Moving forward and upwards

Skint_yet_Again

Could you try shredding whilst sitting on a chair next time rather than the floor? I put my papers on the table and the shredder on a coffee table so I don’t have to bend. I find it painful sitting on the floor too 

Good luck with your to-do list today and for your reinstatement & your interviews on Monday. 

MovingForwards

Thank you DIA, for J2 I'm having waves of confidence and occasional tsunami's of panic when the voices of other agencies pop in my head saying 'you don't have enough experience up here'. I counteract it with thinking I've more than enough from elsewhere, with my limited experience for up here and on a more technical level than I'm going for. The job spec only says experience doing this line of work, not how many years.

J1 I'm definitely overthinking and putting myself under pressure. It's such a niche role the chances of finding someone with the exact experience is slim to none, therefore they'll be looking for someone who can learn and do it well.

Thanks Chrystal. My membership lapsed, I wasn't in that environment when it occurred and I've turned things around. Logically, how can they sanction me when over the years others have done so much worse, and impacted on the reputation, yet got a slap on the wrist (fine). Heck, I worked with someone who was never able to work alone, always had to be supervised in a company, yet was allowed their membership.

Thanks Skinty, it was the stress building about everything which contributed to the pain, I've always say on the floor to do it and (normally) found shredding to be therapeutic; out with the old and all that. Not sure if I'll buy a new shredder or just take stuff into work and do it.

My research has taken me down another route, but unfortunately the website is so slow I'm struggling to quickly resolve a two second query. 

I've finished working out my questions, need to have a quick look at J1 spec and work out some answers / examples. I'll be making a start at noon and my ending will be when I set up the VC area tonight.

savingholmes

Good luck with your preparations. You are certainly being thorough.

MovingForwards

Thanks SH, I may be overprepared as I took another look at the J1 spec and realised there's only two parts I don't have experience of, but do have transferable skills to cover one of them. It's also a supervisory role.

I've researched J1, found various things I'd need to know inside out and pulled a few bits from it, while also giving myself a quick refresher on my basic knowledge.

Had another look at J2 spec and some webpages as a refresher for that. I've enough time between interviews to have another quick refresher of the process.

Sorted my VC area, tidied up everything that's line of sight, done a trial run with the arm chair; it's the sort that would be in waiting areas. Picked my suit, gone for the classic black skirt / jacket with white blouse.  Walked aimlessly round the flat numerous times. 

All day I've mentally run through my CV, how I'd apply it to both specs and which aspects I'd use against the potential questions. And redone the questions I'll be asking, I'm happier with them now.

I've had TomBo constantly interrupting all day, but my mind kept running. I was better placed to cope with him doing that today!

I'll be shaving my legs and painting my nails first thing in the morning.

Yeah, I've definitely done enough 🤞

Didn't make it into the garden, but once I'm done tomorrow the rest of the day is mine to catch up on everything else I wanted to do 😊

I've eaten, got my feet up and watching a film.

MovingForwards

First interview could have gone better, if it was an exam I'd say I had scraped a pass. Way too nervous.

Second interview went extremely well, as to be expected with so much prior experience. Really jelled with the main interviewer, second one is just there as another opinion.

During the 'tell us about yourself and your employment history' I condensed my whole professional career into 7 minutes and it made their questions easier as it would always start with "you mentioned this, can you elaborate on it in relation to Y". 

They explained the whole ethos of the company and how everyone is supported / encouraged to develop and no one is pigeon holed. Totally different from every career position I've had and what I was always looking for.

I'll find out about both of them in a few weeks 🤞

The icing on the cake.....my membership has been reinstated!
- Unfortunately the 'blip' has yet to be investigated, but I'll deal with that if and when the time comes. I've drawn heavily on when I did them and logically I think I'll be ok.

As I'm a bit excitable, I made a vanilla latte but forgot to boil the kettle first 🙈

It's raining, so no gardening today, instead I'm sat with my feet up and unwinding, while TomBo keeps popping his head in to talk with me. 

Chrystal

Great news about your membership. 

Skint_yet_Again

Great news about your interview 🤞 and your membership reinstatement 

MovingForwards

Thank you Chrystal and Skinty

I have letters after my name again 🤭

It does feel like the right time to return to my previous career and I'd excel in J2 if I'm offered it.
- I've still got loads of applications in and will secure something one way or another.

I'm having a few weeks of doing CPD, I've got to do for my membership and it will act as a refresher, and then I'll order my first module. That will give me time learn and be prepared for the exam later this year; I've five exams to pass in 3.5 years and will have to double up on some.
- on top of that I need to do one course here and I'll have to try and time that well; I'll have CPD for that too.

I've spent £180 on my two fees, they came from my car pot. I'll use my new current account for paying my training and membership fees.

TomBo is totally supportive of this and has loads of faith and confidence in me, which makes a huge difference. He's surprised I didn't try harder to return before, but I didn't have the fire in my belly.

I'm struggling to stay still and my head is buzzing working everything out! 

savingholmes

Excellent. Lovely to have membership back

MovingForwards

Thanks SH, it feels great to have it back and I'll update my CV to reflect it. 

I've toe and finger nails in matching silver polish. Haven't got round to shaving my legs and I'll do it after work at some point this week. 

It's been raining all day, great for the garden.

We had a spicy rice with veg and homegrown borlotto beans 😃