Game Over. (A new job awaits)

It’s been inevitable, but today was the day I finally moved on. My 3 weeks notice period was over.

I was fortunate in having a bit of a do with some work colleagues last night. Close to 5pm the advance party (incl me) took their seats at Avalon,  and rather smart pub in SW London. We were joined by others throughout the evening and had a meal together as we sank drinks and shared stories. All very civilised really, and great fun.

Today at 4 it was chocolate cakes and cookies and a surprise “Banner” and Card as well as generous gifts. It was time to say goodbyes and, when it came to it I actually said very little (for me anyway!). I didnt want to get drawn into saying anything cheesey or inappropriate (the reasons I’m actually moving on) I simply wanted to say thanks. So I said thanks, I shook hands, and I hugged and then made a bee line for the door…

I left my keys swinging in the door as I thought I would do, but someone did turn the lock after me.
I had made my exit and I was grateful for the thoughts and good wishes that accompanied me as I drove away.

“Game over”.

As a family we celebrated by sharing a KFC 8 Piece Bargain Bucket whilst watching iCarly…

Time for me to move on…

Just over a week ago I handed my notice in.

Phew, I said it. and it’s true. And it was so straight forward, my carefully researched and brief written notice was signed, scanned and emailed to the two bosses with the original entrusted to the Finance and HR guy. For his records of course.

I used email for the simple reason that neither guys were in the office and I wanted to get the message delivered pronto. I soon had responses which confirmed receipt of the message and wished me well.

Within three hours from beginning of my interview I had received the good news of a successful interview and the actual offer. Perfect timing, It really couldn’t have been any better than that. After 2.5 years looking too…

Mrs W was delighted. I was well chuffed too!

Handing ones notice in is an odd experience. What ever the reason for handing it in there’s a sense of power (albeit breifly) and the control is with you… For me it was a brief moment of exhilaration followed by relief, then joy. Joy is my overriding emotion now, a week later.

Looking back there was no moment of hesitation, no regrets or soul searching wondering if I have made the right decision. Neither was there an attractive counter offer from my current employer desperate to keep me at a highly inflated salary! My new employer had kept their word and sent across the contract of employment which was, duly studied, signed and returned within a matter of hours.

Game on

Prayer for a job

Dear God
I thank you for your love and care, and ask that you might help me in my search for a job (new job).

Frankly, I’m at the end of my tether with this job search lark and could do with a positive result soon. I know you can open doors where there are none so guess I’m after a miracle!

Please would you guide me when I write and submit job applications and when given opportunities at an interview. Help me to give a good and fair account of myself. I am not in the business of showing off, I just want to land an honest job where I might be fulfilled and be fairly paid.

Meanwhile, please give me patience to deal with the uncertainty of it all.

Amen.

A more formal prayer for a job / new job

Lord God
Thank you for everlasting love. I acknowledge, Lord, that Your love for me is deeper that the ocean and bigger than the biggest need in my heart.

All my longings and dreams I lay before you and I commit myself as well as my need for a new job into Your loving hands.

Lord God, I ask that you might fulfil the desire of my heart and bless the work of my hands so that I may find work that is fulfilling and meets the financial needs of our family. I have stood and sat before you many times before in petition and in thanks for the way you have miraculously provided for us. Once again I come, completely trusting in you and your ways at this time. I am certain that you can make a way through the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. I am confident also that you can open a way where there seems to be no way! And indeed an opportunity where there is no current opening

Lord, as I continue in my job search and as I persevere prayerfully and wholehearedly through various selection procedures and interviews, I pray that your Your mighty hand might rest upon me and grant me Your grace and mercies in the eyes of all interviewers and would-be employers. Please perfect everything that concerns me and grant me your wisdom and knowledge and put the right words into my mouth for all interviews and into written words when completing application forms..

I acknowledge that my ways are not Your ways, neither are my thoughts Your thoughts. Your ways and Your thoughts are higher than the heavens above and you alone have a perfect plan for my future and that of my family.

May your will be done.  Amen.

From Proverbs Chapter 30

This scripture was pointed out to me today by my lovely wife, as I had been feeling wobbly in regard to our families financial situation. I should have known better of course as I’ve been extolling the virtues of prayer, leaning on and trusting God for His provision. We have not gone without as a family and tomorrow is another day… The following has helped play it’s part in getting me to re-focus…. All I need is enough, and enough is always enough, if it wasn’t, what else would it be after all?

⁷ “Two things I ask of you, Lord;
do not refuse me before I die:
⁸ Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.

How to really impress your boss…

“Impress that jerk? You have to be joking”

 If your boss fits the description above, he’s a bad boss (I would suggest you start looking for a change of job so you can move on).

There really are good bosses out there, honest! And you can really make a difference. These are the bosses who do their fair share and more, they lead by example, support their employees and see that hard work is rewarded.

These are the bosses we can aim to impress. Wearing provocative clothing, flirting and showering them with affection or gifts is one way – but may well lead to disaster!  Here are some more down to earth ideas…

Do your Job, and do it well
This should be your aim, regardless of job title and the salary you are on. Firstly, turn up on time, every day or shift. Attend the meetings you’re supposed to attend, meet your deadlines, and make sure you excel in the core duties of your position. In essence, do what you’re supposed to do and more if you are able. If your boss can’t count on you to do the basics, your chances of impressing him will be negligible.

Be helpful to others
If you’re up to date on your work and a colleague is obviously struggling, think about offering to help, then do it!  This will show both them and your boss that you’re at work to get the work done, and that you care. (Whether or not it falls within your job description or not).

Take the initiative
Don’t think that just mastering the basics of your job is enough. Make sure your boss knows you’re available – eager, even – to take on additional duties and special projects where and when possible. I’m NOT suggesting you become a dumping ground for extra work – But do what you can to demonstrate that you are capable of performing at a higher level.

Speak honestly
This often where the bad boss exposes him/ herself! Bad bosses are annoyed when someone voices a different opinion or indeed any opinion! Good bosses should welcome it. Don’t be shy about speaking up when something doesn’t sound right. But don’t just criticise, seek to provide alternatives and suggestions. At the end of the day, say what you need to, then let the boss(es) make their final decision.

Find viable solutions
When problems arise, show initiative and take some time to figure out a solution. Even if it’s something you need to report to the boss, offer a suggestion. If your boss chooses a different route,  don’t worry. It’s his call anyway. Showing yourself to be a problem solver is what counts.

Take some credit
When something you’re involved in goes really well, let your boss know. There’s absolutely no shame in highlighting your accomplishments  – but don’t go overboard! (Remember to give credit where it’s due to all others involved).

If you do the above, that really would be impressive!

Resigning. Some DO’s and DON’Ts

DO…
• Clean Your Computer/ Desk. Even if you give notice, your employer may decide to show you the door. Before you turn in your resignation, delete all personal files and personal notes and email messages. Make sure you have the contact information for everyone you need to keep in touch with after you’re gone.
• Give Notice. Unless the situation is untenable, giving anywhere between 2 weeks to One month in the UK standard practice when resigning. Check your terms and conditions of employment if you are unsure.
• Write a Resignation Letter. It’s a good idea to write a formal resignation letter for your employment file. You don’t need to say much more than you’re leaving and when your last day of work will be. Keep it simple.
• Offer to Help. Offer to help during the transition. The offer may not be accepted, but it should be appreciated.
• Ask for a Reference. Depending on the circumstances of your departure, ask your boss and colleagues if they would be willing to give you a reference. You can use this information in any way you choose.

DON’T…
• Be Negative. When you’re talking about your resignation with colleagues, try to emphasise the positive and (where you can) about how the experience has benefited you, even though it’s time to move on. There’s no point in being negative – you’re off, and you want to leave on good terms.
• Brag About Your New Job. Even if you just got your dream job, don’t bleat on about it. There is little point in making your soon to be ex-colleagues feel bad – because they’ll miss you
• Put too much in Writing. Regardless of how much you hate your job, your boss or the company, don’t say it. Keep that to yourself.
• Forget to Say AuRevoir. Before you leave, take the time to send colleagues a message, even a generic email. A leaving do may be organised, if this is a little formal or not your style, remember you can organise an informal get together and invite those you want to attend.

Best foot forward

Brendan has been struggling to get work for some time now. At best he has held down jobs for a few months and until a few weeks ago he had all but given up looking, and his demeanor when I first met him gave this away.

Having been tipped off by a mutual friend that he was out of work and available for casual work, an approach was made to him. After an uncertain start he now joins us for a couple of days work each week. His general availability at a moments notice suits us perfectly, and he has become a valued part of our team often the first casual worker we call upon.

Over the months as we’ve got to know him, aspects of his story has unraveled, it has become clear that holding down a full time job has been a real issue for him. He is certainly a good worker, well liked and has transferable skills he can exploit. What he doesn’t have if he is to achieve his goal of full-time work is a hardworking CV… or rather he didn’t. Over a week ago a colleague and I helped him rewrite it. The original wouldn’t have been taken seriously by any potential employer or recruitment professional as it was full of glaring errors, mistakes, incomplete entries and with a work history that was presented backwards.

(We struggle to understand how this hasn’t been picked up by others, especially those at the Job Centre).

Once the CV was finalised a spring in his step has been apparent, he is growing in confidence. Now he can apply himself to uploading, emailing and posting it in response to vacancies as they appear. He has a lot to offer and in time we hope to hear some good news.

Good news came in another guise last week when a colleague announced she was leaving, moving on after one year. She is obviously delighted having landed a senior marketing role in the cosmetics/ personal care industry. Ironically her opportunity came about, not via a CV in the first instance but through her own efforts of networking and then a personal recommendation.

We wish her well and look forward to the cake at the leaving do!

Personal recommendations can pay dividends in other areas of life too. It’s the same for all of us I’m sure. In my own experience this has included suggestions of where to shop, which trades people to approach, which music to listen to, the best family days out, churches to visit, books to read, paints to try, food and drinks to sample and more recently health professionals to call.

Having called on the NHS for the required help and not received it, I recently conceded that I should consider seeing a specialist even if it meant going for private treatment. A few years ago I would have baulked at the idea but due to the ongoing pain and condition of my left foot – I felt it necessary. Last Wednesday at the consultation my feet was given a careful once over, measured, manipulated, and my Metatarsus bones bent every which way to locate the source of pain. Even though the appointment didn’t conclude with a single proposition on the way ahead (next step?) I felt better for going.

Under no pressure to make a second appointment I will weigh up the options available to me. Going under the knife for a small operation which may not improve things doesn’t hold much appeal. Plan B then?

Jobs – The New dawn…

With the evening (and computer) pretty much to myself I spent another hour or so checking out the football headlines, before turning my attention to what is available on e-bay and other randomness…

It’s all to easy to get embroiled in whether a sacked football captain should have been relieved of his duties earlier – or at all. All to easy to be taken in by the media / celebrities stories which appear to be flimsy in depth or truth.

Finally I got to job searching online and managed to fire off another application ever hopeful of a positive outcome. If anyone were to ask how many jobs I’d actually applied for over the last year or so, I couldn’t honestly say.

Fortunately I have a Recruitment Agent, who appears to understand my particular situation and is on my case, and pro-active in tracking down opportunities with me in mind.

When the upturn in the UK economy eventually arrives and new jobs become available there is likely to be a huge movement of workers all seeking better opportunities.

Armies of workers toiling in less than satisfactory jobs, will be on the move, migrating away from employers who have been exploiting the situation. We could well see the emergence of a ‘job seekers market’ when there is little need to ‘take any job’ just because as they are desperate for cash.

Good employers will have nothing to fear of course, they and their reputations will stand firm with their workforce staying loyal and appreciated. It will be the disillusioned job seeker will have the last say as they, in time will find cherry pick suitable roles with realistic job descriptions, salaries, terms and conditions. When the new dawn arrives, and unless things improve, I would expect my current employers to lose to up to 6 staff members, all seeking better.

For now the Champagne is on ice.

Christmas job search shut down?

Job hunting in December is seen by some as pretty pointless exercise but between the office party and finishing for the year there are some things you might be able to commit to trying…

Private Review
This time of year is a great time to review your objectives to ensure we are clear headed for the coming new year. Might be worth thinking afresh of your goals and motives for seeking change. This might be obvious in most cases but worth consideration.  Is this what you are thinking about really what you want? If you landed a new job tomorrow – how would you feel? December holidays is an ideal time to think the unthinkable, explore radical ideas and, if necessary, completely revisit your job objectives for the coming year. Write it down and keep it handy!

Clean up your act
Over the Christmas period you should make some time for doing the things that you have been mulling over the past year. This might include updating (or completing) your Linkedin profile, or replacing that unflattering photo you posted up in a rush. It might be a good time to re-read and then tweak your main CV, and consider if it can work even smarter for you. When the new year arrives you should be ready for the next assault on the job market…

Network
December and Christmas in particular can be a great time to network with old colleagues, friends, and relatives and anyone else you’ve neglected during the past year. It doesn’t mean you need to over indulge and spend over the odds either. Very often a chat over a coffee will be sufficient. I recently caught up with three ex colleagues who were able to share some ideas almost as we took our seats in the pub to eat! I would not discount the value of informal (or otherwise) catch ups as they are always useful and can be a good source of encouragement and information. It is fun too!

Learn something new
Learning a new skill or tool might be another way of increasing your visibility in the job market. Alternatively you might pick up a skill or technique that you’ve struggled with in the past. If you need advice, there are many online resources available to draw on too. Practising interview techniques might be another consideration. Whatever efforts you expend will hopefully help to build your confidence and ‘appeal’ come the new year.

Refresh
Ok, you can relax too! We all need to take time out to refresh ourselves and re-energise. Job searching can be tiring as well as being stimulating at times, so give yourself time out to enjoy being with friends and family, maybe a good walk will do you good too. Enjoy!

Have a really Happy Christmas and here’s wishing you success in the year ahead…