The 4th of January was a particularly significant date to start the blog because it was also the day that millions of people across the UK returned to work, following their Christmas and New Year breaks. Unfortunately, having just been made redundant, I was no longer part of that working fraternity and as my search for work began, so too did my opportunity of sharing my experiences of searching for work.
Exactly seven weeks later, on Tuesday the 22nd of February 2011 - I officially ‘signed off’ Job Seekers Allowance and in doing so, my search for work came to an end. Whilst it’s true that confirmation of my new job had actually arrived seven days previously, it’s also true that by the time I commence my new role, I’ll have missed out on EIGHT full weeks of wage-earning potential! That’s exactly 40 days and 40 nights of work …which is fittingly biblical given that I’ve been signing-off my blog with “Many blessings”! The search for work was finally over though…so thank God for that!
What happened during those forty days and forty nights went on record across thirty editions of this blog and the journey that followed could only be described as a rollercoaster ride.
The Beginning
Long before any of this started, I’d had a reasonable understanding of the impending job cuts at the council. I also had a full appreciation that being employed on a fixed-term contract had put me in a particularly vulnerable position.
Having already been made redundant four times previously, I began browsing for jobs as early as November and applied, albeit a little half-heartedly, for around half-a-dozen positions.
From the off though, I really felt that I needed to “break the cycle”....
Quite simply, if I was to carry on doing exactly what I’d done in the past, I’d only continue to go around in the same old circles and inevitably, I’d wind up back on the unemployment scrapheap yet again sometime soon. And so, the fledgling concepts of ‘thinking outside the box’ began as I attempted to plan a whole new route, rather than taking just another unwelcome diversion.
Quite simply, if I was to carry on doing exactly what I’d done in the past, I’d only continue to go around in the same old circles and inevitably, I’d wind up back on the unemployment scrapheap yet again sometime soon. And so, the fledgling concepts of ‘thinking outside the box’ began as I attempted to plan a whole new route, rather than taking just another unwelcome diversion.
By now, I’d become totally cheesed-off at hearing the ‘big bosses’ tell me I’d become surplus to requirements, so I figured it might be a good idea to be my own boss! And so it was that around the beginning of November, I began to investigate the idea of opening up my own bar.
This was a little pipe dream that had been fermenting at the back of my mind for years, but this unscheduled push helped me take the steps required to actually put the wheels in motion. These steps went off in a multitude of different directions and over the following six to eight weeks, applying for jobs went totally on the back-burner as I buried my head in the construction of a 40-page Business Plan.
The plan mapped out every single detail required to execute the lease of a vacant Waterloo Pavilion, located upon Church Street in Blackburn.
Many meetings with Capita, a Financial Advisor, several Bar Managers and various contacts within the hospitality trade ensued, but during the meantime, I submitted just two further job applications. I even got as far as viewing the property twice and also had a builder and a technical engineer over to take a look and provide the quotes needed to bring my grand plans to fruition.
During the month of December, I was interviewed for both of the jobs I’d applied for, but despite initial promise, nothing came of either. I’d applied for many of these early jobs out of necessity more than desire, so at the time, it certainly didn’t feel like it was the end of the world. However, despite my lack of passion for the roles, the freshly received doses of rejection didn’t make them any easier to take.
The bar project continued well into January, but it quickly became clear that I’d be unable to get anywhere near the £50K I’d be needing to really bring the dream alive, even with partnership investment. (Good luck to whoever does have the courage and finances to take on this high-profile property by the way - because it oozes character, class and huge potential and really could be something unbelievably special!)
At this point, other than the ‘Bar idea’, I didn’t really have a clue what I wanted to do next. …But because I’d already been in this position several times before, I did have a very clear idea of what I definitely did NOT want to do!
Firstly, I wasn’t prepared to accept yet another fixed-term contract, nor did I want to indulge in ‘temping’ again … (previous experiences of temping via agencies had left a bad impression upon me) … and I certainly wasn’t going to settle for ‘any old job’.
For me, being able to continue a regular income stream simply wasn’t a good enough reason to take a job.
For me, being able to continue a regular income stream simply wasn’t a good enough reason to take a job.
Due to my reluctance to take ‘any old job’, I was also reluctant to send out a blanket text or blanket e-mail to everybody in my address book to make them aware of my predicament. The old saying goes that “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” and of course, I would later be reminded of the benefit of this with the impromptu contact from RD. But in the first instance, I was a little wary of screaming my predicament aloud out from the rooftops, or lighting with a neon sign, high in the sky.
Granted, there’s nothing at all wrong with asking as many people as you possibly can: “are there any jobs going at your place?” and indeed, this was a tactic I’d successfully deployed in the past. But whilst I was very grateful for the kindness offered as a result of this, the jobs I then went on to accept only served to frustrate me, damage my confidence and hinder my ability to apply for ‘proper’ jobs in the meantime. After all …when someone goes out of their way to arrange some work for you, how could you possibly refuse such kindness?
The justification behind this stance was that my time would be much better spent putting the necessary effort in to applying for the right jobs. In fact, I feel so strongly about this, that if I was to offer one single piece of advice to anyone in the world who’s out of work, it would be this:
When looking for work, spend as MUCH time as you possibly can on the LEAST amount of jobs. Whether you’re searching or applying, it’s imperative that you put your heart and soul into just one job at a time, rather than half-heartedly applying for ten jobs. Never could the term ‘quality over quantity’ be more appropriate!
Do not set unrealistic targets of ‘X’ amount of jobs per day or ‘X’ amount of jobs per week. Instead …give your all to the ones you really want. I really couldn’t emphasise the importance of this tip enough.
Do not set unrealistic targets of ‘X’ amount of jobs per day or ‘X’ amount of jobs per week. Instead …give your all to the ones you really want. I really couldn’t emphasise the importance of this tip enough.
As with anything in life, you get out exactly what you put in. When we hope to achieve any kind of result - whether it be in love, in sport or in our careers, we should always give our all in order to achieve it. It may sound corny, but it’s so true.
From the beginning then, I’d decided I really didn’t want to be in a position where I’d be spending my whole day doing a job I hated whilst earning minimum wage. The last time I’d been laid-off, I did just that and was soon setting my alarm for 5am every day so I could squeeze in an extra two hours of overtime, simply to “make my wage up”. To then find the energy and enthusiasm to start applying for the ‘perfect job’ at the end of that 10-hour day was a particularly tough call.
So, the plan was to ‘think outside the box’ a little bit more this time around and this blog became a subtle, but extremely integral part of that plan.
The stats
So the blog began, and it quickly became apparent that this ‘personal journey’ wasn’t actually going to be all that personal after all! But I can absolutely promise, with all my heart, that there wasn’t one single disadvantage to this!
When I began writing the blog, I was unsure if anyone at all would read it. I’d never even written a blog before and I didn’t know if anything I had to say would be of any interest to anyone at all in the world. I wasn’t sure how to ‘spread the word’ either, but with the help of a “share” link on the page, I was able to do just that via Facebook and Twitter.
After a long and hard day at work, (or an equally long and hard day of looking after the kids!), I totally appreciated that by the time people had got home and had tea, cleaned up the day’s mess and laid the foundations for the following day, there’d hardly be enough time left to sit down and watch a bit of TV! The last thing I could expect people to do then, would be to waste their valuable time reading about my problems!
However, I was soon to be proved wrong and I was absolutely blown away by the kind words, encouragement and positive feedback I received from readers.
So, I really had no idea that the blog would have such an impact and almost everyone I bump into at the moment tells me that they’ve been reading it! Over recent weeks the most common thing people I’ve heard is that even though I’ve now found a job, I really must carry on with the blog! ‘Flattered’ really doesn’t do the feeling justice.
Now …although there are many negatives of being out of work, there have also been some really surprising positives – some of which I will touch on in the next section. But the biggest positive of all has been the opportunity to reconnect with my friends. I really can’t wait to get cracking with my new job, but I must confess that I will miss having all this ‘spare’ time to chat, meet up with pals and social network!
But I'm straying from the subject so for now, back to the stats!
At the time of writing, I can tell you that although the blog only had 12 ‘official’ followers, the site has had a total of 2,075 page-views, of which 1,725 were from the UK! All the rest have been viewed from right across the world including the USA, the UAE, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Singapore and Malaysia amongst others! So if any one of those overseas readers is reading again right now …may I once again say a HUGE thank you! (Especially Franchesca, for sending me that BRILLAINT message from New York that night!)
During the lifespan of the blog, I applied for 46 jobs, I signed up to 4 job-search agencies and I ‘signed-on’ 4 times. I was unemployed for 8 weeks in total, but attended just 2 interviews. I was offered both of these jobs …1 made me jump for joy and 1 almost broke my heart!
I received dozens of e-mails, dozens of text messages and dozens of Facebook messages which included complimentary, heart-warming and humbling words of encouragement. I received just as many mails from friends which included information about a variety of jobs and a number of links to websites. Really helpful stuff and very much appreciated.
I also received countless messages on my Facebook wall from readers of the blog, which I’m enormously thankful for and I would like to extend my huge gratitude to all these people ...but we’ll come to that a little later…
The Tips
In the last three days alone, I’ve found out that two of my team-mates are set to lose their jobs …and that is just from one football team. It was also quite ironic that when I called up my previous workplace last week to confirm my reference request, I was told that the rest of my former colleagues had just been given their notice!
I feel very sad when I hear this kind of news and it acts as a constant reminder of the key word when looking for work in the modern day world: SECURITY. Above all else, including salary, job title, job description, promotion prospects, working hours, holidays and perks, the key ingredient to any job is its security. If we can find a vacancy which offers a high degree of security, that really is the most important factor of all.
In the coming months and even in the coming years ahead, I believe that many of us will have to accept one of either two things: We’ll either be expected to do a hell of a lot more at work, taking on much more responsibility and generally working MUCH harder for the same amount of money. Or …we’ll continue to work as we have been doing with the same responsibilities and the same working hours …but on a reduced salary.
Inflation is currently at 5%, but wages are only being increased at the most to 1.5%. The unrest in the Arab world at the moment will only serve further to increase the price of oil and every single day, we hear of another ‘X’ thousand more redundancies. Tough times are about to get even tougher.
Even though I’ve become relatively experienced at ‘losing my job’, I’ve learnt much over the last few weeks - not least about myself. The publishing of this blog has been surprisingly liberating and has helped me to network, let-off steam, tout my talents and find inspiration. For those reasons alone, my first tip of course would be start a blog!
Of course, the writing of a blog wouldn't be for everyone, but it did also help unlock that fantastic opportunity from RD which would never have arrived otherwise!
To say that “there are plenty of jobs out there and that if you work hard enough, you WILL get one” would be deeply patronising...
Sure, there ARE jobs out there and sure enough, a jobseeker needs to be determined, thick-skinned, unnaturally positive and massively committed to the cause. But in order to land that dream interview for that dream job …a huge slice of luck is also needed.
Sure, there ARE jobs out there and sure enough, a jobseeker needs to be determined, thick-skinned, unnaturally positive and massively committed to the cause. But in order to land that dream interview for that dream job …a huge slice of luck is also needed.
I’ve already spoken about the most important tip of all, which is my ‘time-management directive’! In summary, it’s better to spend an entire day on one ‘special’ job, than spend the same amount of time on applying for ten jobs: The time and effort will undoubtedly help the job seeker stand out from the crowd I'm sure...
But what other tips could I offer? …
· Get up at a normal time. Get showered, get changed and ‘go to work’. In turn, this will have the knock-on effect of helping you retire at a normal time and get a good night’s sleep!
· Finish your ‘day at work’ and break off the day by switching off your computer. Stick to regular meal times and keep focussed.
· Exercise! Go for a run, or go for a walk. It’s imperative that you get out of the house and seek fresh air.
· Try not to feel too guilty for ‘enjoying’ your free time. Life must continue, so watch some TV, read your book and if finances allow, go see a movie or treat yourself to a drink with friends.
· Don’t be too proud to ask for help! Get ‘signed-on’ to the Job Seekers Allowance, which you’re perfectly entitled to receive.
· …and finally, perhaps the simplest sounding tip, although the hardest one of them all: Keep positive!
The Lowlights
There were many ‘bad bits’ about being unemployed, but I don’t wish to dwell on any of them for too long. If I was to pick out a few of the worst, they would be the flowing receipt of those bastard rejection letters …and the emotional wreck I became after I was offered the job in Dubai.
The blog that followed the latter situation was entitled ‘Golden Nuggets’ which included advice from the likes of Rebekah Taylor and Kitty Wickham and was yet another display of the enormous impact that my friends and family had upon me during this process. So even good stuff came out of the bad situations!
I also realised that having come so close to moving across the earth just in order to land myself a job, I’d almost become prepared to do anything in exchange for the right opportunity.
One of the things I didn’t particularly enjoy was becoming a letter-box gremlin/phone-hog. For example, when I did get 'round to leaving the house, I got into the habit of leaving my phone at home, in the hope that when I returned, I’d be greeted by a barrage of missed calls, voice messages and e-mails.
 |
| Lots of missed calls, new voice messages, e-mails and texts! If only EVERY work-seeking day could be this way! |
Unfortunately, when I returned, the phone’s status would usually be unchanged and the only thing to have arrived through the letterbox would’ve been another menu from the local kebab shop!
Other bad bits included long days, an inability to confirm forward plans and the total loss of 'proper' weekends. It wasn’t much fun not having much cash either.
But it wasn’t all bad…
The Highlights
I discovered a number of unexpected advantages of being out-of-work.
As a self-confessed busy-body, I’d always been a bit rubbish at watching TV, and even worse at ‘chillaxing’!!
After a day at work, my usual evening would be jam packed with the gym and an evening meal followed by washing-up, tidying-up, making lunches, doing my ironing, dashing around and sorting out my music. If I was lucky, there’d perhaps be an hour of watching the box or reading a book, and then it would be time for bed before doing it all over again the following day.
After a day at work, my usual evening would be jam packed with the gym and an evening meal followed by washing-up, tidying-up, making lunches, doing my ironing, dashing around and sorting out my music. If I was lucky, there’d perhaps be an hour of watching the box or reading a book, and then it would be time for bed before doing it all over again the following day.
Being unemployed was a liberation! Having spent all day job-seeking, I found that the evening became completely my own! I spent much of it writing this blog mind, but the rest of the time was spent on being entertained! I must confess that I’ve never watched so much great television, nor had I realised how much great TV is screened post-9pm! I now had the time to watch some brilliant documentaries, some awesome films and much more football than I’d become accustomed to!
Just last night, I decided to watch Forrest Gump, simply because I could. …I had time on my hands and absolutely nothing on my ‘to-do’ list. It’s an absolute classic, heart-warming and inspirational movie that I hadn’t watched in well over ten years. In fact, I actually feel that my life has improved today just because of watching that film last night! I also squeezed in a 'Top Gun', 'Ghostbusters' and 'Wall Street' amongst others, all of which I wouldn't have seen if I'd have been a working man.
I have certainly learned the value of relaxing during this period, and this is something I intend to continue when my new job starts next week.
I have certainly learned the value of relaxing during this period, and this is something I intend to continue when my new job starts next week.
As already documented earlier in this blog, another HUGE advantage has been the opportunity to reconnect with friends. Even if I haven’t physically seen those friends for a while, I still feel as though I’ve been able to re-ignite and strengthen those friendships, which has been the best thing of all.
Today, I spent the whole afternoon out and about visiting old friends and family. There’s my old pal Mark Pye for example, whose Nan used to live next door to me when we were little lads. He knocked at my door as a 3 year old to ask if I was playing out and 27 years later, we’re still pals!
Despite our long-lasting friendship, I hadn’t seen him in almost two years and even though he moved into his home five years ago, I’d still never paid a visit. Scandalous! As a result of this blog, he texted me to wish me good luck for my interview last week and we arranged a coffee, (which we had multiple cups of) for today. It was great to see him and his beautiful daughter and it’s been fantastic having the time on my hands to do these kind of things.
The Thanks
I would like to thank absolutely EVERYBODY that has read my blog. As I documented above, I totally understand how busy normal working life can be, so I’ve been completely humbled by the time that you guys have invested in me. I really can’t thank you enough for reading and as cliché as it might sound, this blog really wouldn’t have been possible without you.
Quite simply, if no-one had been reading, I probably wouldn’t have had the motivation to continue. Being able to spray out my thoughts, concerns, dilemmas and adventures has been amazingly therapeutic and has really helped to keep my mind focussed, when otherwise, it may have just flopped into jelly!
There were some days that I never even left the house and there were also days that I didn’t even have any human contact! This blog allowed me to keep an on-going connection with the outside world and in my humble opinion, this experience of writing a blog has been invaluable.
One of the things you lose instantly when you’re no longer in work is that natural platform to ‘network’. This blog has helped me to bridge that gap and created an opportunity to continue networking and stay comnected to the working world.
In particular I would like to say a huge thank you to Jodie, Kitty, Craig and Tracey, Laura, Leigh, Francine, Natalie, Iddon, Stan, Heather and Mark. Not just for your regular readership, but for your continued encouragement and support which has been an absolute inspiration. I’ll never forget all your kind words.
In particular I would like to say a huge thank you to Jodie, Kitty, Craig and Tracey, Laura, Leigh, Francine, Natalie, Iddon, Stan, Heather and Mark. Not just for your regular readership, but for your continued encouragement and support which has been an absolute inspiration. I’ll never forget all your kind words.
If I haven’t mentioned your name, I do apologise but I am eternally grateful for your help.
On the first of February, I did one of the most significant things yet. Having just published one of my blogs, I noticed that I was able to e-mail every single person in my e-mail address book to point them in the direction of my blog. “What the hell” I thought … “Who knows who might pick it up and take a look?”
One of the people that did pick it up and kindly had a read was a certain Richard Duncombe, of JD Williams. What followed was for me, an extraordinary act of human nature and even at the time of writing, I’m still uncertain if his kindness will actually lead to an alternate ending to this adventure. Of all the application forms I’d spent hours pouring over, it was strange that I got myself a million times further down the line, as a result of one simple e-mail.
 |
| An alternative ending? Had to act all 'cool and professional', so no pics of Miss Sweeney I'm afraid! |
Finally, I would like to thank my girlfriend for putting up with me over the last few months! Our life has been totally on hold since my job-loss-diagnosis and I’ve been a complete pain in the arse ever since. For that, I sincerely apologise.
The Future
Having read through my BBC contract over the last few days, I am contractually restricted from sharing information about the corporation to the outside world …so any work-related continuum of this blog is obviously a definite no-go. Perhaps also, it wouldn’t be wise of me to discuss the short-skirted-ness, grumpy-ness or strange-ness of my newfound colleagues in the public arena! …even if I did code-name them!
So, that’s that then. The blog is over.
I’ve rambled on about television, American Football, marathons, religion, emotions, politics, football, Chris Evans, iTunes, Lucky Charms and the F5 button. I’ve yakked on about local government, designer clothes, tattoos, cars, trains, lost wallets, my dreams as a boy, my plans for the future, God-given talents, my philosophies on life and a nice boy named Jonny.
Granted, some of the links to the finding work have been tenuous at best, but I really do hope that you’ve been able to relate to some of the pieces in some way. I also hope I will one day have the opportunity to repay your faith, your support, your belief, your wonderful advice and your valuable time sometime in the very near future.
I WILL be back in print I promise, but how the blog will be reincarnated, I still do not know. But for now “the end is near. And so I face, the final curtain”
Thank you so much for reading, and many blessings to you all.
The end.
Jason x
