Showing posts with label Work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Work. Show all posts

09/07/2013

I've Changed

It's 9.50 and I'm working at home...

I haven't done that for years!

It's not something I actually agree with, but at the moment I'm literally running out of time during the day and all I'm actually doing is typing up my notes while I'm watching TV.

It'll help me in the long run... !

04/05/2013

SO FRICKING EXCITED!!

So, you might remember that I went for a couple of job interviews a few weeks ago and that I didn't get the job?

Well, when the guy called me to tell me know about the role, it turns out that when he told me that he would give me a call if another role came up wasn't just a nice brush off!!

He called me last night and offered me a job!

I am so excited (and a little bit shocked!).

The paperwork should be with me this week so that I can get my noticed handed in before my holiday next week.

So, so happy!!!

08/04/2013

Not Great News

Howdy

I heard last week that I didn't get the job that I applied for.

I was / am disappointed, obviously, but the feedback that I got was all really positive.

He told me that I presented well, I was candid and honest but that unfortunately I didn't have the client-facing experience that they were looking for for this particular role.

HOWEVER!

There is a possibility that there could be a similar role coming up in the next few months, and he'll keep in touch and see where I'm at if and when that happens.

So, slight silver lining?

In the meantime, I need to keep looking and see if there's anything else out there with my name all over it!

23/02/2013

Let the job search commence!

Just a really quick one as I'm supposed to be updating my CV.

After getting a bit of advice from a friend, I've decided to give my CV a complete revamp.

Turns out that's much easier said than done.

Having been in my current job for just over 2 years, I've realised that it's completely sapped all confidence I had in myself as an employee.

Although I wasn't happy in my previous job, when I left there I was pretty secure in my knowledge of what I could do and what I was capable of. It's been a long time since I've known what that was, though.

I realised pretty soon after starting my current job that
a) It was a big step back and
b) It wasn't what I thought it was when I was interviewed and offered the job.

But, I stuck with it because it was sort of what I needed at the time, the money was good and, at the end of the day, it was a job and all I was hearing about was the doom and gloom that was the job market at the time.

Two years later, though, and I feel like my brain is mush, I still HATE the job and know I can do MUCH better, but putting it on paper is proving to be the end of me. I've been sat for 20 minutes trying to put down my Key Skills. I've not got far...

05/02/2012

What a Week!

It's fair to say that this week has been a bit of a mixed bag for us!

First, we had the decision about Mr B's job. I hadn't realised quite how stressed I was about it until he rang me to let me know that HE'S A KEEPER! To say I was relieved is an understatement! Although, as the day went on, I did find myself getting a little bit disappointed about it.
Mr B has worked for the same company for 23 years. He's comfortable there. He knows what he's doing and what's expected of him. He has no real desire to leave. However, it's over an hour's commute each way, every day. There are no real prospects for him - he's gone as far as he's going to go. And I just think he could do better. I think I'd secretly hoped that he'd be made redundant so that his hand was forced, and he had to move jobs.
Probably not the right attitude for me to have, though!

On Wednesday, AF arrived. She is fierce and angry this time. But, considering she's not visited since October, I suppose I should've been pleased to see her. Whilst also being bitterly disappointed, obviously!

Also on Wednesday, Mr B's SA appointment arrived. He has to make his deposit on the 29th February. The doctor that we saw in November said the results would take 3 weeks to come back, although I'm not sure I trust anything that she says anymore!
I am really pleased that the appointment has come through, although I do have a severe case of TheFear. I think it's a mixture of TheFear that he'll have a problem, along with TheFear that he won't. I've also got TheFear because my diet hasn't been going so great. (Actually, that's a lie - this week hasn't gone so great, but it doesn't really count because of AF. Right?).
I had hoped to see the inside of the gym this weekend, but that hasn't happened either!!

I had to put the car hunt on hold until we knew what was going on with Mr B's job, but my brother found a pretty good deal for me up in my hometown of Northampton - his mate's sister is selling a W reg Fiesta, which has FSH and all MOT certificates. It's 12 years old, but has only done 59000 miles!!! He did a test drive on it in the week and said I'd be stupid not to go for it. So, Mr B and I planned to go up there this weekend to see the car (and probably buy it), but then this happened:

Damn snow, ruining my plans.

30/01/2012

Baby Blue

Last week, in the midst of all the worry about Mr B and his job (we still haven't heard yet - Wednesday is The Big Day), there was one small glimmer of hope for me.

FF was telling me that I had ovulated.

We'd DTD regularly around the same time as ovulation had been predicted.

My temperature was on a steady incline.

Much as I tried not to be, I was hopeful.

But today my temperatures came crashing back down again, and I'm sure that a visit from Aunt Flo is imminent.

Urgh. My body sucks.

We're also still waiting to hear from the doctors about Mr B's SA... Which is frustrating. We went to them in November, and it's now almost February. Ridiculous. And annoying.

24/01/2012

On the Line...

Mr B found out today that he's one of 7 people up for redundancy.

He'll know next week.

It's a pretty scary thought, to be honest. He's worked for the same company (although under various company names) for 23 years.

I'm not sure what he (we?!) will do if he's made redundant.

What I do know is that we'll deal with it together.

26/10/2011

Universal Truths

This week I've realised that it doesn't matter where I work, some things will always be true:

  • People will always disagree about the temperature of the office - some will be sweating while others (me!) will want the windows open for a bit of air
  • There are always people that you just can't trust. You know that when you tell one person something, you're actually telling at least 3.
  • At least two people will watch (and talk incessantly about) shite TV. I honestly don't care about EastEnders, Hollyoaks or the X Factor, and I definitely don't want to be involved in the debates going on around any of the plot lines. They're TV programmes, not real life. (And, seriously, don't call ME a loser because I don't watch any soaps... Especially when you follow that with the sentence "I get really depressed on a Wednesday when EastEnders isn't on")
  • No-one gets my packing-early-for-a-holiday thing. I'm getting better - I go a week on Saturday and haven't packed (or written a list) yet, but I am getting panicked about it.
Actually, though, I think that all says more about me than the people I work with, doesn't it???

06/10/2011

10 Positive Things

Before I went on holiday I attended a work conference.

There was a guest speaker there, who asked us to list 10 positive things that had happened to us that day. They didn't need to be big things, just good things that had happened.

I couldn't do it (I made it to 4 in the time we were given!). She told us to try to do it at the end of every day for the next 21 days (because, if you do something every day for 21 days it becomes habit).

So, I've started to think about it when laid in bed in the evening - no matter how bad a day you've had, there's always room for some positivity.

Here's my list from yesterday:

1. My morning hug from Mr B
2. The rain stopping before I left the house
3. Having a cup of coffee made for me when I got to work
4. Eating a sneaky Roses chocolate
5. Finding a fiver at the bottom of my bag
6. Having a great driving lesson
7. Chilling out at home watching trash on the TV
8. Catching up with some blogging
9. Catching up with my friend
10. Having an early night.

What would your 10 positive things be?

13/09/2011

Fricking Fertiles...

I mentioned last week that my colleague is pregnant. She's just over 3 months gone, and understandably very excited.

I preferred when it was a secret, but whatever. That's just me being mean, jealous, spiteful and selfish.

Anyway, I overheard her talking to my manager today. My manager's friend had to have IVF to conceive her first baby (who I think is less than a year old) and she's just found out she's pregnant again. It happened naturally, and totally wasn't planned.

Obviously, this has happened because she was "relaxed" about it....

Pregnant Colleague: "I really think you need to just get on with it. Y'know, don't worry about it, don't stress over it, and it'll happen. I mean, I know we didn't have any problems or anything, but I really believe that's the best way to do it"

Manager: "I think you're absolutely right. The more relaxed you are about it, the easier it is".

Seriously?! Try being relaxed and not stressing about it after you've been trying for nearly two years, and see how easy it is for you then.

12/09/2011

Argh! Frustrating!

I have ideas for posts, but no time to write them.
The only time I do have time is when I'm at work because I don't actually have any work to do. But when I'm at work, I sit next to my manager so can't blog. Until she's in meetings. Like now. So this is just a super-quick update.

I didn't get the job. Apparently I interviewed well, and there's no real feedback on that side of things, but they had someone else apply who was more suited and had more relevant experience. Whatever. I would've been awesome at that job, but they'll never know that.

My weight stayed the same last week, which was ok because I know I actually lost 4lbs between Monday and Friday. Finger's crossed for more of the same this week!
I have had a bit of an attitude change with the diet, too, though - which will be a seperate post.

I've got less than 2 weeks until I go on holiday. I really can't wait to spend a week with Mr B, a good book and a pool. I don't care if it rains all week, I just don't want to be here.

There'll be more soon, I promise - just need to find time to sit at my computer and write!

05/09/2011

She called...

Not all of the interviews happened as planned last week, so they still haven't made a decision.

She hopes to be able to update by the middle of the week.

My patience will be shot by then!!!

To chase or not to chase, that is the question?!

So, I still haven't heard back from the interview last Tuesday.

My impatience is at an all time high. I think it comes from being so incredibly bored at my actual job, too though. It's 10.45, and I've got two things to do before 4pm this afternoon. I'm so horrendously bored, unmotivated, and unchallenged, it's unreal.

So now my predicament is whether to call and chase them about it and find out what's going on or not.

Part of me thinks that as she told me she'd get back to me by the end of the week, I should chase.

Another part thinks that I should just kick back and wait until they get back to me, because I don't want to come across as being weirdly pushy about it.

BUT I'm not pushy, I'm just keen.

I really want the job.

And I'm not good at waiting!!!

02/09/2011

Weekly Weigh in...

I lost two pounds this week!

I think it's probably the stress of waiting to hear about this bloody job as much as anything, but it's 2lbs all the same.

I feel like I'm back on track (but don't want to say that too loud, just in case!) and writing stuff down is definitely helping.

I've got a busy weekend ahead, which I think might impact this week's diet - I'm fake wedding dress shopping with my friend in the day tomorrow, and then I'm off to a fancy dress 40th birthday party tomorrow (as an Angel, no less!).

I want to get to the gym on Sunday, in the hope that I can get the exercise side of things back on track, too.

I'm still crossing my fingers about the job, too!

01/09/2011

Impatient...



I had an interview on Tuesday for a job that was MADE for me.

It went well (I think!), and I'm really interested.

But I'm impatient to find out now... I should know before the end of the week.

Every time my phone rings, I get a bit excited, and then disappointed again.

27/07/2011

I can't keep doing it...

I always thought that I would do whatever I needed to do to earn money (well, within reason, obviously).

If it meant that I worked in a supermarket stacking shelves in order for us to have enough money to pay the mortgage, that's what I'd do.

When I gave up my job in December, I didn't know what I wanted to do next.

I didn't know what sort of job I wanted, I just knew that I didn't want to be doing what I was doing anymore, and I certainly didn't want to be doing it in London. I'd been there for five and a half years, had gone as far as I was going to go, and couldn't see a clear line of progression for me.

I started my new job in February. The agency that I got the job through told me it would be a varied, busy role, with lots of contact with regular customers. A customer service role, but with a bit of selling involved, too. On the phone, chatting to people, building relationships.

The agency lied.

The job isn't customer service, and there sure as hell isn't ANY selling involved. It's a data entry job. It's a mindless job. It's a school leavers job. I hardly ever speak to anyone. If I do, it's to ask them to resend their fax because it hasn't come through properly.

That said, the money is good, and the perks are amazing. But there's no responsibility, and I know that when I leave at 4.45 every evening, I won't think about or stress over anything. Hell, I hardly think or stress over anything while I'm there, so I'm definitely not going to do it when I'm at home!

The trouble is, I don't care enough. I don't care if the order has been fulfilled properly. I don't care if the delivery has arrived, and whether the stock that's delivered is the right stuff or not.

So now I'm thinking that I need to change jobs. Again.

But I don't know what to.

The difficulty is that most people make their career choices when they're between 16 and 18. I had no idea what I wanted to do at that age. I hardly have any idea what I want to do now, if I'm honest! Mr B, on the other hand, knew he wanted to be an accountant. So, he left school, got a job at an accountancy firm, studied for his exams and has been really successful at what he does. He's been doing it for over 20 years. He enjoys it. He has a career.

I never made a career choice at that age. I think that some of that comes from the fact that I was diagnosed with PCOS at the same sort of time. From the point of diagnosis (or more accurately, from the point of being told that I might never have children) my sole ambition has been to be a mummy. Everything else - work, social life, everything - was all just a stop gap between then and me getting pregnant.

So I didn't go to university. I didn't specialise in any particular sort of job. I've worked in a shop, a post room, in telesales for a newspaper, as an office manager for a team building company, and now as a customer service exec data entry clerk.

I don't even know what my magic wand job would be.

But I do know:  
  • I want to be challenged
  • I want what I do to matter
  • I want to deal with PEOPLE, not faxes and emails (although I happy to have a telephone between me and said people!)
  • I want to use my brain
  • I want progression - I'd like to end up managing people - helping other people achieve what they want to achieve makes me feel happy
Any ideas what I should do?!

01/06/2011

Counting down...

I only have another 18 and a quarter working hours until I'm off for a week and get to spend some time with my mum.

Not that I'm counting...

23/05/2011

Big Week!

I know it's only Monday, but already this week feels like it's going to be a mammoth one!

After last week's phone call about the job that's right up my street I had a phone call on Friday asking me to attend an interview on Wednesday morning .

I'm already off work on Thursday (more on that in a moment), so can't really take another day off this week. Instead, I'm going to pull my first ever sicky! Let me clarify: I have never pretended to be sick in order to take the day off work. I may have exagerrated how sick I was and stayed off when I could actually have gone into the office, but I've never out and out lied about being ill when I wasn't.

The only way I'm able to justify it is by telling myself that, if I don't take the day off for the interview, I might end up making myself ill mentally anyway, and then I'll have to have a whole lot more time off!

Anyway, that's exciting.

And then I'm off work on Thursday, too, because my mum has an operation. Mr B and I are off to sit with her for the day, worry about her while she's in theatre and mock her when she comes back to the ward in a woozy state.

Finger's crossed that everything goes well and to plan!

16/05/2011

...or is it Work Sick?

This morning while I was getting ready for work, I realised that the level of sickness I've been feeling and the emotional instability directly corresponds to the time I go to work, so I got to thinking that maybe it was work making me feel ill, and not missing my mum.

(NB: That's not to say I don't miss my mum - I really do. Have you seen how frigging beautiful she is!?)

Considering the long and difficult relationship depression and I have, I made the decision this morning that my CV and I needed to spend some quality time together, and I needed to have a good long look at some job websites. Being unhappy at work, feeling sick and like I want to cry every morning isn't good or healthy for anyone.

Surprisingly enough, that made me feel better...

Then, as I was leaving work this afternoon I had a phone call from a job agency that I haven't spoken to in 4 month to see how my job's going because they'd had a job come in that would be perfect for me.

Spooky, huh?

I've looked at the spec, quite like it, and sent off my CV.

I can't help thinking that it's a good sign?!

15/04/2011

Quick catch up....

Well, after my "woe is me" post the other day, we had a work night out last night.

I wasn't really looking forward to it - what with thinking everyone hated me and all - but in fact had a really good night.

I spent time with people that I don't usually spend time with and that was nice, but also talked differently to people that I do usually spend time with, and it was a really nice evening!

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I've not really kept up with my posts for the SITS photography challenge this week. I've taken some pictures, but haven't actually had time to upload them yet. I will try to catch up over the weekend, promise! 

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Mr B and I have been totally rubbish at DTD this week. I'm a bit disappointed in us, to be honest, because we were doing really well (and enjoying it, too!), but this week it's gone off track. Maybe it's because I think I might've OV'd already, so don't see the point!?

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I'm starting a new diet this weekend. It's a PCOS Metabolic Rate diet, and I'm really excited and motivated about it - I think because other PCOS sufferers have had HUGE success with it. If I stick to it, I'm sure I can achieve my 4 stone by 2012 target!