New job, new hope

Well currently I am sitting in a cafe in the port of hvar on an island hopping holiday in Croatia. Think this place is how Greece once was before the euro pushed the prices up.

As the title says, I am currently between jobs and loving it. Having a chance to get me back before plunging head first into a new challenging role certainly makes sense. Hadn't quite realised how much working for the crazy inept lady at my last place had knocked the stuffing out of me.

I will the good guys in my team, not the stupid junior ones but the others who are very good at what they do. I just hope each them lands something worthy of their talents soon and don't get so brow beaten that they lose confidence in their own capabilities.  One of the sad side effects of working for. A crap, vindictive person. Until all the good people go, she will hang onto that job.

I am looking forward to my new job, new team and new bosses. Although it is bit scary going into such a high performing team as there will be a lot to learn and a lot to prove. But hey, my batteries will be recharged so I'll be ready to take it on.

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.

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.

All Change

At times it can be said that I'm not the most perceptive person in the world. Actually, quite often my mind does seem to reside on a little planet it's created all by itself and I choose to engage with lesser mortals when I can be bothered. 

Anyway, I was knocked for six the other week at catch up meeting with my boss.  Turns out plans were being hatched under my nose -  I was the comms guinea pig for where I work. Was there a need and at what level and how many type of thing.  The answer is that comms is important, there is a need and it should play a large part in everything that this fledging charity gets up to.  Nothing like acknowledging the importance of being marketing orientated. 

The upshot is that they're happy with my work and want me to stay and they acknowledge that there is a need for someone at a senior role so they want to bring someone in to head up comms. I was speechless and was  told that I had a few days to think about what it is that I want to do next.  My contract is up at the end of March so it really is a case of decision time again.  Put myself back out there as another stat on  the unemployment figures or see how things go with new bird.

The prospect of being unemployed again wasn't attractive so staying put and seeing what happens next is the option that I am going with.  I told my boss that as long as I liked the new person, once I had a bad experience with a supposedly inspirational boss being brought in who was quite frankly crap and it was demoralising and not something that I ever want to repeat again. Also, that I can find a role for myself that I may be happy with.  

Lots to ponder yet again but it's all good :)