My current job search has been more of a casual wander than a full scale hunt.
Assured by the age old saying "ah, something will come up", I've mostly been leaving my search in the hands of word of mouth, recruitment consultants and job websites.
The latter might not be everyone's cuppa tea, but I find the regular calls from agents (no matter how useless) can be a welcome boost if, like me, your sent items folder is full of applications and covering letters that have barely got an acknowledgement, let alone a reply.
They're persistent little buggers though, I'll give them that. My new call-screening process meant this morning's unknown number was immediately declined and sent to voicemail. While I listened to the generic, uninspiring message straight from Suited Sam in Slough, a text beeped through. Then an e-mail. So enthralled was I about this "very exciting opportunity" in my "local area" with a "blue chip client" that, at time of writing, I've forgotten to call, text or email him back. At least that's one person with a worse strategy than me.
But for every agent looking to bolster their books, there's the odd genuine call about an h’actual, real, proper job.
One of those calls came on Friday, from a company director who had seen my CV online and wanted to set up an interview.
As I re-read the job spec later, a twinge of apprehension came over me. There's no doubt about it. The confidence I started with in April has slowly but surely ebbed. In the space of two interviews, I've been questioned on everything from anxiety to arithmetic, and none of it has culminated in anything other than a new found fear of sitting in The Chair, floundering through answers. Even blogging about it seems like tempting fate.
So, with a little help from my online friends (a million times, thank you) and Google, I've started preparing. Trying to cover all angles. Pinning down every aspect of the job and industry so that I'm not caught out. I will be, of course, but at least this way, the one thing I won't be left thinking is "damn, I should have tried harder".
Or, if recent experience is anything to go by, "Damn, I wish I knew my prime numbers".
We'll see if it all pays off on Friday.
Til then, I'm off to grow some balls.
And buy a calculator.
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9 comments:
Oo good luck Jo. My advice on this one would be : "Be prepared for the unexpected."
(which is no help at all)
Failing that you could always sleep with the director.
(again, probably no help, but would make excellent blogging fodder)
Research the company so you can ask THEM questions and show you have put in the effort. Be engaging, look people in the eye and most importantly be yourself - a better asset one cannot have.
Best of British, my friend. x
It's all so different than here. I guess we have headhunters and temp agencies, but in my experience they don't call often or at all. I guess it bodes well that they keep calling you! Good luck Friday!
Wear a colour that brings out your eyes! -- says unemployed person in the subcontinent waiting for 3-months-now for HR person to call her back with "a suitable offer". But good luck, you!
1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13....
I'm afraid there's not a simple trick for those; if you did find one, be sure to tell the Fields Medal Committee!
Apart from that I can offer no useful advice. Utterly impractical information is my forte.
London lass - Advice noted. *cough*
jman - I've googled company, director and just about every employee I can find. It's verging on stalking.
Blonde - *salutes*
Breeza - Mostly they call because they have sign up quotas rather than jobs to fill. But I'll take a compliment wherever I can.
Nimpipi - Thank you for both the good wishes and the fashion tip.
modelofa - And often the best kind. Thank you.
I absolutely love your blogs! Good luck! :)
As a former Recruitment Consultant, I suggest asking "Do you have any reservations about me for the role?" as a good question. Gives you a chance to put them to rest before you've left the interview should they have any.
Best of though, looking forward to reading how it pans out.
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