The recession, benefits, the safety net, and the learning curve

Max_Headroom_3

Funny you say that actually.

I had an interview on Tuesday (first one I've had after applying for loads of positions). Went really well, and a great company, superb product, local to me, excellent salary, the perfect job! In fact of all the jobs I've applied for, if I'd the choice I'd have picked this one without a moments hesitation.

They were flooded with applicants apparently, and were interviewing six (I think).

Just heard yesterday (phone call from the director no less) to say that he was really sorry, hugely difficult decision between the top three (of which I was one), would happily have given the job to any one of us in a heartbeat, but ultimately of course could only choose one, and sadly this time it wasn't me.

Was really hoping to add a post to this thread with good news, but fell at the final furlong.

So currently vacillating between being pleased at getting so close, and gutted at being just pipped to the finish-line.

So back to square one I go... :sad:

lostinrates

Max_Headroom wrote: »

....

So back to square one I go... :sad:

not really. Afer all, you now know its not a glaring omission on your CV or poor application, its just...life. When you don't get interview it can be demoralising and you start to wonder what you are doing wrong. DH did LOADS of applications: and ended up in his first choice firm, but not in his first choice of year:rolleyes: .

Max_Headroom_3

You're right of course LiR, and I do keep telling myself that at least I've proved that I am employable outside of my original specialized field, so it's all good really.

Just hard to think positively when, but for the narrowest of margins, I could be starting on Monday and seeing the cash rolling back in again.

Generali

Max_Headroom wrote: »

You're right of course LiR, and I do keep telling myself that at least I've proved that I am employable outside of my original specialized field, so it's all good really.

Just hard to think positively when, but for the narrowest of margins, I could be starting on Monday and seeing the cash rolling back in again.

Keep your chin up old boy.

I applied for 120+ jobs and now have 2 offers plus the job I'm doing already. It looks like I'm going to end up as a University lecturer and doing a masters degree on the side.

It is really, really tough to keep churn out the applications despite all the rejections but you've gotta keep going. Try to look for transferable skills and all that guff. Basically it's a numbers thing - if you apply for enough jobs you'll get one. To do that you need to stay positive.

What worked for me was trying to think of one new angle each weekend (I wouldn't apply for jobs on the weekend) and try it out. One week I looked at every single local council website in the whole of New South Wales which was particularly soul destroying. At least it motivated me to find something less dreadful to do the following week.

My other tip would be to make sure you get up in the morning. It's really easy to end up going to bed at 3am and then be unable to get up and fall into a bad lifestyle. I fell for this one pretty badly and paired it with drinking too much too. A bad combination.

Good luck and keep going. You'll get something in the end.

Jennifer_Jane

Anything can happen, Max. I returned here in 1998 and temped. My 2nd week of temping, I went to work (just for a week) for a senior manager in the Company. She seemed to like me, and a year or so later when she had a permanent job she asked me to apply. I didn't get that job, so kept on temping at the Company. The new person left after a year - I was asked to reinterview. I didn't get that either (!), but the person they chose turned down the job. They asked me to reinterview and - eventually - I got the job, despite HR not wanting me incidentally.

Worked for that manager for 7 years till she left the role, and I'm still in the Company although about to retire.

My point being that if you were so close anything can happen and it may be that a few months down the line they realise their mistake... and give you a call. (And also, that I had to swallow my pride quite a bit!).

You've been networking!

Very best of luck, Max. Your OP gave a lot of food for thought (doesn't pay the bills, though, I realise).

Incidentally - I also have been made redundant several times, and gone off my career path back into secretarial work - I have had two of the most amazing temporary jobs - one was working for a few weeks to bring South African businessmen together during the apartheid era, post-1976 riots - a task not entirely unwatched by BOSS (the Secret Service). The other was working on a launch for a new flight training scheme at an airport. Sir Douglas Bader was the keynote speaker and brought out to South Africa to launch it - I had to phone round all his old WW2 buddies to see if they would come to the launch (and were still alive). I also had a Spitfire just outside my office window.

So moving away from your career path to do something ostensibly demeaning may have unknown rewards - using whatever skills you have to get working again.

Max_Headroom_3

Thank you Jennifer, all excellent points.

In fact, very much along the lines of your thoughts, I have said to the chap that I liked his operation very much, and that if he had any part time or temporary work in that sector or indeed at a lower level then I'd be very keen to get involved. Foot in the door and all that.

fc123

Max_Headroom wrote: »

Funny you say that actually.

I had an interview on Tuesday (first one I've had after applying for loads of positions). Went really well, and a great company, superb product, local to me, excellent salary, the perfect job! In fact of all the jobs I've applied for, if I'd the choice I'd have picked this one without a moments hesitation.

They were flooded with applicants apparently, and were interviewing six (I think).

Just heard yesterday (phone call from the director no less) to say that he was really sorry, hugely difficult decision between the top three (of which I was one), would happily have given the job to any one of us in a heartbeat, but ultimately of course could only choose one, and sadly this time it wasn't me.

Was really hoping to add a post to this thread with good news, but fell at the final furlong.

So currently vacillating between being pleased at getting so close, and gutted at being just pipped to the finish-line.

So back to square one I go... :sad:

Keep the faith Max....the world can be so bluddy hard sometimes.

It will turn up, I am sure, y'know, a mega job/opportunity.

We have all been there. I feel like someone just knocked me out. I made a new job for myself, the fallout from the redundant one has been spectacular and I am reeling.

Silly really, all I want to do is pay bills, eat and exist bla de bla.....nothing fancy or '''above myself''.

Doesn;'t help I am plugged into Winter by Vivaldi at the mo....so posts may be a bit emotional.:o

fc123

Generali wrote: »

Keep your chin up old boy.

I applied for 120+ jobs and now have 2 offers plus the job I'm doing already. It looks like I'm going to end up as a University lecturer and doing a masters degree on the side.

It is really, really tough to keep churn out the applications despite all the rejections but you've gotta keep going. Try to look for transferable skills and all that guff. Basically it's a numbers thing - if you apply for enough jobs you'll get one. To do that you need to stay positive.

What worked for me was trying to think of one new angle each weekend (I wouldn't apply for jobs on the weekend) and try it out. One week I looked at every single local council website in the whole of New South Wales which was particularly soul destroying. At least it motivated me to find something less dreadful to do the following week.

My other tip would be to make sure you get up in the morning. It's really easy to end up going to bed at 3am and then be unable to get up and fall into a bad lifestyle. I fell for this one pretty badly and paired it with drinking too much too. A bad combination.

Good luck and keep going. You'll get something in the end.

Thing is Gen...I always had you marked out as a closet academic (my family is painfully academic..not me unfortunately)...and I do feel, sometimes,we can end up where we were meant to be...but via a different way.

I can't wait to read your book when it comes out in the future......mind you, I picked up the essence from earlier posts here so have a head start.

ceridwen

Max - sorry to hear that you had the "so near - yet so far" experience. You never know though - things may yet work out with that firm. Keeping fingers crossed for you.

As for Generali marked out as a "closet academic"....well....I guess this is where we all get a bit of "light relief" whereby we state what we reckon others on this thread could do for a type of job......I tend to get very amused by that myself and will actually go off and do some pondering on that thought - as I do one type of job, but frequently get identified as one specific other type of job (but never ever the type of job I actually do ITRW).

Hmmm...think we've all got some food for thought there......square pegs/round holes...obvious matches....

Lobs that conversational "ball" into the rink ....and heads off for a breather...

fc123

ceridwen wrote: »

Lobs that conversational "ball" into the rink ....and heads off for a breather...

Another converstional ball, up in the air for moi at the mo, is how totally mean, shallow, vile, spiteful and avaricious people can be in their work and dealings with their fellow man.