My job update...

...thought I'd post a quick update, as I've had a number of rants recently (under Grievances and CV Help, etc) on my job search.

Luckily, I have been getting called by just about every place that I applied (touch wood so as not to jinx my lucky streak) -- I guess it just takes awhile for them to get around to contacting people & I am soooooo impatient.  I got a job offer on the first perm job interview I went on...but had to put them off 'cause I didn't want to just hop on the first thing that came along, I have multiple interviews scheduled out for the next two weeks. and they had a miserly holiday policy (compared to other employers I'm considering).

I've had mixed results working with an agency...on one hand, they really helped me build up more confidence, think seriously & thoroughly about all the skills & experience that I have, etc -- which has really helped me to 'sell myself' both on paper & in interviews.  On the other hand, I think the agency is at something of a loss as to how to 'classify' me into the jobs they are placing for -- so I kind of get stuck into odd things (just my impression) a little bit.  Last week and then again next week -- I'm doing temping for commercial surveyor type places, something which is completely new to me -- not terribly exciting -- but it's ok for a short term, part time temp gig.

The best job prospects (so far) are the ones I found completely on my own! By trolling through different vacancy databases (online)...very time-consuming but so far it has been worth it.

Interestingly enough, some of my applications have been the standard CV + cover letter format, but a number have been just the straight job application for the place -- often applying via e-mail...and I'm still getting called (even without sending the CV)...so I think that bit just depends on the employer and what they are looking for, asking for, etc.  Some seem to want the CV -- others don't, preferring their own format instead. Of course, even when completing an application, I am just as meticulous and every bit as well-spoken & well-presented as I would be with the CV + cover letter.

Another interesting thing is that on some occasions -- I've had the opportunity to visually 'survey' some of my competition...some of the employers are first scheduling me (and others) for some sort of assessment or another.  I'm *amazed* at the job candidates who show up for these things looking like...'erm...wondering if 'chavs' is the right word? (Just dressed more casually than I would ever dream of going to an interview or job assessment---clothes that don't look very smart, fleshy midriffs peeping out between shirt & trousers, etc) Then of course, I worry maybe I am overdressed in my suit, nice hair & makeup (conservative), etc.

So it's an exciting, ongoing process -- but it is kinda freaking me out now with so many interviews!  Geez.    Anyone have any tips/advice on buying time from employers making job offers?  I really want to be able to attend all of the interviews & see what it's all like before making a final decision -- think I owe that to myself (unless I just happen to get blown out of the water by a specific offer or something).  To be honest, while salary is of course a consideration for me (or anyone) -- I'm really scrutinizing more the work environment/people/conditions & so forth as well as the holiday policy/allowance -- holiday time is a biggie for me what with hubs & my travel penchant plus my ties in the States (mom in a nursing home, etc) so I'm pitching for as much holiday to start as I can get.

Whew!  Sorry for the long post...(just got called for ANOTHER interview whilst I was typing this).  I'm off for a 'day off' (from job hunting/interviews/temping) -- some shopping in Leeds & meeting hubby for lunch in city centre.

I'm glad you're getting the interviews. The more you do, the more you'll be confident.

As far as getting more time from offers, what I did was tell them that I am interested in the offer but that I've got an interview with another company that week which I'm also interested in and ask them if they're willing to wait until you have the interview. It's a risk but if they really want you, they'll wait. They may also say no thanks and go to the next person (which happened to me but the other person turned them down so they came back to me and waited).

And I know how you feel about the surveyor job. I was a secretary for nearly a year at a chartered surveyor and never had I been so bored in all my life.

And you're doing the right thing with the dressing up. First impressions are important!

Good luck hon, keep us informed.

Interview 1 this week -- I tanked 'cause I said that on teams, I can do a team leader type of role -- they wanted a follower.  'S okay, don't think I'd have fit in, in that office, anyway.  Got my rejection letter on Thursday.  (Also the place had some technical difficulties upon their administering my Excel & Word usage 'test' -- which I imagine ended up working against me.)

Interview 2 -- I think the actual interview went alright.  But they gave me my first ever 'audio typing' test (not just typing) & I don't think I did well 'cause I couldn't understand what the guy on the tape was saying.   Even so, I don't think it's a place that I would like to work.

I found my temp placement this week very stressful, until the last day -- today!  I got to leave early - hooray!   It was a really crappy week 'cause Steve was in London on a course all week & I was home alone.   (If I'd known his course was this week, I would have turned down the temp assignment & gone down to London with him.)

So on to bigger & better things!  Two interviews (so far) scheduled for next week, waiting to hear about a possible third, plus we get our dining room furniture on Thursday!

At least you're trying. You're putting yourself out there and getting used to the people and the types of jobs available. I know companies here are slow at returning calls from resumes, at least the ones I dealt with upon graduation. I didn't even get a rejection letter from one, I had to call and find out after an interview!

I'm looking forward to finding my part time job    It's going to be quite the adjustment from this one.

Anyway - good luck and I'm glad you shared that, I didn't want to pry by asking b/c I know if something's not going well, you don't want to share, but it sounds like things are working out

  I'm looking forward to finding my part time job    It's going to be quite the adjustment from this one.

I'll keep my eye out on the part time jobs for you -- I've spotted one here & there (right here in Horsforth) but I'm trying for full time right now.  If you want any help when you get here -- looking or whatnot -- there's loads of agencies in Leeds & also I can share the different places I check regularly online for jobs.

I'll keep my eye out on the part time jobs for you -- I've spotted one here & there (right here in Horsforth) but I'm trying for full time right now. If you want any help when you get here -- looking or whatnot -- there's loads of agencies in Leeds & also I can share the different places I check regularly online for jobs.

Thanks! I will do that

Right now, I don't know whether to cry or celebrate...and there's no end in sight to the waiting & stress (yet) as we're about to leave on holiday.  I interviewed yesterday for a job that I'd really like to get & I thought I did really well in the interview.  When I took my initial skills 'assessment' with this company, they called me right away the morning of the next day.  So I was starting to feel badly as I made my lunch (around noon) & hadn't heard anything (it was a 'we'll phone the successful candidate, etc' kind of thing).  While I'm thinking that - the phone rings!!!  And it's them!!!  And...and...and... the HR lady says -- 'I didn't want to keep you waiting & thinking that you weren't successful...' (Carolyn thinks - alright!!!) '...but we have placed someone else in the position...'  :\\\'(  'However, we are waiting on (some higher up?) to 'sign off' on a second vacancy (same role) that we would like to offer you.'  (Hooray!!!)  'But we can't offer it to you until we know for sure that it's been approved...'   :\\\'(

FFS -- these people are killing me!  She went on to say that they are hopeful for securing the approval sometime this afternoon or tomorrow, BUT they may not know for sure until later -- in which case I wouldn't find out for more than TWO WEEKS from now, after our holiday.  And again, it's not for sure -- so I still may not have the job.

I feel like some higher power is taking a big dump on me right now & cackling about it in the process.  I have been looking since Feb -- and, so far, this is the ONLY real job prospect for which I really want the job (as opposed to 'ok, I would accept the job to start getting a paycheck, but...')

How stressful! If for some reason they don't have an answer by tomorrow, can't you ring them from the US at some appointed time next week?

Maybe it's just my generally positive outlook (!!), but it sounds to me like you've virtually landed yourself a job, Carolyn!  They liked you so much, they are creating another post just for you!  Well done!

If you haven't heard from them before you go, why not give them an e-mail address?  Do they know you're going away on Saturday?  I have my fingers crossed for you.

(By the way, you'll look back on this time, when you do have a job, and think - what the hell was I thinking about, wanting to work .... !!!! I am having a BAD day at work today ... yuck).

Chris

(don't ever be an actor!)

Carolyn, sorry to hear.  Seriously.

But, please keep in mind, though it does SUCK... it's ONE JOB... not THE JOB, even though it may seem like it right now.  You have no control over whom they choose, or why.  So all you can do is the best you can, and moooooooooooooove on.
Here's a tip my acting teacher used to enforce on us:  whenever you've done something... anything towards your [career], you MUST CELEBRATE.  It does NOT matter whether you got the job, what matters is that you did something, and you need to acknowledge yourself for that.
Little baby steps... must be acknowledged along the way, or you'll feel like you will never get there!
So whether you buy yourself something nice, or take time out for a hot, candle lit bubble bath... CELEBRATE.  And while you're doing it, you MUST say to yourself "I'm doing this because I.... "  So it has to be something special, not "well, I was gonna buy this thing, or do this anyway..."

OK?   

I'm gonna celebrate being done with this job for a year when I leave!!! I may have to come back, but for a year I'm going to study.

This is the best advice I've heard in a while. So true for all facets of life.

Carolyn - have hope - something will work out! Looks like now you have a contact in the business you want to work in too

balmerhon -- Yes I may try & ring the lady back tomorrow (if I don't hear anything before) to see if I could phone in while I'm away or, as Chris suggested, maybe an e-mail or something.  I was *dying* this morning, waiting for the phone to ring -- and I figured (at that time) -- good or bad, at least I'd have a straight answer!

Kuyper -- Good advice.  At this point, me being me -- I'm thinking of eating a second lunch.   But I don't think that's exactly the right kind of reward (especially since I'll be eating my way across the USA soon enough).

Chris -- I want to think positively, as you do -- I really do.  Thing is -- ever since I moved to England -- my life (except for being with Steve) tends to go according to Murphy's Law.   Plus while I want to be happy about the possibility -- there's the other part of me that's asking -- Why not me for the FIRST vacancy?!?!!  What's wrong with me?  And I know what you mean about once you actually get into a job, then wanting to just be slacking off somewhere again.

Pittpanther -- Thanks!  I'm surprised you can even think about anything right now besides getting on that airplane!!!

Yeah -- the thing about this position is that my US work experience really seemed to be a BIG PLUS in the perception of the people who were interviewing me...*sigh*  I really hope it does come through.

Well, I tried.
Good luck.

No, you did well!  I don't know how you do it, honestly -- the actress/comedienne thing.  I've had creative aspirations at times in my life -- acting (actually) when I was very young (grammar & high school) and writing all along.  Just seems so scary & precarious as to making a living -- plus dealing with all the rejection.  How do you do it?

PS -- My top two 'starring roles' (not really starring but more than a couple lines) were Judge Gaffney (sp?) in Harvey -- the drama teacher switched it from a male to a female role for me...and Grace in Bus Stop (both plays were in high school theater).  Oh & I played the 'Queen of the Christmas Spirits' or some such when I was in third grade 'cause I had the strongest singing voice at the time.

THIS JUST IN!!!!  The HR lady phoned me back, it's been approved!!!!  She's posting the employment contract & initiating contact with my references.

Such a relief!!  I can celebrate after all.

(Now if the furniture delivery people who are supposed to bring our dining table & chairs *sometime* today -- will just show up & do their job -- so I can stop waiting around here otherwise...life is fabulous. )

GOOD NEWS!! That really is great, well done to you Carolyn.  You should be able to enjoy your trip without worrying about whether you'll have a job.  And, hey, these people sound pretty efficient and decent enough to call you back the same day.  Hooray for them and hooray for you!

You, Steve and I, will have to do an 'office worker power lunch' down at Granary Wharf when you get back!

Congrats Carolyn!  That is excellent news!  Enjoy your holiday back in the States.
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