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.

Recruitment Agents: They’re not all bad

Recruitment Agents do get a bad press.

Like other candidates who have ever felt let down, disappointed, annoyed, ignored, lied to etc by an agent I have some measure of sympathy as we all need a level of help, honesty and professionalism. The current job market is swamped with candidates wanting a job or job change and it is the Recruitment Agents skills and judgment (selling ability) which we should be able to draw upon in our ‘season of need’.

But not all criticsm is fair.

Some aggrieved individuals have even got into naming and shaming and posting online the names of the Agencies they would advise you and I to steer well clear of… Not sure that helps much.

Of course some of the larger Recruitment companies deal with the very large clients and there is a tendency for them to number crunch in order to get their ‘candidate’ statistics up to please their bosses, who seemingly only care how many interviews are happening and how many placements their staff are succeeding in.

I suspect that smaller companies will be well aware of the pitfalls and will (and should) be offering their candidates a better and more tailored service, by actually responding to emails, phone calls and listening to your actual needs. And acting on them. In this scenario we are also more likely to get proper advice and feedback from any interview.

Over the last few years I have met and spoken to a number of different consultants/ agents, and yes, I’ve been sold the dream, lied to,  left in limbo and ignored but I’ve also benefited from some of their wisdom and advice.

None of this is recruitment business is rocket science, all it needs is a bit of common sense, courtesy and good Communication! That is one of my biggest concerns.

It’s unfair to tarnish all Consultants in the same way as there will always be bad people in every industry (and that includes both Agents and candidates,). We, the job searcher still have to play our part too and be consistent and honest in our job searching. Bad experiences should not forgotten but learned from…

There are also some very good agencies around, who will give of their time, and take great pleasure in matching good applicants to good companies. Hopefully you and I will find the service and then the role we’ve been waiting for…

Frustrating it is at times, but we mustn’t give up!

Interview in a hurry…

Traffic was bad and it was raining. With 20 miutes to go I was stuck in traffic wondering if I should park up and hot foot it to the meeting place.

I spied an empty parking meter and started feeding it cash after a helpful Parking Attendant told me If I could wait until after 6pm parking would be somewhat cheaper. For me this was no real help, my interview was due at 6pm and I had precisely 6 mins if I was to arrive on time.

After changing my shirt and spraying something vaguely pleasant smelling in the rough direction of my armpits, I fed coins into the pay machine and ran. Thankfully in the right direction.

With 2 minutes to spare the guy on reception had phoned my interviewer and I could relax breifly. After a short pause it was up 21 flights of stairs for my meeting. (I jest). The lift delivered me to a security door on 21 and after pressing a big plastic button entered the lobby.

It was now after 6pm and I was soon joined by my interviewer who thrust some registration forms towards me. A few moments later while the ink was still drying the meeting was underway.

She was, how shall I say, efficient and not one for small talk, she was in a hurry. At least she had my CV with her, but as the discussion ensued it was little more than a prop…

By 6.35pm (I checked)  the appointment was over and I was descended the numerous floors at high speed, this time with another traveller. Within a further 5 minutes I was starting my car engine for the trip home. I felt strangely time warped?

Oh my, that was a swift interview, my shortest yet. Let’s hope the effort was worth it!

Smart thinking

Dear reader.

Every once in a while it is possible that we get what we can call true moments of genius. I am still hoping for one sometime soon.

With all this heavy rain fall, the smart thing to do would be to get a water butt, affix it to the downpipe at side of the house so we can be actively re-cycling / harnessing water as it gushes off our roof so when the dry patch comes we can tend our presently sunken garden… Maybe invest in a small jet ski boat and trailer. It could make trips to Tescos more interesting

The smart thing to do whilst we are in recession would be to continue to live out a life of thrift-iness, (?) shop around for the best deals, buy second hand (or not at all!), try negotiate charity shop prices down, lend stuff or borrow, or if possible try our green hands at growing our own and eat a diet of strawberrys, lettuce and potatoes. Maybe onions or beans too! Temporarily of course.

Another smart thing to do would be to get another job or a better job with prospects, a proper job description and an improved pay check on the 20th of each month. Easily said though.

The smart thing to do would be to reserve to do my daily book and Bible reading in the dry. Bath time is surely not the time or the place. It’s the time to get clean, contemplate, plan ahead. It is not the place to nod of and dunk the spine of the book in bubbles. A Kindle is out of question.

Most of the above are on my agenda… I even saw some water butts today, measured them and found a good location for them. Instead of taking the next natural step in parting with cash we walked away and bought some seeds and now have a garden deck area littered with brightly coloured pots. Soon to be full of floating seeds. Now we patiently await the dry season…. Regarding that four letter word, Work, my job hunt continues… steadily and surely.

My mobile phone, an essential tool in my job hunt is on the wane,the screen is knackered and dropping it on concrete yesterday didn’t help either. The smart thing to do would be to get it fixed or replaced. Thankfully those nice people at Virgin Mobile (who one can talk to after 9 minutes listening to a choice of pop or classical musak) are able to help and my monthly bills are set to reduce… Ker-ching! As my eldest son will say!

A new handset is on the cards. A Smart one of course.

I’ll get my coat…

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.

Thinking of resigning?

If you’re seriously hacked off with your job or on the look out for a change, finding your next role in the current climate might prove tricky. But, when the time comes, there will be a few things to get in order. If you are already working, the first of these will be to quit, or put politely ‘hand in your resignation’.  Here are some ideas of how that might be actioned…

1  Wait until you are in the midst of a meeting with your bosses and when the time is right, cough a few times and tell them you need water. Leave the room, and rather than heading for the kitchen, make a beeline for your desk,  do a quick clear up, before reaching for the front door and freedom!
2  Leave a written note on your bosses desk – then scarper…
3  Send an email explaining that you had reason to leave the country immediately as you’d been found out. A consequence of this will mean you wont be back.
4  Fake your death. Risky as tabloid papers will track you down. But it saves awkward questions later at any exit interview.
5  Call your bosses into the meeting room and tell them your news face to face. Agree a leaving date, then return to your desk for the remainder of the working day. Say nothing about this to anyone and work diligently till you leave. Once the wailing of your boss dies down, go make or buy some cakes. This will be viewed as a peace offering and you will maybe for the first time in your employment be seen as a hero.
They may even make you an offer to stay. (Unlikely you will accept if they are fruit cakes)
Help formulate some handover notes and do what you can to help recruit a successor. When the big day comes, treat it like any other, work best you can, say some goodbyes and leave quickly. You will have no regrets, as you have given them your best efforts and your future employer awaits…

Of course, not all the above scenarios are ideal, you would be advised to treat this process wisely. Without causing grief for any ex-colleagues or those staff you wish to remain in touch with.
• Resign gracefully, and work your notice period (if you can) and remember you are not obliged to give your reasons for leaving, even though your employer may ask.
• Tell the staff what a great bunch they are and wish them every success for the future. Leave on a positive note, especially if you are reliant on them giving a good reference.
• If you’re leaving because you feel aggrieved in some way, after being treated poorly or unfairly, keep any comments brief and to the point even if you view your boss as a muppet,

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…

How many times?

How many times have you, when job hunting received a message similar to ‘Unfortunately you have not met the full criteria for this role and therefore shall not be shortlisted’. or ‘We have decided not to continue with your application for this role’.

Some of the above messages are auto generated of course as ‘possible employers’ and recruitment agents like their standard messages rather than the personal touch.

It can be useful to find the reasons behind our unsuccessful failure, so we can adjust our applications or take remedial action but this is rare. How many are going to be honest with us anyway and say it’s because they want a younger model or don’t want to have to pay for experienced workers?

This causes irritation and is disappointing of course, but are we fooling ourselves if we deny these forms of (age) discrimination exists in the job market? Our response in such situations should be resolute, to press on and not give up, ever hopeful that our turn will come…