Better half of 2014 - all about me

lulabelle

thanks guys! just doing some prep now and am quite nervous as the job is in an area of law I've never practised in before. That said, I can learn the law, it's the other skills they are looking for (the ability to be able to present to boards, attention to detail, ability to work to deadlines etc) which you can't learn overnight but which luckily my current job has taught me.

Speaking of which: work are being soon difficult now. I want a day off at the start of december to go away with the boy and they won't let me on the basis they need me. They won't even let me leave an hour and a half early to get a different time of transport. I think it's because I'm going so they are doing what they can to spite me and just keep throwing loads of work at me now to get their pound of flesh. I will just have to tough it out and think it's not that long and I'll be out of there.

I really don't think I'll get this job though.

MSE wise this weekend was awful! Boy and I went out saturday night but ended up spending about #80 each and went mad on the drinks so i spent all of yesterday throwing up! total waste of a day and the meal on sat night wasn't even that nice. Still, it was nice to have a night out just the two of us - we had a lot of fun.

just seems like money is flowing only 1 way at the moment and not the right way. we are off on hols on weds (just for 4 nights) and boys mum feeding the cat whilst we are away so we have said we will go to see her tomorrow night and take dinner with us - bought it at lunchtime and that was almost 17! also had to get a birthday card for his brother in law. like i said, just flowing the wrong way.

well, better sign off and do some more prep. have researched the company now going to prep some answers for the inevitable "why are you leaving" and also try to learn a bit about the area of law they are interested in

LondonGirl252

Wishing you all the best of luck, let us know how it goes. If you haven't gone in yet be your self and be confident. Like you said, you can learn the law the way you will win this job is to show you are the kind of person they want to employ.


And for your current company, that sounds mega unreasonable. I guess if you were able to secure a new position and have some financial security you could always get a nasty cold that day

lulabelle

ok so not sure how it went. was a telephone interview initially and I do worry they don't think I have the right experience (though if so, why bother interviewing me as my cv clearly shows I don't). So will wait and see - they are prepping a short list and I should hear towards end of this week or early next.

there's no getting round the fact I don't have experience in that area so depends if the other skills I have and the fact I can learn that stuff outweigh it - also guess it depends on the competition!

nothing i can do about it now anyway!

have just put all my stuff out to be packed - think boy will want to do it as we are sharing a suitcase. work let me go early amazingly - maybe they felt bad about the day off request refusal.

just waiting for the boy to get home so we can go to his mums for tea - am starving!!!!!

didn't spend too much today, needed conditioner and eye make up remover pads so got those. taxi to airport in morning will be an expense but will just have to wear it

LondonGirl252

Got my fingers crossed for you, really hard to come across well on the telephone but I am sure you managed it!


Glad they let you go early, hope you have a fabulous time! Relax and Enjoy!

Brightspark87

Hi

I found through LG your diary (s!) and have finished reading. Like LG and you I have had a super stressful job in the City of London and recently made the move to the West Country. Was the best!! Life is much easier now (touch wood). You will do it. You will find something that works for you, if its the in house one fab well done! If you fancy a move to Bristol (you mentioned a long time ago) I can always pop you in touch with solicitors I know although with your boy I am sure you would rather stay where you are. Hope you hear about the job soon x

lulabelle

Thanks for the words of encouragement guys!

Brightspark, how did you get yourself to make the change? Do you earn less now and did you adjust ok?

We are away now - it's really nice but really expensive and find am worrying about how much we are spending as know am going to be unemployed from end jan. Don't want it to ruin our break so trying not to worry. Want to have a frugal November but we have so many dinners out planned I'm not sure we can

lulabelle

sadly back to reality and now a 9 week (well, 8 full and 4 working days) slog until next time off (am off 25 dec-4 jan). Must try not to get depressed though I did cry last night, both at holiday being over and thought of going back to work and for so long without a break.

Dreading credit card bill - we always put stuff on one card (mine cos I get points) but its then so easy to lose track of what spending is. Also usually takes a few days for the transactions to show so you can't even be sure how much you're in debt for a few days!!

Anyway, enough doom and gloom - positives of this week: 1) run tomorrow night and train wednesday morning - the endorphins should help, 2) have the girls round for a girlie night weds, gossip should cheer me up, 3) off out for a meal with friends on friday night (just a curry) but again, nice end to week, 4) boy's flat is let from sunday which means I get an extra 744 a month which I wasn't really expecting until jan, 5) we are out for sunday lunch with friends this sunday - good food and good company, 6) get paid tomorrow! much needed, plus I am trying to squirrel away what I can for when I am unemployed so it just feels good to be able to whack money away into a specially set up savings account, 7) we get our new mattress tomorrow - quite nice as its "ours" and also should help to aid sleep!

Happy monday peeps. x

Buffythedebtslayer

Wow, well done for giving in your notice! Am a bit behind clearly

Having a long notice period does suck but I try to think it shows them in their true colours and reinforces your reasons for leaving.

Not long now and you won't be there any more. How good is that!

Brightspark87

lulabelle wrote: »

Thanks for the words of encouragement guys!

Brightspark, how did you get yourself to make the change? Do you earn less now and did you adjust ok?

We are away now - it's really nice but really expensive and find am worrying about how much we are spending as know am going to be unemployed from end jan. Don't want it to ruin our break so trying not to worry. Want to have a frugal November but we have so many dinners out planned I'm not sure we can

Hi, so what happened was london was making us both unhappy. I am an IFA and worked in the city so very high pressure very long hours and I was just stressed. I was being given loads of responsibility but no additional pay. When I explained my frustrations I was knocked down. So in Feb last year my grandmother in law passed, we were driving past bristol. ( I was also very upset at my work as I have never asked for time off like this before but they said blood relitives only I had to take holiday. So I made a comment about hoping my adopted dad didnt pass away whilst I worked there and took an extra days holiday to annoy them)! We have always loved it and when I first met DH he loved there but as I had the higher earning job, he moved to london.
So, I then spoke to a very selective few recruitment agencies explained the type of company I wanted to be put forward too. It was quite a straight forward process to get the job really. I also went for other jobs in London and infact was offered a really amazing one with a huge pay rise. However, the money was not important (an extra £15k is amazing but not worth it if mentally you are not happy). So I moved here. Money wise, I took a basic pay cut of £5,500, although now I have a far more generous bonus structure. So with the cheaper cost of living I am roughly the same. However, the chance to earn bigger bonuses. Also DH actually got a pay rise in the move! Not much but all adds up.

Its the lifestyle that has been the biggest change. I was getting into the office in London at 730-7:45 every morning (leaving home by 7am). Now I get into the office at some point before 9am, sometimes even 8:50am! Then leave at 5. Before, it was like a competition to see who could stay the longest. If I have to see a client I work longer hours but then equally, if a meeting finishes at 4 or something not expected to go back in so all works out.

I think moneywise its just been a great move from the point that we can hopefully afford to buy a house ( I know this isn't one for you as you own already but you still get more for your money) and possibly be able to afford a family - something that would have been a nightmare in london. mentally - I feel like I have far more freedom and enjoying life more.

Anyhow enjoy your break, its important to relax:T

Brightspark87

Buffythedebtslayer wrote: »

Wow, well done for giving in your notice! Am a bit behind clearly

Having a long notice period does suck but I try to think it shows them in their true colours and reinforces your reasons for leaving.

Not long now and you won't be there any more. How good is that!

cannot agree with this more! I had 3 month notice and they really were doing their best to make me unhappy.... including telling me what my bonus would have been if I'd have stayed!