Let there be light....

Sir/madam,

Can I interest you in some bulbs for your shiny new purchase.....LED is the future....

In bed

Still in bed but only 7.30....

Expectations

Applying for jobs is a funny ole game. When I applied for the Prime Ministers job (had been made vacant after El Tony Blair left office) I got a polite thanks but no thanks letter. That is a good way to deal with applications even speculative attempts. Conversely when I have applied to jobs with Arnold Clark I get no reply at all. Ever. That is very poor. That company is successful. Figure that one out......

All change....

Once again, relentless pursuit, I am changing jobs. Only managed 2 weeks with Sainsbury before pulling the plug on it. My days as a Masterbaker are over after tomorrow. Some would say that once I Masterbaker always a........The job was fine and I was surrounded by all my favourite smells but I cannot adequately survive on a 3 day working week. Sounds like a dream but I just spend half the week bored and feeling jobless. So now this job floosy moves onwards and starts with John Lewis next week. More retail therapy awaits. What lies ahead....?

Pain

Going to work and forgetting to take pack lunch then having to buy a supermarket sandwich.

New chapter...

Another new start....

Retail

Despite my ongoing non-success at office job interviews it seems my future (short term) lies in retail. I have a part time job starting with Sainsbury next week. Had to jump through several hoops to get it. Should be more excited than I am. Must buy suitable trainers.

Sitting

In Starbucks waiting for my hot coffee to cool. Have another council interview later this morning. Going on past experience I am managing my expectations accordingly. I am a 'good' candidate in many ways but not the correct ones. I will give this a good go but don't think I have a great chance. There you go. Downbeat.....

Next please

In a coffee shop (drinking tea) getting ready for an interview in 18 mins. 

Must go to toilet

Good luck to me.

Again

Here I sit

back in my original coffee shop. Why? Because it is quieter with less hardcore house music pumping through my head. Actually the musac is on and, ironically, still annoys me. I am, after all, trying to prep for another council interview today.

Will this be my lucky day....can I make the luck happen? Beware for exciting updates xxx

Retail

Interview with Sainsbury next week in Cove. Part-time 21 hours p/week. Maybe shopping and customer-led interaction is where my future lies. Access to bananas too!

Changing....

Historically when applying for customer service jobs (retail e.g. John Lewis, M&S) I get rejected fairly immediately after I complete the online tests. These are situational judgement tests designed to assess your suitability working with customers and colleagues. I always fail but in the last few days I have passed. What does this say about my personality? Am I changing? Why am I changing? Now I have to turn online success into actual feet on the ground employment.

Friday

Today is the end of another week on the roller coaster. Still no job secured but I am still hanging on. Going to Silver Surfers this morning so have stopped end route for an Americano. I just did some gas. Bit pongy. I asked the staff here in my usual upbeat chatty way if they had the Friday Feeling. The all replied 'no'. Must be me I thought but actually they blame the weather:

I do too

The sun will shine soon I am sure.

Jobs

I am now applying for jobs where a killer question is 'do you bite your nails'.....not yet is not an acceptable answer....

Me

Me

2/2

I got two job knock backs today. Taking it on chin. Tomorrow is another day. Next week may be paved with gold. I am drinking gin.

3 x interviews

I had 3 interviews this week. A veritable bonanza of opportunity. Two of them I am desperately keen on but, in true Dave style, I feel very negative about how they went. Neither were a disaster but I feel they didn't go as I had hoped. Do they ever? The 3rd I felt went well and I was a dead cert for the job. Didn't get it. There is a pattern perhaps? In a coffee shop mulling over events. Past present and future. Coffee will bankrupt me!

Interviews

I have 2 maybe 3 interviews this week. Two are for jobs that I absolutely definitely want. Sitting in a coffee shop now working/thinking about these. Do I overthink? I think not but that is just me thinking. On the way home I will think out loud. I have to go and sign on later. Today I have to meet with David R. Not sure why but I cannot question this. A necessary evil. Not evil really. More essential to my trying to forge ahead and future proof life. Life is a journey. A series of mostly work related crises. Be the bigger better man.

My view

Here I sit....

Planning plotting researching studying thinking and drinking coffee....

Healthy body healthy mind

Currently between jobs...again, so I am again taking all opportunities to keep fit. So I am hiking up and down Bennachie again. Well twice in a week. Seems like a habit. A good habit as long as I don't keel over on the descent section

No damage done so far. In time......

New coffee joint

Music is getting more annoying ..,,

New

This coffee shop is now my preferred joint. It has s loyalty card system ( I am very loyal....it says so on my CV and numerous applications), plays funky, slightly annoying, sounds and your chosen drink/food is brought your table.

Where I am...

.....waiting for an interview 

Hope...

....I get this job

ACC interview

Have an interview today with Aberdeen City Council (my 4th). This is with planning department. I have done my research in how my experience matches. I want/need this job. It's all about the future and embracing possibilities. Right now I am in Starbucks with a slightly greasy (but tasty) tuna sandwich. Wish me luck on this exciting adventure.....

Answer me this.....

New millennium new me.....but late

Here we go....

Back in the system......

Time to sign

Brand

Same brand but in different location. My seat was too soft so I moved. Brought my own austerity biscuits!

Saturday madness

More upskilling in order to protect my future. Coffee beans are Invictus:

Wish me luck as I consume knowledge and snacks...

On and on and on

I have had my 6 holes of golf today. Not the greatest but a couple of good shots. Found a load of balls too!

Now in library continuing to upskill my personal knowledge base (kept in my head) with the intent of......watch this space

Love knowledge and golf. Not equally though.

Lost

Further to my earlier post about golf being a rediscovered passion I went out and played 6 holes. Mixed bag but more good than bad. I am ab idly out of practice and lost my sand iron. Actually list it. Have no idea how. I was in no bunkers. Maybe Bob Bob Sandy and Joe will find it?!

Projects

During this period of being 'between jobs' I have decided to upskill myself. Chosen areas for improvement are:

Gardening

Golfing

Making pancakes 

This project is designed to keep me sane.

Gibber gibber wooooosh....easier said than done

Bright but chilly

Going golfing.....

Job hunting

The only way is up.......until you hit the roof

Passion

In interviews and in cover letters I talk about my 'passion' for recruitment. More correct would be my passion for getting a job for me. I am, once again, looking for that gold pot. I have followed this rainbow for years. Talking of passion now that I have additional enforced spare time I have rediscovered golf. It is going well but my putting needs improving and I still have a wee slice. Occasionally when I catch it well I draw the ball. That makes me happy. Happy like getting a job!

History repeating

Well, that is me without a job yet again. Last contract was maternity cover and finished last week. So here we go. All starts this morning with a visit to the job centre. Aww bless....poor Davie. What lies ahead in this city of shrinking opportunity? Not much with that attitude! No doubt more daily routines will be established. Have to keep trying because I AM!

bit upset....but heyho...

Dear Mr Morrison

Thank you for your recent application for the post of Regional Manager, International Office.

After carefully considering the details of all applicants, we have drawn up a shortlist for interview. I regret to advise you that unfortunately we are not able to include your name on the shortlist on this occasion, as there were other candidates whose career details matched the specification more closely than your own.

We realise that this will be very disappointing for you but hope that this will not deter you from applying for any appropriate vacancy in future.

The personal development of all our employees is important to us and we would encourage you to continue to discuss your career aspirations and personal development with your line manager on an ongoing basis and through the Employee Review process.

Thank you again for the interest you have shown in this position and keep your chin up and aspirations down xx


who are these better skilled persons/other candidates?

patience appreciated....

Good morning

Thank you for applying for the role.

We look forward to reviewing your application.

Our review process is rigorous, and the anticipated volume of applications for this position means that we will be unable to respond to everyone individually.

Successful applicants will be contacted to arrange an interview. We will endeavour to respond to you within one week.

Your patience is appreciated.

Please manage your expectations accordingly xx

aww noo......

Dear Mr. Morrison

Vacancy Title: HR Partner (Resourcing) – Maternity Cover
Vacancy Reference: 035516

Further to your application for the above post, I regret to inform you that on this occasion you have not been successful.

I would encourage you to continue to use your account at www.ed.ac.uk/jobs, where you can view all jobs and request notifications of vacancies that may be of interest to you but also be of no interest.
Chin up...xxxxx

endless possibilities....when will I hear?

Thank you for registering on our website. If you have set up and activated your search profiles you will receive regular updates on all the new jobs that match your criteria.
Don't give up hope. The dark days get lighter.....xxxx

more of the same...........BIG BLAHS........

Thanks for being so patient whilst we made our decisions on the Resourcing Consultant role.

 

We’ve reviewed all of the applications and sadly decided not to invite you for interview.  There was some really strong competition for this role and we felt the others who have been invited for interview have skills which more closely match what we are looking for.

 

Whilst we understand you must be bitterly disappointed as we crush your dreams with generic application feedback we would encourage you to dust yourself down and keep trying, trying and trying. Just like a wee beastie xx

 

 

Review

I am in bed (it is Sunday) reading back over all my posts. Some are funny but all are tinged with job/life related angst. Ongoing theme or the 'golden thread' as I lie in bed. Still no change. I am a hunter hunting nirvana. I have to get up soon and change the duvet. That is my most immediate challenge. I have others.

Theme

Reading back through my assorted posts (somebody has to read this stuff) and I can detect a recurring theme or, indeed, a Golden Thread. Seems that I am having consistent trouble pining down a secure career. The 'path' I trek is long and bumpy. One false step could be disastrous but, maybe just maybe, round that next corner all is wonderful...!?!

Same page

I maybe try to turn the pages and move the story (of my working life) forward but sometimes can't help feeling that I am stuck on the same page over and over. Not because it is exciting and I just can't bring myself move on. I am stuck and moving forward is slow. Not a fast reader.