Worse Than An IA

My condolences Bmore.

My sympathies as well Bmore.

My neighbor comes from a very large family -- but she lost one of her sisters last year at this time and now her brother's been given only a few weeks to live. She's going down to Florida to say good-bye.

My neighbor comes from a very large family -- but she lost one of her sisters last year at this time and now her brother's been given only a few weeks to live. She's going down to Florida to say good-bye.

 

Things at work look really grim. We have five production lines, but have cut back to only using two of them because we can't afford to run the others. Angry farmers are ringing up and demanding late payments. I open the post and it's full of debt collection letters. The directors keep saying that things will turn around in a few months once we launch some new products, but the investors have refused more money to keep things going just now. DH just came downstairs and told me to start looking for another job because the company can't afford to buy paper hats for the employees.

I am still waiting for ILR, so I'm not sure anyone would hire me without my visa, but I suppose it might be ok, since I have a UK driving licence for ID and copies of my spousal visa and passport (not certified, though), along with a letter showing I have applied and my case is being reviewed.  On the plus side, I found an amazing job just now I would love to have, but I'm also afraid that reaching for the stars might prove to be a dissapointment. Still, it's always worth a try.

That stinks, Jewlz, about your current employer.  But I think you should definitely go for the amazing job - you never know what can happen! 

That stinks, Jewlz, about your current employer.  But I think you should definitely go for the amazing job - you never know what can happen! 

Only problem is that the post would start 1st September (great because I may have my visa by then anyway) but bad because my parents are coming 15 September through the 25th. 

Only problem is that the post would start 1st September (great because I may have my visa by then anyway) but bad because my parents are coming 15 September through the 25th. 

Go for it, Jewlz! Don't worry about the time your parents are going to be over. If you let them know up front that this is pre-booked, there is a good chance they'll be willing to work with you on it.

Only problem is that the post would start 1st September (great because I may have my visa by then anyway) but bad because my parents are coming 15 September through the 25th. 

Aww... J I'm so sorry to hear about your work... but you never know, go for the new job! When DH switched jobs right before I moved to the UK in 2007 he just told them that he had an existing holiday booked and they were more than accomodating -- he had to take it without pay but he was still off for that time.

Don't let it stop you from going for it.

Aww... J I'm so sorry to hear about your work... but you never know, go for the new job! When DH switched jobs right before I moved to the UK in 2007 he just told them that he had an existing holiday booked and they were more than accomodating -- he had to take it without pay but he was still off for that time.

Don't let it stop you from going for it.

I have to agree that having pre-booked holiday is incredibly common.  I would be surprised if someone didn't have holiday already booked rather than be mad about it.

Oh cool, thanks everyone!!! This job offers pay that is two and half times what I currently earn (haha!) so not sure if they would take me after I've been working for two years as a receptionist, but I do have a Masters from the US and should probably stop selling myself short. I know I am worth more, and I think I could be a good match for the role since there is extensive training involved (it's kind of an IT thing involving working with a special E-learning system and they train you on the system - I'm a fast learner and pretty sure I could man a computer lab at a school!) And best of all, it's out here in the county, so not too far from where we live. 

Oh cool, thanks everyone!!! This job offers pay that is two and half times what I currently earn (haha!) so not sure if they would take me after I've been working for two years as a receptionist, but I do have a Masters from the US and should probably stop selling myself short. I know I am worth more, and I think I could be a good match for the role since there is extensive training involved (it's kind of an IT thing involving working with a special E-learning system and they train you on the system - I'm a fast learner and pretty sure I could man a computer lab at a school!) And best of all, it's out here in the county, so not too far from where we live. 

The pre-booked holiday is a non issue It's really common and I wouldn't worry a jot about it.

The receptionist thing is also nothing to worry about - it's a good thing! You just need to sell it as a good thing.
Let's face it, you moved to a strange country, to a small town, was in an overwhelming situation, and not only did you find work, you found work where it's impossible to hide (not that you should!) and you actually have to talk to strangers all day everyday, in the office on the phone, you keep multiple things running whilst you give good customer service, you've never been a receptionist before so had to learn lots of things FAST in a high pressure situation, you're an important part of a team, you've learnt about office culture and working in the UK - all great experiences, that show a lot about who you are as a person, your attitude to work and your ability to roll your sleeves up and get things done.
Now go tell that interviewer exactly how great you are! (and good luck!)

The pre-booked holiday is a non issue It's really common and I wouldn't worry a jot about it.

The receptionist thing is also nothing to worry about - it's a good thing! You just need to sell it as a good thing.
Let's face it, you moved to a strange country, to a small town, was in an overwhelming situation, and not only did you find work, you found work where it's impossible to hide (not that you should!) and you actually have to talk to strangers all day everyday, in the office on the phone, you keep multiple things running whilst you give good customer service, you've never been a receptionist before so had to learn lots of things FAST in a high pressure situation, you're an important part of a team, you've learnt about office culture and working in the UK - all great experiences, that show a lot about who you are as a person, your attitude to work and your ability to roll your sleeves up and get things done.
Now go tell that interviewer exactly how great you are! (and good luck!)

Agreed!  Best of luck Jewlz!

The receptionist thing is also nothing to worry about - it's a good thing! You just need to sell it as a good thing.
Let's face it, you moved to a strange country, to a small town, was in an overwhelming situation, and not only did you find work, you found work where it's impossible to hide (not that you should!) and you actually have to talk to strangers all day everyday, in the office on the phone, you keep multiple things running whilst you give good customer service, you've never been a receptionist before so had to learn lots of things FAST in a high pressure situation, you're an important part of a team, you've learnt about office culture and working in the UK - all great experiences, that show a lot about who you are as a person, your attitude to work and your ability to roll your sleeves up and get things done.
Now go tell that interviewer exactly how great you are! (and good luck!)

I so agree with this.

...I'm also afraid that reaching for the stars might prove to be a dissapointment. Still, it's always worth a try.

Absolutely.  I say go for it.

cheesebiscuit has wise words. 

Awww, thanks everyone! I spent some time on my CV last night and it's actually looking pretty good! I've found a few things to emphasize that pertain to the job I'm applying for (example: to show project management skills, I explained how I designed and maintained a telesales campaign with a database of over 200 contacts for my current employer, and then I also discussed the final project for my Masters degree, research and analysis of online photo sharing and its effect on personal relationships and society.) I played up my unique degree (I have a Master of Arts in Art and Technology) and pointed out some of the lectures I attended which focused on digital narratives, virtual worlds, and interactive media. The job description states that they would like someone with some web design experience (either personal hobby or professional) and I did create my own photography website for a multimedia class, but I didn't renew the subscription, so there really isn't anything I can show them if they ask (plus I created it using iWeb for Mac, so I'm no professional by any means!) Should I still list this project on my CV anyway?