The Bank Holiday weekend saw Sue and I out on the Saturday evening with friends for a couple of games of ten-pin bowling. This is something we have enjoyed since moving to Derby in the late 1980s. Mark and his girlfriend accompany us with friends and neighbours as 9 of us do our best to hide our incompetence and have some fun doing so. A good evening out, raising the spirits somewhat.
This Saturday Sue invited her team from work up for a BBQ as a “thank you” for their support and efforts at work over the last year. This saw me doing the cooking (well, it’s a man thing, isn’t it?) while she attended to the social side of things, making sure that everyone was well lubricated and not left out of the chat.
Angie and John were up again this weekend to celebrate Dad’s 76th birthday. His condition continues it’s slow and steady decline, but multiple sclerosis doesn’t kill. How Mum copes beats me, but, she does.
John has had his work hours cut , but is happy that he still has his job. His boss has called a meeting for this coming week and John has heard that the firm has been successful in picking up some new contracts which will not only guarantee the workforce continued employment but could see some extension of working hours. He waits to find out for definite later this week.
Angie is in the same position that I am, having been made redundant when her employer closed the café where she worked. She isn’t computer literate and now finds herself having to prepare a CV and search for jobs on-line. A new and alien world for her so I tried to give her some pointers. Hope it helps, it’s bad enough having those skills and not landing a job, but, to not have those skills in the first place is a real handicap.
Monday, 1 September 2008
My Deauville
For the simple reason that I prefer to use the bike, added to the fact that I can park it up in town for free, I use the bike whenever I have to sign on. Last Friday was one such day, so first thing I go to get the bike out and find the front tyre is very low, but not quite flat.
With time in hand I pump it up and perform a visual check for a puncture – none found. So out with a large plastic tray, fill it with water and after several rotations looking for punctures, I filled it high enough to cover the wheel to the rim and discovered the problem – the air is escaping from between tyre and rim. Obviously not properly sealed but at least I don’t have to worry about a puncture repair or tyre replacement. I called in at The Motorcycle Workshop, where the tyres were fitted, and they’ll have a go at sealing it on Friday.
With time in hand I pump it up and perform a visual check for a puncture – none found. So out with a large plastic tray, fill it with water and after several rotations looking for punctures, I filled it high enough to cover the wheel to the rim and discovered the problem – the air is escaping from between tyre and rim. Obviously not properly sealed but at least I don’t have to worry about a puncture repair or tyre replacement. I called in at The Motorcycle Workshop, where the tyres were fitted, and they’ll have a go at sealing it on Friday.
Anxiety starts
Nine weeks job searching and so far all I’ve gained is experience. Vital experience in presentations , psychometric testing (a completely new and alien to me) competency interviews and testing, all on top of the “normal”, run of the mill, traditional interviews. But even though feedback suggests I’m getting better I’m still not getting any job offers, and to me that’s worrying.
OK, we still have Sue’s earnings but they represent only a third of our income compared to when I was in work. There’s an insurance policy in place that will, from the end of this month, pay the mortgage for up to a year, but, even with cutting back everything to basics we will still be eating away at the savings we have unless work is found soon.
Anxious, yes, I’m starting to get anxious. I’ve never been a worrier, but now I’m starting to have sleepless nights, and that’s not good, as I see it as the start of a downward spiral which can only lead to me performing worse and not better at interviews, and I can’t entertain that. That’s just not the way I am.
OK, we still have Sue’s earnings but they represent only a third of our income compared to when I was in work. There’s an insurance policy in place that will, from the end of this month, pay the mortgage for up to a year, but, even with cutting back everything to basics we will still be eating away at the savings we have unless work is found soon.
Anxious, yes, I’m starting to get anxious. I’ve never been a worrier, but now I’m starting to have sleepless nights, and that’s not good, as I see it as the start of a downward spiral which can only lead to me performing worse and not better at interviews, and I can’t entertain that. That’s just not the way I am.
Sunday, 31 August 2008
The last 2 weeks
It has been a roller coaster 2 weeks on the job hunting scene. After the all day assessment at Experian they decided not to offer me a job – can’t say I was surprised as the other 3 prospects were all under 30, and the last word I would use to describe myself is ambitious, the other male had no Business Analysis experience so from the start it was between the 2 ladies, for 2 positions…? A foregone conclusion from where I see it.
The Egg / Citi Bank interview required me to do a 20 minute SWOT analysis presentation based on a short brief. I put a lot of effort into it and felt it went well. Their feedback was that I demonstrated appropriate knowledge of my subject and technical ability, but, I came over as “too nervous for a senior role”. That’s the first time my ego has been brought into question.
So tomorrow morning it’s back to searching… and hoping that Thursday’s interview is more successful than those than have gone before it.
The Egg / Citi Bank interview required me to do a 20 minute SWOT analysis presentation based on a short brief. I put a lot of effort into it and felt it went well. Their feedback was that I demonstrated appropriate knowledge of my subject and technical ability, but, I came over as “too nervous for a senior role”. That’s the first time my ego has been brought into question.
So tomorrow morning it’s back to searching… and hoping that Thursday’s interview is more successful than those than have gone before it.
The Olympics
In my view the Olympic games were a spectacular display of abilities, courage and commitment by all those that took part, whether medal winners or not. Sure there were disappointments, none greater than that of seeing Liu Xiang hobbling off the Olympic 100m hurdles course, obviously in enormous pain and so disappointed to not be representing China. Nothing anybody can say or do will expunge his personal disappoint,, but he is young enough to come back an win in London in 2012. The same cannot be said of Paula Radcliffe, gold medallist just about everywhere except the Olympics
China can and should be justifiably proud of having put on the best Olympic games in the modern era. To everybody’s surprise they ignored the politics, but, they used the infrastructure that their system has to excel in organisation – at times and in places they took it to the extreme, placing a miming beauty on the pedestal for all to see while a songbird sang behind the scenes. Totally unnecessary but indicative of the effort they put into making this Olympics the best Olympic experience ever. In my eyes they succeeded.
China can and should be justifiably proud of having put on the best Olympic games in the modern era. To everybody’s surprise they ignored the politics, but, they used the infrastructure that their system has to excel in organisation – at times and in places they took it to the extreme, placing a miming beauty on the pedestal for all to see while a songbird sang behind the scenes. Totally unnecessary but indicative of the effort they put into making this Olympics the best Olympic experience ever. In my eyes they succeeded.
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
Improving day
I was really down first thing today, but, events have cheered me up a bit. Notification that I’ve been selected for an interview for a job I quite fancy in Walsall (even if it’s not until early September). Then I had a telephone interview for a BA role at Citi Bank/Egg in Derby and I’m through to the next round, which is a 2hr competency test Wednesday next week. A couple of positive email responses meant I ended the day a whole lot happier than at the start.
Monday, 18 August 2008
Weather forecasting (again)
I've had a rant about the accuracy of the British Weather Forecasters before (see Nice weather – shame about the forecast, January 2008) but this weekend was the 3rd on the trot where the weather we experienced was completely opposite to what was forecast. I don't know how much money is ploughed into both the Met Office and/or the BBC Weather Service, but no matter how much or little it is, it is still way far too much.
Now if I change my or the family's plans based on the forecasted weather then the knock on affect is that we may miss out on doing something we would otherwise have enjoyed. But, for farmers and growers the potential impact of having to change plans could have a major affect on their profitability, their livelyhood. The same applies to the UK's tourist trade -- staff up for a period when good weather is forecast and the employer is saddled with a wage bill that can't be recouped if the weatheris poor. Vice-versa they'd find too few staff for the number of tourists that turn up.
So come on British Weather Forecasters, put a bit more effort into it and GET IT RIGHT! At the moment all you are doing is fostering and underpining the idea that as a profession you are vastly overpaid for the quality of service you provide.
Now if I change my or the family's plans based on the forecasted weather then the knock on affect is that we may miss out on doing something we would otherwise have enjoyed. But, for farmers and growers the potential impact of having to change plans could have a major affect on their profitability, their livelyhood. The same applies to the UK's tourist trade -- staff up for a period when good weather is forecast and the employer is saddled with a wage bill that can't be recouped if the weatheris poor. Vice-versa they'd find too few staff for the number of tourists that turn up.
So come on British Weather Forecasters, put a bit more effort into it and GET IT RIGHT! At the moment all you are doing is fostering and underpining the idea that as a profession you are vastly overpaid for the quality of service you provide.
Saturday, 16 August 2008
Assessment day
Well I think the best way I can sum up the experience is to say that I'm glad it's done. Intensive? You could say that. I am used to working against the clock to deadlines, but, that is usually in terms of days. This was in terms of minutes. It started off very innocently with an introduction, and then it was full on:-
* First a competency interview, timed for 60 minutes and where I finished with seconds to spare.
* Then an hour to prepare a presentation on a prescribed subject. I finished my prep (if you can call it that) with 5 seconds to spare.
* Then the presentation, which went better than I'd anticipated it would given the level of preparedness, followed by 10 minutes examination and questioning.
* A quick half hour lunch and back for literacy and numeracy testing (where I could have, and should have, done better).
* Then the 4 candidates (of which I was one) all sat down to prepare for a meeting, 30 minutes to prepare, 35 minutes in a meeting where we each played the same role in the scenario fully observed by 4 observers and then the round up and dismissal.
I can see why a firm like Experian do this type of assessment, it is very efficient, but I hope that I don't have to do too many like that in order to get a job. And I hope that it was worth it and that it lands me a job, but, I'm far from confident that Experian will be offering me the Business Analyst position I was assessed for.
The flip side of the coin is that it's the first time I have ever done anything this intensive on my way to getting a job. I've had phsycometric tests (and have another one scheduled for next Wednesday) but this was ALL about competency. I've always advocated that the day I don't learn something will be the day I die, well, this day taught me a lot and proved that I still have a lot to learn. I also learnt a bit more about myself, which is a bonus.
Clint Eastwood (as Dirty Harry) said something like "A man has got to know his limitations...". While I'd agree I'd like to add that, knowing ones limitations one should always be prepared to push the boundaries. On Wednesday some boundaries got pushed, I was moved out of my comfort zone and survived. That's the bonus I take out of the experience.
* First a competency interview, timed for 60 minutes and where I finished with seconds to spare.
* Then an hour to prepare a presentation on a prescribed subject. I finished my prep (if you can call it that) with 5 seconds to spare.
* Then the presentation, which went better than I'd anticipated it would given the level of preparedness, followed by 10 minutes examination and questioning.
* A quick half hour lunch and back for literacy and numeracy testing (where I could have, and should have, done better).
* Then the 4 candidates (of which I was one) all sat down to prepare for a meeting, 30 minutes to prepare, 35 minutes in a meeting where we each played the same role in the scenario fully observed by 4 observers and then the round up and dismissal.
I can see why a firm like Experian do this type of assessment, it is very efficient, but I hope that I don't have to do too many like that in order to get a job. And I hope that it was worth it and that it lands me a job, but, I'm far from confident that Experian will be offering me the Business Analyst position I was assessed for.
The flip side of the coin is that it's the first time I have ever done anything this intensive on my way to getting a job. I've had phsycometric tests (and have another one scheduled for next Wednesday) but this was ALL about competency. I've always advocated that the day I don't learn something will be the day I die, well, this day taught me a lot and proved that I still have a lot to learn. I also learnt a bit more about myself, which is a bonus.
Clint Eastwood (as Dirty Harry) said something like "A man has got to know his limitations...". While I'd agree I'd like to add that, knowing ones limitations one should always be prepared to push the boundaries. On Wednesday some boundaries got pushed, I was moved out of my comfort zone and survived. That's the bonus I take out of the experience.
Tuesday, 12 August 2008
Putting job hunting to one side
I've reached that point where I can no longer spend more than about 3 hours a day job hunting before I start to get both bored and depressed. So obviously I have to fill my time doing other things. Current favourite is to get the motorbike out and ride down to the Job Centre (sorry, Job Seekers Plus office) to hand in the Travel Claim form for the last trip to an interview, take a walk round that part of town then get back on the bike and go for a ride, sometimes combining that with a visit to the supermarket to fight my way round between mothers with screaming kids and pensioners tutt tutting at the mother and kids. Next option is to do a bit of gardening which is confined to mowing the back lawn and trimming bushes. The latest thing to do is a bit of painting in the hall/stairs/landing -- we were going to pay to have it all redecorated while we were away on holiday but cancelled that due to the lack of primary income. Now I find it a bit therapeutic, well, it makes a change from washing, tumbling, ironing and cooking the evening meal for when the rest of the family come home from work.
Saturday we went over to a little place north of Shrewsbury called Moreton Corbet for the wedding of Zoe & David at St Benedict’s church. A lovely service and they were so lucky with the weather. Blowing a gale with heavy rain up to an hour before, it cleared and dried up in time for the ceremony, stayed that way for the photos and the trip to the reception, then 10 minutes later it started raining again. We had a great time and they had a lovely day, God bless them! Shortly after we arrived home our Andy was delivered home by a mate Kev in what can best be described as an advanced state of inebriation. Boy, was he drunk as a skunk! Sunday was therefore a quiet day for all, as Mark was away for the weekend, camping in the Lake District.
Saturday we went over to a little place north of Shrewsbury called Moreton Corbet for the wedding of Zoe & David at St Benedict’s church. A lovely service and they were so lucky with the weather. Blowing a gale with heavy rain up to an hour before, it cleared and dried up in time for the ceremony, stayed that way for the photos and the trip to the reception, then 10 minutes later it started raining again. We had a great time and they had a lovely day, God bless them! Shortly after we arrived home our Andy was delivered home by a mate Kev in what can best be described as an advanced state of inebriation. Boy, was he drunk as a skunk! Sunday was therefore a quiet day for all, as Mark was away for the weekend, camping in the Lake District.
Interview experiences continue
First interview was BT Fleet, Solihul. Then came a phone inerview for Service Birmingham (Capita) followed by E.on at Annesley. Then a second interview at Capita, Birmingham. If the feedback is to be believed my interview technique is improving as I've gone from nowhere to a close 2nd, but importantly, still no job offer.
Tomorrow I'm attending an all day assessment at Experian in Nottingham which should be an interesting experiance as I have only ever done one of these before an that was some 20 plus years ago, so I'm more than a little bit anxious right now. Wish me luck, I've a feeling I'm going to need it.
Tomorrow I'm attending an all day assessment at Experian in Nottingham which should be an interesting experiance as I have only ever done one of these before an that was some 20 plus years ago, so I'm more than a little bit anxious right now. Wish me luck, I've a feeling I'm going to need it.
Tuesday, 5 August 2008
First rebuff
12:30 Friday I had an interview for a Business Analyst position at E.on over at Annesley, Nottinghamsire. Around 12:30 today I got a phone call from the agency saying that I’d not been chosen for the role. Not overly surprised as I didn't feel that I did as well as I should have, but just more than a little disappointed. As a result I spent a couple of hours banging out on-line applications for 3 roles that came in on email alerts this morning. Just hope I do better in the interview I have coming up Friday lunchtime.
Heard from Mum & Dad at the weekend that my sister Angie has been made redundant as the coffee shop she worked in has closed. The good news is that brother John has been told by his boss that he's got a job for up to a year even if no more contracts come in -- no overtime working but basic time is better than Job Seekers Allowance.
Heard from Mum & Dad at the weekend that my sister Angie has been made redundant as the coffee shop she worked in has closed. The good news is that brother John has been told by his boss that he's got a job for up to a year even if no more contracts come in -- no overtime working but basic time is better than Job Seekers Allowance.
Friday, 1 August 2008
First interviews
For me this week has been all about interviews. I’ve still been applying for jobs and talking to the agencies but this week brought me my first interviews. All were competency based, testing my knowledge of the subject of business analysis.
Tuesday afternoon I was at BT Fleet, Solihull, next door to Birmingham airport -- for the first of (possibly) 3 interviews. Two BA posts are up for grabs which is always better than when you are chasing one. I came away feeling I given a good account of myself but unsure as to whether I’d been good enough to get to the next round and won’t hear until late next week, but, importantly I got that “we have more candidates to interview” line which is usually a subtle way of saying “you didn’t do well enough”.
Wednesday I took a telephone interview at home for a job with Capita, this time based in central Birmingham. This one went well and I had a good feeling when I put the phone down at the end of it. Sure enough I got that all important call from the agency late in the day to say that I’d definitely be seen in the next round of interviews which will mean a trip down into Birmingham, date and time to be confirmed.
Today, Friday was supposed to start with another telephone interview at home for a job with Citi Bank / Egg at 9am. At 9:20 I phoned the agency and reported a “no show” and they said that they’d investigate and re-arrange as I had to get down to sign-on. Just as I was getting onto my motorbike the interviewer phoned, apologised for being early, but, could we get down to it as he’d got a full day ahead. I explained that I’d been emailed the time for the interview as 9:00 – 10:00. He’d got it in his diary as 10:30 – 11:30. As he’s on leave next week we agreed that he’d reschedule for the week after next when he returns from his leave. I just hope that it still happens but can’t be blamed for this one falling down.
Because of my interviews I’d arranged to sign-on at 10:25 instead of 13:50 in a phone call on Monday. I get down the Job Centre and they try to turn me away saying my sign-on time hadn’t been changed. I point out that (i) I’d phoned on Monday -- which had been recorded on their system, and (ii) that I couldn’t be there at 13:50 as I’d got to be at an interview, showing them a copy of the email. So I was seen by a rather nice young lady (makes a change, most of them are a bit rough or grossly over weight) and on my way in about 7 minutes after handing in my travel expenses claim for the Solihull trip and getting a form for the trip to E.on that was next on my agenda.
Then it's back home on the motorbike, change into the whistle and flute and off in the car to Annesley. I arrived with 25 minutes to spare so got myself nice and calmed before venturing off for what turned into a bit of a grilling. Like the Solihull interview, I came away not sure whether I’d be in or out following the “we’ve got more to see…” routine. So I just have to wait it out.
In the meantime I’ve just retrieved my emails, and after just one day (today) away from my computer I have 25 emails to get through from agencies and job alerts. That should keep me going for a while….
Tuesday afternoon I was at BT Fleet, Solihull, next door to Birmingham airport -- for the first of (possibly) 3 interviews. Two BA posts are up for grabs which is always better than when you are chasing one. I came away feeling I given a good account of myself but unsure as to whether I’d been good enough to get to the next round and won’t hear until late next week, but, importantly I got that “we have more candidates to interview” line which is usually a subtle way of saying “you didn’t do well enough”.
Wednesday I took a telephone interview at home for a job with Capita, this time based in central Birmingham. This one went well and I had a good feeling when I put the phone down at the end of it. Sure enough I got that all important call from the agency late in the day to say that I’d definitely be seen in the next round of interviews which will mean a trip down into Birmingham, date and time to be confirmed.
Today, Friday was supposed to start with another telephone interview at home for a job with Citi Bank / Egg at 9am. At 9:20 I phoned the agency and reported a “no show” and they said that they’d investigate and re-arrange as I had to get down to sign-on. Just as I was getting onto my motorbike the interviewer phoned, apologised for being early, but, could we get down to it as he’d got a full day ahead. I explained that I’d been emailed the time for the interview as 9:00 – 10:00. He’d got it in his diary as 10:30 – 11:30. As he’s on leave next week we agreed that he’d reschedule for the week after next when he returns from his leave. I just hope that it still happens but can’t be blamed for this one falling down.
Because of my interviews I’d arranged to sign-on at 10:25 instead of 13:50 in a phone call on Monday. I get down the Job Centre and they try to turn me away saying my sign-on time hadn’t been changed. I point out that (i) I’d phoned on Monday -- which had been recorded on their system, and (ii) that I couldn’t be there at 13:50 as I’d got to be at an interview, showing them a copy of the email. So I was seen by a rather nice young lady (makes a change, most of them are a bit rough or grossly over weight) and on my way in about 7 minutes after handing in my travel expenses claim for the Solihull trip and getting a form for the trip to E.on that was next on my agenda.
Then it's back home on the motorbike, change into the whistle and flute and off in the car to Annesley. I arrived with 25 minutes to spare so got myself nice and calmed before venturing off for what turned into a bit of a grilling. Like the Solihull interview, I came away not sure whether I’d be in or out following the “we’ve got more to see…” routine. So I just have to wait it out.
In the meantime I’ve just retrieved my emails, and after just one day (today) away from my computer I have 25 emails to get through from agencies and job alerts. That should keep me going for a while….
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