miss this last minute freedom as days off will have to be taken as holiday.

Enthusiastic Grads - I so need to get back into a state where enthusiastic puppies/grads and their overinflated sense of experience and knowledge roll off me like Teflon.  Why oh why does every little thing have to be debated to the nth degree.  I blame the recession for wiping out middle management and giving the puppies way too much business exposure.

Anyway, apart from a few minor niggles actually being in a position where I earn money is great. I'm on a 6 month contract but in these challenging times that certainly is not something to be sniffed at.

The Economic Storm Clouds Are Gathering

So unemployment is up. Stock markets are still continuing to freefall and the economy overall is flat lining.  It really is not good news for the UK. Our confidence is at such a low ebb that it is quite frankly scary.

Reading the various unemployment reports on the BBC, it's woman and young people that are making up the brunt of the rises.   Government cuts are necessary but services that are designed to help people get back into work, support them to set up on their own and help to guide young people along the right career path are too essential to cut.

Regular readers of this blog know that I am not the biggest supporter of the job centre as it is merely a box ticking exercise designed to make people jump through hoops for just shy of £60 a week.  I'm not that disillusioned to think that all those out of work actually want to get back into work but for those that will proper support is a must.  The types of things that would work would be:

• How to write a killer CV
• How to look for a job (online and using your own networks)
• Who are you - looking at your skills, strengths and where you wanna be - always think that this self analysis stuff is so easily overlooked
• Shoe shopping - ok this one is pure vanity as I like a nice pair of shoes but appearance and feeling confident all helps and acts as bodyarmour when you are about embark on the interview 'battle'
• Interview skills and how to prep for them properly

The volatility of the global markets could well plunge us back into recession which would be a scary prospect.  This would result in even more people heading towards the dole queue so the Government needs to make sure that the right support is out there so that people aren't left to fester, become despondent and ultimately unemployable in the longer term. 

London On Lockdown - Riots and mindless vandalism

One of the most defining images of the past week

London has gone into lockdown mode. As a Londoner born and bred the last few days in the city that I call home have been very very depressing indeed.  Never in a month of Sundays would I have believed that riots would have engulfed the city and now even start spreading like pockets of wildfire across the country.

The rioters who have run amok across our city do not have just cause or reason for what they have done.  Most of them have no idea who Mark Duggan is so there is no excuse for what can only be termed as blatant vandalism and looting.  A generation of people thinking that the world owes them something for nothing have now taken this mantle to a ridiculous level.

 "We're looting cos we've got no money" - then why not do what everyone else does get an education then get a job then work your way up the ladder from the bottom.  Only a lucky few walk in on high level salaries and the vast majority of people have to work blinking hard to make it in life.

"We're going against the corporates and the police" - what bollocks. You are only targeting electrical stores, supermarkets and sports apparel shops, e.g. stores with things that you and your peers want, spanning from booze to ipods and the latest trainers. That is not about justice or teaching anyone a lesson, it's blatant stealing. If you're so against corporates you'd abandon brands altogether and return back to a more simple way of life living off the land.

"We work hard and we pay too much in tax" - Really?!  Not sure that a) most of you are actually old enough to work b) of those that are I have a feeling that many of you may be part of the serial unemployed who I had to mingle with each week for the past few months in the jobcentre. e.g. you don't actually want to work as benefits, petty crime and housing benefit is what your life is about - you have no interest in working. Don't kid yourself or us that you do.

"We're getting back at the bankers" - Crap, the past week has seen one of the biggest drops in global stock markets but this colossal news that may ultimately impact on every single one of us is not being given the prominence that it deserves due to the blatant thuggery that is presiding in our streets. The Government should really be working on our economic recovery not  figuring out how to bring calm to our streets. Hopefully this necessary diversion will not impact on our economy too much.

"We're just bored - it's those Government cuts" - Life is what you make it so this reason also doesn't resonate with me.  Read a book from the library, play in the park, see friends - those were the types of things that I did as a child as we didn't have much money.

It's been weird and lots of us just do not feel safe.  Flooding London with 16000 policeman is not sustainable in the long term so lord knows what the solution to this will be.  I completely believe that those who have looted should be held to account  for their actions.  Burning down businesses, homes and putting fear into local communities really does stick two fingers up at society so we should do the same to them. We must fight back against this type of intolerable behaviour.

Parents need to step up and be parents.  7 year olds should be tucked up in bed not out looting at 3am in the morning. Young people should have respect for law and order and understand that no one is entitled to the best trainers, the best clothes etc.  You work hard and then you earn the right to play hard. Simple as.

Got One - The Wonders of Rejoining The World of Work

"Woo hoo" in true Vicky from Realhousewives style

Well, having gone through lots and lots of interviews has finally paid off.  Overqualified, under qualified, not the right fit, having the wrong shaped head etc!; I have finally got a job.

Being selective has worked and I've nabbed a role in the construction sector; no mean feat in this current downturn. My role is starting of part time and will be reviewed at the end of August, this suits me fine as I can gently ease myself back into work and still have time to sort out the heaps of stuff that needs sorting with dad's estate.

I started last week and it does have to be said that I had forgotten the horror of rush hour.   Hot, sweaty cattle trucks, that's the Northern line to me.  Think my plan will be to leave half an hour earlier and hopefully this will be a more pleasant journey.

The other thing that I have had to get used to is focusing my mind for a whole working day.  My days of afternoon naps will now be a rarity and watching "The Real Housewives of Orange County" and season six starts this Wednesday.

So What Are You Worth?

One of the things that my epic job search has thrown up is the salary debate.  What am I worth?  What are others with comparable skills worth? What are those with less skills worth?  And even more importantly what will employers pay?This debate is so wide open as there are so many factors that influence how salaries are determined.
One of my friends has had to recruit a number of junior level staff in the past few months and the types of demands she has been getting are something of an eye opener.  If you want to get rich marketing in professional services firms is not going to make you super rich but they're nothing to be sniffed at either.  As companies are now on the up following the recession many are having to stump up more and more dough to keep people or inflated job titles so that people stay put just that little bit longer.
Lots of people with very little marketing experience (under 3 years) are now so delusional that they think they should command salaries in the mid 30's+ range.  Not being funny but for a junior marketing role where the buck ultimately won't stop with them that is just plain greedy.  What is the world coming too?  I guess some people nowadays have inflated egos and have lost sight of reality - something I think applies to lots of aspects of life not just salaries.
With my job hunt the salary debate has been interesting.  I am happy to drop a few k for the right role but some agents have wanted to me to drop almost £10k which would set me back years in terms of clawing my way back to where I was.  Others have said things like the salary bracket has a 10K variation and if the client offers towards the lower end you would have to take it - never heard such a ridiculous statement in my life.  The interview process is a bit like dating - a two way thing including the negotiation part.  Come to think of it if I see dating like that maybe that's why I'm always the single one :).
Anyway, take a look at some of the salary surveys  to get a view on what is going on out there.  Most of the recruiters do an annual thing each year namely as a way to have more evidence in order to turn up the heat so that people get more and more money and they get more and more commission.

200 NOTW Staff Made Redundant Right or Wrong?

Wow, what a crazy few days.  It has to be said that I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw a newsfeed NOTW to close this Sunday.  My Sunday's will change forever. What will now be my newspaper of choice?  I can't become a cardigan wearing middle England type Mail on Sunday reader even if the You supplement is nice.

The thing that has struck me though is not just the appalling activities of a few immoral people but the huge knock-on effect it has had on people who ultimately were not involved. Of course my condolences go to the families whose privacy was so intrusively trampled on. But my sympathy also goes out to those 200 or so NOTW staff who through no fault of their own directly are facing redundancy.

How must they feel as the main person who presided over this era not only has scaled the ranks to the top of the News Corp tree but also is the only one who will remain in place keeping her job. Not only are the soon to be redundant staff in shock at the loss of their job but in a predicament where they probably can't stick their head above the pulpit and voice their anger as it may prove detrimental to any settlement they receive and Rupert M is ruthless enough to take them to the cleaners by hiring the best lawyers  in the land to protect his company.

Being subject to a 90 day consultation period may be a good way for News International to stop any dissent. Also any redundnacy payouts will certainly be clouded in confidentiality agreements in terms of talking outwardly to the public and stifle freedom of speech that the NOTW so staunchly campaigned for.
Will be interesting to see what insider comments surfaces online in the coming weeks.  Anonymous bloggers and tweeters giving an insider scoop - I wonder if any super injunctions will be used to identify them and stop them. In fact in the Independent I have seen a few comments from staff who have been named so hats off to them for doing that. There are times when principles are more important than money.

Anyway, those are my thoughts on this matter but would be great to hear yours as this saga is going to run and run.

Top Ten Things I've Learnt Whilst Being Unemployed

What a beautiful day.  The sun is out, I've had a lie in to get over some bug I seem to have and just had a message on my phone saying that I've been invited to an interview.  The third one that I have in the offing so result. So as my job hunt mood is good today I thought what better time to write the ten things that I have learnt while being under employed

1. Have a routine
My week day routine involves getting up by 8am.  Not too early but early enough for half the day to not suddenly flown by.  Ok today I got up at 10 but I try not to make that the norm.


2. Make friends with your jobcentre adviser
Strangely my job centre adviser has now become my friend and we tend to have fun chats.  Ok he can't actually advise me about my job search but he seems enthralled by the type of marketing that I do. Our past few discussions have been about Government cuts and how their job centre is over budget and cutting back all over the place. Last week their water dispenser was removed in order for candidates to have appointment cards. Things really are getting that bad.  He also said that in terms of people chasing up on things it'll take them six months to a year at the moment as they are so behind.


3. You can't job hunt 24/7
Unlike what the latest Government says whereby they tag all job hunters with the same lazy tag, I firmly believe that you really cannot job hunt 24/7.  A few focused hours each day is more than adequate before you lose the actual will to live.

4. Still lead a normal life
Being unemployed or being made redundant no longer has that stigma.  The days of having a job for life are long gone and now our workforce is having to be more flexible.  Don't hide or be ashamed, loads of fab people have been out of the work in the past few years and with employers still worrying about our economy many more will surely be headed that way. What was it I heard on the news today - four major retailers have gone into administration in a week.

5. Exercise
The one constant that I try to do for a few hours each week.  Exercise is certainly a happy pill and leaves you wanting to take on the world with gusto.  Plus boxing also helps to release anger when people may have annoyed you.


6. Use your own network to hunt for that elusive role
I have got a job through my personal network so don't overlook the power of who you know.  Often jobs aren't advertised or you may have just missed it.  Talk to many and you never know what you may uncover.

7. Seek the advice of a professional
Professional advice can make sure that you are on the right track and that you stay there.  Plus they can give you a bit of a motivational kick too.  In terms of getting you CV up to scratch, talking to you about how the job market now works (it moves just like everything else) and being an understanding ear the right career consultant is worth their weight in gold.


8. Know what it is that you want
Agents bombard you with anything they have; all they want is to place someone and make commission. So have a clear idea in your mind what it is that you are after, salary, location, perks, team structure etc.  I get ones that want to put in roles that effectively take my career back over five years in terms of salary and responsibilities.  I know this would demoralise me and also mean that I would have such a hard slog to get back to where I was. 


9. Recruitment agents can both help and hinder
They certainly can.  Informing you of jobs that they don't have meaning that you may potentially not apply directly and then find out when you speak to the HR person that no agencies are being used for the role. For me that happened recently and the chat with the HR guy is ongoing and I am still in contention for the role. 

10. Smile
Smiling helps to lift the spirits. So chin up, hold your head up high and smile. 

Just Do It!

I can't believe that it's almost the end of June, time is certainly flying.  Well what's been happening with me

Jobhunt stuff - well it's all systems go.  I am still applying for jobs, not just any job but the right job. Being slightly picky makes sense as if the job is not right there is no point in time.  Started to get asked what I have been doing for the past 6 months my fav response has been "sitting on my fat arse all day!" - ok I only say that to agents who I have known for a long time and it is said in a comic manner.  Gotta add some humour to my day or else life would be rather dull.  

Anyway the perseverance seems to be paying off and now have two interviews coming up in the next week or so. Fingers and toes crossed everyone. 

Start Up - being a bit of a procrastinator I am still working on my business plan and have been to a business bootcamp at the British Library.  The British Library IP Centre is brilliant and being the geek I am, heading to conduct market research is pure pleasure.   Zzzzzzzz I'm sure I can hear some of you cry! Well I am getting there, have some useful lists etc. so that I can develop my plan of action and forecasts. My first quote to my first potential client has been sent so I am definitely headed in the right direction.

Had lunch with one of my former bosses today which was good.  He thinks my business idea is a goer and use the immortal line "Just get out there and do it". Fired up, I am now booked into loads of networking events and have my business cards at the ready - I will be heading out and about and selling my wares. 

Poor Kids, Poverty and Recession

This unemployment thing certainly makes me more aware of the people aspect to any story.  Yesterday I read an interesting research report about the recession through a child's eyes - it was enlightening as kids see things in black and white. The other thing I watched was Poor Kids on BBC 1 which showed kids living in poverty. Awful housing and going without meals etc as well as being the subject of constant bullying for being poor.  

Both things really highlighted to me some of the large scale problems that we as a nation face. You don't need to look too far too find it - I think it is just a case that most of us chose not to see it. Even though more often than not it's almost on our doorstep. 

Are All The Unemployed The Same?

Last night, one of the things that I watched was the Panorama programme about the latest Government initiatives to get people back into work.  I have to admit that it wasn't one of those programmes that grabbed my attention but a few interesting things did crop up.

The People On Screen Were Nothing Like Me
Don't get me wrong but the people on screen really didn't have a lot in common with me apart from being out of work.  The lives they lead and how they live.  What struck me was that the struggles that those out of work  are all so different so the Government's one size fits all approach to get people back into work is not going to cut it for so many different types of people.

The New Reassessments For Incapacity Benefit Should Happen But With Care
Ok some of the people on the programme I didn't have sympathy for as they just had no intention of working and had lost any drive (if they had any in the first place) to get a job.  But the other thing that I did notice was that we are also dealing with some extremely vulnerable people. If they are deemed not to be in too bad a state to receive the extra income that income capacity benefit gives them do at least make sure that there is some sort of safety net there to make sure that life doesn't get to much for them and they end up in a far worse predicament than many of us could imagine.

To Those In Work - Remember It Could Happen To You
One of the things that did stand out from the programme was an older gentleman who'd worked for 30 years + never had a day off sick etc.  He very much believed that there is plenty of work etc out there. All I hope is that one day he does not get really ill and end up having to rely on the state or lose his job due to the ongoing rollercoaster ride that is the current UK economy.  No job is for life and we all have to accept that the way world works is changing too through globalisation and interesting inventions such as the internet.  Just beware.

You're Fired - How The Apprentice Shows The Worst of UK Business!!

I have to admit that I am an avid fan of the Apprentice and always have been. The genius that is Stuart Baggs cannot be underestimated and the general cartoonish extreme traits that each candidate displays are always very entertaining.    Although most of the pantomime that features in each episode is down to fantastic casting and great editing, the types of back stabbing and general one-upmanship are things that we have all have encountered at work although to a much lesser degree.

Watching the past few weeks has made me reflect on the world of work and what I want to be a part of next. Having been out of work for a few months now, it has to be said that in many ways I actually am starting to enjoy not having to deal with all the hassle and protocols that you have to follow in an office. Being in control what you do each day and when is actually quite liberating although self-dicipline certainly has to be exercised or before you know it, the day has flown by.

So what next for me? Well still plodding on with applying for jobs but starting to realise that maybe my days working for someone else may have come to an end. So I am looking into setting up on my own working for companies that I actually want to work for so watch this space people. Creating my business plan as we speak so one day I can emulate my hero Stuart Baggs!

Job hunt for 35 hours each week or else!

Haha, that's the findings from a prominent Government thinktank led by Iain Duncan-Smith.  Wow, yet another initiative that seems to stink of the Government trying to get those all important jobseekers stats down.  What I want to know is how the hell is it possible to jobhunt for 35 hours each week.  Wow if job hunting is a full time job you would technically be earning just over 50p an hour based on standard jobseekers - now what was that about the minimum wage!

There aren't enough jobs in the world plus most jobseeking is now taking place online - how the hell could you do that for 35 hours. Job hunting for someone who wants to work is not highly pleasurable as it is with some of the downsides being depression and loss of confidence as you start to question your worth and whether you are actually employable anymore.

Personally, a few focused hours is about all I can manage each day before my concentration goes and I end up surfing the net, writing a blog piece or working out what fantastic feast to cook up for dinner (the menu tonight is Thai Chicken with mango salad as featured on This Morning yesterday looked yummy).

Job hunting is a mind numbing drab process and to get the best out of it you need to not just do blanket mailouts but actually tailor your applications and letters and calls to stand out above the crowd.  Creativity takes time and I am a firm believer that I would much rather put my best foot forward by sending something bespoke that I am 100% proud of. This approach has meant that I have secured a much higher rate of interviews than many.

Computer says no!

Last week had to be one of the weirdest first meetings that I have ever had with a recruitment agent.  This one was no bolshey wide boy in a bad suit and full of hot air (to be honest not that many are most are quite pleasant).  She was well spoken, owned and ran her own agency which seemed to have many blue chip clients and plush offices in the heart of town. 

All looking good, she called me in after I applied for a role online that sounded right up my street so I was chuffed to get her call asking me to come in for an initial chat. Anyway, off I trotted to town, bit like Dick Whittington with my knapsack on my back! So I walked in and filled in the usual forms and handed over my passport to prove that my East End credentials are as they seem. 

Then we went into one of the interview rooms where I was expecting to be asked questions about what I have done.  The strange thing was was that she hardly asked question just read out everyone bullet point on my CV word for word.  Hearing your own prose read back to you word for word is a tad weird, especially as I've had to work on it so many times that I almost know it rote. It just made me feel uneasy and wondering:

-  if she had actually even read my CV?; 

- is this really what her clients are paying for? I could see little expertise in terms of being able to read words off a page

- maybe all she was interested in was looks - do I look like what the client would like? Her technique really was not going to allow her to find out anything of any use about me. 

Anyway, from here on in she shall be known as "Computer Says No" but hopefully she can get me an interview for the job that she was touting for as it sounded pretty good.

Why Are We Waiting

One thing I can't abide is people wasting my time.  I've never been known for my patience. So if I'm due to sign on at a certain time, I expect not to be hanging around for almost an hour.  Last week I was given a piece of paper with a different time to sign on at yesterday due to the Bank Holiday.  

Off I trotted to the Jobcentre for 11.40 not my usual 12.45 signing on slot. If I'm late at the Jobcentre I would basically be given a warning and if it happens a few times have my benefits stopped.  All just another way to improve jobless stats ultimately. So by rights if the Jobcentre keeps me waiting shouldn't I get a pay rise due to their incompetence?! Nice theory but sadly this does not work in practice - obviously waste the time of the under employed is not deemed to be of any significance. 

The man who should have been seeing me seemed to be doing other things.  Work related but form filling as opposed to signing people on.  In the end up I sat there for 40 mins. Man was I getting annoyed - I even went up to check that he had my book which he did. My general exasperation was compounded by the fact that I had things to sort out with regards to my dad's estate which meant trekking across town plus I had an interview to prepare for the next day too. 

When I was seen a good hour later, the first thing he said was that I was too early and that my time is 1245.  He even showed me his computer screen to back up his statement.  I said that he'd given me a piece of paper with a different time on last time I signed on. He said there was no record of this - admin is obviously not a strong point for the Jobcentre maybe we should introduce fining for their screw ups. 

Anyway, he said that for next time I would have to attend a one-to-one interview to help me find work.  It is due to last at least half an hour.  The letter I had referred to a back to work workshop which I asked him about as I had not done that part.  He said "that workshop is not for people like me as I don't come across as someone looking to stack shelves at Sainsbury's so I would not need to do that part and the one-2-one would be better for me".  Then I asked if I needed to bring my CV.  Turns out he had a copy on file which he read in awe.  Wow - maybe all the under employed aren't no hopers :)

Life just gets in the way

Well,  the past 10 days have been the toughest that I have faced in a long long while. On the upside I have had in four requests for interview although I have had to reschedule three of them and pull out of one altogether. I guess it really is a case of life getting in the way of job hunting.

Sadly my father passed away last week Sunday.  I was the one who called the police to break in where they found his body in the lounge - amazing what a hunch can lead to although secretly I kept wishing that he would suddenly appear and berate me for being silly and that he was fine. I was the one that had to track down lost relatives and tell his sister that she had lost yet another member of her family. I was the one who spoke to his brother who I never knew existed but it turns out is alive and well in Manchester. I was the one who arranged a Muslim burial although I am not religious in the slightest.  The ceremony today was lovely and I do feel a lot better about things than I did last week.  My dad was certainly a character, forthright in his opinions and at times charming and at times harsh.  At least now he is at peace.

Anyway, I have to say that in terms of my job hunt which at the start of last week suddenly went up to 5th gear (a driving reference even though I am a rubbish driver 5 tests and 3.5 years worth of lessons and only driven once since I passed). The people who were due to interview me have been fantastic from agents to a chief exec who sent me a lovely email today saying that he thought I had a stand out CV and that he did not want me to pull out so would arrange a time to meet me tomorrow. I guess at times things like these bring out the best in people.   So this evening I will be swotting up for my interviews tomorrow with a glass of wine (not very Muslim but that's me all over - bacon sandwich anyone! :))

RIP Dad xxx

Friends Like These

What an absolutely gorgeous day - the sun is shining through the window as I job hunt so it is hard to be down. Will be heading out in a bit to buy some food to cook up a storm tonight - can't wait.

Right on with my blog.  Last night one of my well meaning friends managed to rile me.  It was post conversation where my mind started to whirl with what had actually been said - I'm one of the people who needs time to fester and reflect.

The upshot was that my friend who does not really know what I do in terms of marketing and has not known me for that long was happy to give me advice on work and where I live.  One gem was that I should move to a cheaper area - you know one where you can rent a one bed flat for £600 each month! This was coming from someone who has owned his own place for 26 years and never faced the perils that come from renting in London.  I live in South West London, not in the most glam place in the world but not the dregs either. He is going to look over the weekend to find suitable areas for me!  I guess being self reliant and renting for over 10 years has qualified me for nothing.

The next piece of wisdom was on the job hunt front. OK I have not had paid work since the end of Nov but I have done some volunteering.  Admittedly December/early Jan was a slow month.  But I have chased jobs etc.  The main thing is that I have 10 years experience and I can't really go for a junior role with a substantial salary cut.  I don't spend money frivolously  but do need to earn above a certain level in order to meet my commitments.  I am a B2B marketing specialist so not as many roles as consumer led ones from what I see and so on.

Anyway, my friend was very much like "oh you must go for anything now even taking a £10k pay cut.  The job you are after does not exist."  I know the market has dropped since its peak but it certainly has picked up in the past year or two as firms are now starting to regroup and rehire those that they culled in 2009. Taking a next step that involves taking my career back at least seven years to me is not the right move even if it does mean that I am in a job.  I just need to keep on going and have the confidence and drive to get the job that I know is mine.

The 'M' Factor

Ok, I have to admit that these past few weeks have been tough and I have been very unmotivated.  I  just don't want to do anything.  Having a cold for the past few weeks, being under employed and worried about whether I'll be able to make my rent in a few months time is starting to weigh down on me. I need to be motivated but currently just don't feel like it. I officially hate all the crap that comes with looking for a job.

All of these things make it hard to focus my mind on what should be the main task in hand, finding a job.  I guess I am starting to feel a bit worn down by everything and the idea that life is always a struggle or a fight that in the main I have to contend with alone.  At times life does certainly suck.

Keep On Track

The Lovely Beijing Stadium 

As an Londoner born and bred or make that a proper East Londoner actually born in Bow, I have to admit that I think the London Olympic Stadium is not quite my design cup of tea.  Bit bland with any ideas for embellishment being value engineered i.e. cost cost.  As someone who has visited the Olympic site in Beijing and was quite frankly blown away by it - most of the design for the London Games is rather run of the mile apart from Zaha's Pool and the recently completed Velodrome.  I know "but London is all about the legacy etc" but can someone show me a clear plan about this yet? I think not.

Anyway, rather than bore you with my thoughts on the design merits of stadia past and present, I'll get back to why I am talking about keeping on track (see the my seamless sporting analogy - Olympic stadium - running track etc).   I had a call yesterday from a rather pushy agent.  I am registered with his agency and the guy I have met and tend to speak to is nice, professional and listens.  Anyway, the one I spoke to yesterday wasn't really any of those things.

He called at an inopportune time, I'd just cooked up a feast for breakfast and was about to tuck in when he rang. "Do you have a moment", he asked. "OK" I said as I scoffed on a piece of toast.   He then went on about a new role that he has for a mid sized accountancy firm.  Nice broad marketing role, in London blah blah blah. He went on to ask me a million question - kind of making me justify my worth as to why I am a good marketer.  I did say I'd  been in to meet his colleague a few weeks ago so couldn't he chat to him. In my head I wasn't too fussed and wanted to continue scoffing my breakfast which was quite frankly far more exciting than chatting to him.

Then the crunch, he asked me to come in on Monday to discuss the role and my response was "Why".  After a while I do get a bit sick of having to jump constantly for agents who ultimately have nothing for me plus I'd been in to see his colleague recently so why could they not have seen me in one hit?  He blathered on that I had to meet his boss to find out more about this great role.  I sighed - my food was getting cold after all. Then he said how much are you looking for in your next role.  As I said the figure (based on previous salaries) the phone went silent.  "Oohh the max they want to pay is this" which equated to a £3k drop for me. My response was that we should forget it then.  He then went on and on at me until I gave in and I found myself agreeing to go in on Monday.

Then a few hours later when I reflected on the mornings events and I came to a few conclusions:

- I really did not like that agent and once I get his email confirmation for Monday I will respond saying that I will not be going. Stuff him, he caught me off guard and did a sales job on me.
- I am not convinced about going for a role that is at the top end of their pay skill and still quite a sizeable drop for me.  Taking the role would effectively mean that I would not be progressing my career or salary scale any time soon as they are obviously looking for someone more junior who will grow into the role. Therefore the likelihood of me getting to the next level in terms of seniority and pay would be even further from my grasp.
- If I will sell my soul to the devil for a role in a sector that I am not too interested in (accounting) I expect you to pay me well for doing so. A pay cut for a role where I will grow and develop in a sector that I am interested in would be an altogether different matter.

So in summary - I shall be in the warmth of my own home on Monday.  I will send that agent an email to say thanks but no thanks boyo! I will reread some of the stuff that I did about my wants/needs a few years ago with a bit of a 2011 refresh to make sure that my job hunting keeps on track and doesn't deviate due to unscrupulous people out to make a fast buck.

It's Good To Talk

Well I'm sitting here with a cold that has gone on for two days. Maybe sitting in front of the laptop with a temperature and a headache isn't the best idea but I feel that ranting or should that be writing!

As the headline says, it's good to talk.  I went to an exhibition last week and managed to talk to quite a few people.  It was nice to be back in the world that I love, buildings and the environment.  Managed to bump into three of my former bosses which was cool.  Chatting to one of them who I will meet with next week to have a chat as she may have something job wise that may be of interest.

Aside from talking led to a consultant telling me to look at a job that is being advertised at the moment and I also got chatting to a Director at a drinks reception who said I should send him my CV.

People think I am a natural when it comes to talking and networking but it has to be said that there are days when that is the last thing in the world that I can or want to do.  Luckily aside from having sore feet from wandering around ExCeL all day, I was in pretty high spirits. More opportunities cropped up in that one day than had done for weeks proving that it's good to talk to get that next job.

Why Don't Recruiters Listen?

Ok, at times I admit that I am not necessarily the best listener but I know my flaws and do try not to jump in with my point of view too soon. But give me my dues, ultimately I do get the message.  You know when you are always the first one to text the guy and he does not respond or when he does it's quite a while later - I do ultimately get the message. 

If I can get the message, why is it that some recruiters can't? My CV is a bit choppy so I know that one of the things I need in my next role is to stay there for a while. In order for me to do that it means not just getting a job but getting the right job. One where I feel part of the team, my skills are appreciated and I enjoy working with my colleagues.  One where I can grow into being that inspirational marketing manager that in truth should not be too far away.  

In order to get a job that I stick out I know I can't do a role that is bid focused.  Marcomms is what I do and what I enjoy and therefore what I want to do.  Why oh why when I say this to agents do they still persist in sending me roles that are bid focused? What's the marketing/bid split I asked?  Oh 60/40.  "Ok but you know that I am not interested in roles that are primarily bid roles" I said. "Yes, Yes" was the response.  Then why send me a flurry of emails not asking about my marketing experience but asking me to list all the bids I have ever worked on with fee values when I send across my CV for a role that they want to put me forward for.  This request was nigh on impossible as I have worked on so many plus I tend to end up with selective amnesia as far as bidding is concerned.  I tend to blank things out. 

I guess agents don't listen because ultimately many are just concerned with their own commission.  Whether I end up in an unsuitable role is by the by as long as they get paid.  Just remember bad agents, that day when I do become a Marketing Manager and am looking to recruit, you will not be my first port of call.  I shall give my business to the ones out there that have listened to me when I was looking for work and ultimately respected my views.

Jobcentre = Pleasant Experience

Well, I have to admit that I was dreading the rigmarole of having to do the deed of signing on again.  I had resisted as much as I could but now the time had sadly come. Anyway,  I went online and filled in those lovely forms then had a phone call saying when to head to Streatham Jobcentre for an interview where I needed to produce a million bits of paper to prove my credentials.

Anyway, firstly Streatham jobcentre for what it was actually seemed to have a pleasant décor.  It was no way near as worn out as Wood Green Jobcentre Plus and the staff were actually polite.  I had had heard a horror story about Streatham so I was a bit worried that I would have to deal with some battleaxe but I was pleasantly surprised.

Both ladies I spoke to were lovely and friendly.  They took all my identification and it was good to see that they had improved some of their systems since the last time that I signed on in light of the increasing numbers of jobless professionals that now darken their doors. Wow they actually now know what some of us do and I think may even have a few relevant jobs on their systems.  A big improvement from 2009.

The sad thing was that when I asked about training etc as I figured this down time would be an ideal time for me to sharpen up my skills.  I had the response that the only courses on offer were basic literacy skills.  Other training and workshops had now been cut due to cuts.  That's a crying shame in my eyes as the Government's ultimate aim should be to help up-skill the unemployed, build their confidence and help revive the economy so that they can get back into work.

Tick Tock Tick Tock

Ooohhh the pain of waiting around for decisions.  Everyone is just too busy to hire - they're running around here there and everywhere so making time to interview let alone make a decision is elongated beyond all comprehension. AAaaarrrggghhh
I had an interview today which went well or at least I think it did, awesome job, awesome team, awesome company.  It's one where I really will have my fingers crossed to getting a positive response.  Strangely if I was writing down what I wanted my next role to look like this company very much fits the bill so it does give me hope that the job I am after isn't some weird unobtainable pipe dream.  So the one thing that I know if that I must persevere.
Right so part of the plan is getting down to the job centre to sign on - just in case the dream job doesn't quite pan out.  I know it'll be traumatic and the likely £40ish quid each fortnight won't make a sizeable dent on my outgoings but hey it's a start.
The other thing will be to network like a demon - my last few jobs I got direct as opposed to through agents so look out the built environment world, I will out there chatting away and seeing if there are roles to be unearthed somewhere.

Is Finding A Dream Job Asking Too Much?

Well,  job hunting is not that much fun really.   Tailoring your CV, chasing agents and putting on a performance when you get that all important interview.  I think the thing that is troubling me most is the what if factor.  I think it's that thing of watching your savings creep down before your eyes, the fact that nobody wants to make a decision let alone a bad one so the sense of urgency in terms of hiring someone has been overtaken by not wanting to take a chance and the fact that there's not that many good jobs out there.  

My CV since being made redundant in 2009 has been a bit choppy so I want to make sure that my next role is right for me.  That is something that I really want to do, something that I find inspiring and something that utilises my skills and enthusiasm.  Oh and working with people who I respect and admire.  Is that too much to ask?  I don't think it is although it does mean that I am being pretty selective about the jobs that I go for.  That does mean that I spend time crafting each application but in terms of success, it does seem to work. Three interviews secured and very few rejections.  Still waiting to hear back on two of them to see if I get to the next round.  Both jobs are good and match what I'm after although one really really really appeals more than the other.  Fingers and toes crossed. 

I'm back! Have you missed me?

Well the title says it all.  I have not posted anything on here for absolutely ages as I did end up having two jobs in the past year or so.  The first was fun working for a sustainability charity and the second was my attempt at taking on a role in a very corporate environment.  I have come to the conclusion that I am not really a corporate type and thus am now on the market looking for that next all important role.

I started looking for a new role in December - not the best time to be looking for a job that's for sure with Xmas parties and no one looking to commit or do very much.  Being honest I did the minimum and really just touched base with a few agents that I know.  Oh and I had an interview with an architectural practice for a job that I knew I didn't want half way through the interview - stroppy associate line manager and a job chasing after work with no overall business development strategy.  A recipe for chaos if ever there was one. The feedback they gave me when they gave me the brush off was that I could do the role really well but was better suited to a larger company.

Anyway, this blog will focus on my latest job search either back into marketing for professional services firms or charity fundraising.  Wish me luck.