find a new job

using the tips from the course, I revised my CV to a functional (instead of reverse chronological). I then removed any dated information, relocated my technical skills section to the front page under profile. I modified the margins and removed the references. It’s a clean two pages now and I’m quite pleased with it. Used it to apply for a post this morning.

I had the job hunting course yesterday and felt so positive when I left that I came home and immediately had a nap.

:-D

It was really helpful talking to other people in the same situation. We covered all levels of unemployment time (3 days to one year) and different backgrounds with different hunting strategies.

The instructors run their own recruitment agency, which sort of lent a legitimacy to what they were saying. I felt like if anybody would know what works, it would be people in the recruitment industry.

I was frustrated when it came time to review the CVs, because their strongest suggestion was to modify my CV from the chronological to a functional style which is the complete frickin’ opposite to what I was told last time. As a consolation, they figure the job centre told me to change it because it was two years ago and a lot of legislation regarding dates on CVs etc has been passed in the two years. I was ahead of my time!

I’ve got a book of information to go thru, and modifications to make and then I’m hopeful to get an interview soon. I wish for an interview and then a job. Don’t want to hope for too much at once, ya know.

On Monday I received a referral from the job centre to a company that provides professional services assistance for job seeking. I gave them my email address and mobile number and was to receive an email with the details for my appointment tomorrow.

As this is now the afternoon before my meeting, and I have yet to receive either an email or phonecall, I just telephoned the company to find out the time of my appointment.

I was told my appointment was not with “Mike” (the name on my referral letter), but “Stephen the Trainer”. I was also told that the meeting started at half nine and ended at 4pm.

What the fuck?

Apparently what I agreed to was a 1-day COURSE on how to seek a job.

Okaaaay, glad I didn’t have to break any prior arrangements and very glad I could now arrange to bring the extremely necessary girlie supplies (TMI, sorry).

Once again I spelled out my email address and was told she would send me the details for the meeting. This shouldn’t be a difficult task – this is their business, so this info should already be available in a cut & paste format or boiler email. It’s been 20 minutes since we spoke and I have yet to receive the promised email – should I be concerned?

I had my 13 week review with unemployment office yesterday, and Thursday I am going to a service for “Professionals” (that sounds so, um, hookerish doesn’t it?) to have my CV and cover letters reviewed and to hopefully receive some helpful hints.

I’ve been getting a little freaked out that the centre has been forwarding me posts that are 2/3 the salary I used to make, which was 2/3 of what I made before I moved here which equates to about 1/2 my former salary and oh my gawd BREATHE.

I decided that I because I am actually way OVER qualified for these positions, the solution is not to dumb myself down but to apply upwards. A friend’s friend recently got a swanky position merely because nobody else applied. So I rewrote my cover letter and have applied for a couple positions higher on that corporate ladder.

The ladder where I don’t want to be, but it does pay for fun things like food. And heat.

okay, this is my FOURTH attempt to post this and it is no longer the thing most irritating to me. What the fuck is it with 43Things and the constant fuck-uppery of posting? There has not been one time, in at least the past year, when I did not have some sort of error trying to use this site. A variety of computers and connections and still the same crap. ARGH. Guess I’m not starting the “not complaining” goal tonight.

Anyhoo, what I was bitching about was the job advert that just came to my email. It is for an Office Manager/PA to Executive. Blah, blah- the final paragraph reads (emphasis with bold by me):

You must also be able to demonstrate a strong commitment to SU Scotland’s ethos, working principles and vision. It is also a Genuine Occupational Requirement, in terms of the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003, that the post-holder demonstrates a personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

it was good to see the old workmates tonight. Interesting to find out that in just the two months since I’ve been gone the company is now going to be merging with its sister company and (big AND!) the Dragon Lady boss up and quit with one day notice. Apparently she was quite the bitch to EVERYONE and they were having a bit of rehash over stuff (they just found out she was leaving) and the two of us who no longer work there just kept looking at each other saying “I’m SO glad that we don’t have to deal with that shit anymore”.

I was apprehensive about going, but now I’m so glad I did. I think it gave me the closure I needed. Plus, I looked really good in my purple mac. I wore all black underneath and on the way home I noticed how much I matched my gift bag (they gave me a present, isn’t that sweet!).

So I’m feeling a bit better and can feel the tingling start of motivation…

I got a call back for one position – should hear next week whether I’ve make the cut to the next interview stage. Position way underpays for the qualifications required, but I can work with it.

now back to filling out more apps. Woot.

still looking.

I know it’s terribly cliché in the world of unemployment to find yourself watching infomercials in the middle of the night, but I’ve found these to be rather inspirational videos…

http://fittoboom.msnbc.msn.com/?source=msnspotlight&gt1=25054#/home/video/7/0

strangely, there are a lot of job adverts requiring me to print and post an application instead of completing it and submitting online. Guess I have to trek to asda and pick one up (if this rain ever stops).

Now I’m wishing I’d nicked that ream of paper from the office.