Day 21
Wednesday picked up pretty much where Tuesday had left off, with brick-walls seemingly at every turn. No job-related letters, e-mails or phone-calls were forthcoming, whilst the job-searching left me increasingly exasperated. I really have run out of ideas now, particularly on the creative front and found myself reverting to the national recruitment websites. I can only reiterate my disappointment and frustration with these services as I don’t trust that many of the positions actually exist. Alarm bells begin to ring when the same job appears under every sector, and those that sound too-good-to-be-true just happen to be available in every town across the North West.
For the odd ones that do seem to be genuine, the job descriptions can be so ambiguous at times, that you begin to wonder why you started applying for them in the first place. Whilst I appreciate that the recruiter needs to be surreptitious with the identity of its client’s, there is a major downside for the job seeker. For them, they need to ensure no one sneaks in through the back door in order to protect their income stream. But for me, the history, future and reputation of a company is the major draw of any job and second to nothing, including salary.
Certain companies and organisations carry a real kudos and on a personal level, it’s much more important that I work for a company with a reputable title, than what my actual job title will be. In light of this, I feel it’s much easier to convey your passion and interest in a position, when you know exactly who you are actually going to be working for. Especially if they’re known for offering a real chance of career development, opportunity and security.
There’s a facility on most computers called ‘Auto-fill’, which kindly fills in certain sections of online forms and in theory, it's a very simple and genius idea. In reality though, no two forms are ever the same so I tend to get as far as my first name, last name and telephone number, before I need to complete the rest manually. Without wanting to put myself at risk of sounding like a whining grumbleweed, this does get a little repetitive in the life of a job seeking chump.
Take yesterday for example. I applied for jobs as a Customer Service Co-ordinator, Sales Administrator, Administration Assistant, HR Assistant, Personal Assistant to Directors and also registered my CV and details with ASDA, Tesco and Morrison’s. For each of these applications, I found myself repeating the same information over, and over, and over again …but each time is a slightly different format.
Once I’d set myself up on the ASDA, Tesco and Morrison’s recruitment channels, I set about searching for vacancies in the Blackburn, Accrington, Burnley, Bolton and Preston stores, but there wasn’t a peep, bar a four hours per week position at Rawtenstall. I did however complete an application for a position at Morrison’s Head Office at Bradford.
Many of these jobs failed to inspire me and as Wednesday drew to a close, I didn’t feel I’d made much progress at all from the way I’d felt twenty four hours previously. But then a phone call arrived that really cheered me up! …A pebble in the ocean!
Back in 2004, I coached the Whalley Juniors Under 10’s team and I got friendly with the Dad of one of the lad’s. RD had recently completed his FA Coaching course, so he kindly volunteered his time and really helped me out with the training sessions and match-day responsibilities. We’ve kept in touch ever since with Christmas messages and suchlike, as well as the occasional bit of Burnley FC/West Bromwich Albion-related banter.
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| WJ JFC - Under-10's, back in 2004. Note the blonde hair! |
RD works in a senior position for JD Williams in Manchester, a company that originated as three mobile shops over 150 years ago. These days, the company is now recognised as one of the major players in home shopping with a huge line of niche trading brands. JD Williams broke the mould for catalogue shopping and was the first company to recognise the market for fashionable clothing lines for those with a larger frame. The group now employs over 3000 staff across brands such as Jacamo and Simply Be with a leading catalogue and online presence.
By virtue of this very blog, RD called me up with a chirpy tone to his voice and explained that he’d just come out of a meeting. Although the idea was only at its inception, he asked me if I’d be interested in a possible copy writing position with the firm - at which I jumped at the chance!
The process is still at a very tentative stage with only a CV provided so far, along with a few web links to some of my previous works. Encouragingly though, RD later texted to explain he was pretty sure they’d be inviting me for a couple of days on trial, so I was obviously chuffed to pieces with this. Having bags of time to spare at the moment and no ties to a current employer, I am more than happy to work on a trial basis or voluntarily if-needs-be, if it will help assess my suitability for the role and get the idea off the ground.
This was a welcome piece of positive news that really cheered me up at the end of what had otherwise been a pretty depressing day. It’s amazing how a simple phone call can give you an immediate spring in your step and I was a much happier man. But most of all, I was really touched that RD had thought of me and taken the opportunity to give me a call. Even if nothing at all comes at the end of this, I’m very humbled that RD thought of me for the position and extremely thankful. Hopefully though, things might just work out and I’ll get the chance to repay his faith in me.
At the very least, it looks like an interview might be on the cards. Progress.
Day 22
Thursday started where Wednesday left off, with news of another interview, thus creating the most positive period of time since this blog began. Before I go on though, I must hit the brakes and remind myself that the marathon has only just begun, before I get ahead of myself and burst with excitement.
Although it’s a long and arduous slog to even get to this stage, hearing you’ve got an interview is akin to lacing up your trainers in preparation for a marathon. The searching, the application form completion and the online-test stages are comparative to training for a marathon. Hearing that you’ve got an interview is where the hard work really begins!
I woke up at about 9:45 this morning after indulging in Match of the Day until the small hours. As is customary these days, I leaned over to check my iPhone for e-mails, texts, Facebook messages and voice-mails. Blankety-blank across the board.
But by the time I’d washed my face and paws, it was all change.
A missed call and a voice-mail from a ‘blocked’ number. Ooooh. The excitement!
I dialled my voicemail and was greeted by a Northern Irish accent. “Hi there Mr. Taylor ….it’s Gary here calling from the BBC …….” ….THE BLOODY BBC!!! …No way! ….WAY!!!
I was absolutely delighted to learn that I’d been selected for the shortlist of Regional Support Assistant, working for the Children In Need team based in Manchester. After a lengthy initial application process, I then completed almost three hours-worth of online tests last Friday night. It was really rewarding to know that I’d ‘passed’ the tests and to hear that my efforts had been recognised. After calling him back, I received a copy of the Job Description via e-mail, but I didn’t need to think twice before calling him back again to accept the invite to interview, which takes place in 11 days time, on St. Valentine’s Day.
Gary proceeded to tell me that I’ll need to complete another round of online tests beforehand, but if this helps the Team Manger find out all they need to know about prior to the big day, I’m very happy to oblige.
So, all-in-all, the sun is shining brightly and in a much bluer sky than it was in my last blog. I’ve also been reminded of the kindness of human nature and the value of effort. Two lessons I drew from one of my proudest moments a few years ago.
In 2007, my best mate Martyn and I completed the London Marathon and with the help of our friends and family, we helped raise thousands of pounds for the Anthony Nolan Trust. Just for the crack, we ran around the streets of London with the names ‘Bert’ and ‘Derek’ emblazoned upon our vests. Little did I know at the time what a profound effect this would have on getting me over the finish-line.
It was one of the hottest London Marathon’s in years and the greatest memory I took from this experience was that it totally restored my faith in human nature. Thousands of London-folk had lined the streets to cheer on the runners and offer treats, drinks and most of all, encouragement all the way along the circuit. Not only where we surrounded by inspirational runners all around us, but to hear people cheering your name as you ‘whizzed’ by was an unbelievably overwhelming feeling. At every bend there was a cheer of “Keep going Bert!”, or “Go-on Del-Boy!”, which not only kept us going, but continued to keep Martyn and I laughing throughout. A truly brilliant day.
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| Mission accomplished: Derek & Bert |
The point is, those cheer-people had never seen us, nor would they ever see us again. They didn’t need to come out on to the streets to support us, or kindly offer drinks and refreshing showers from their garden hoses. RD’s phone call yesterday reminded me of this kindness. Like all those people that day in London, he didn’t have to give me a call, but he was considerate enough to think of me as soon as he heard about the potential opening. Both cases are simple, genuine acts of kindness.
The BBC process also reminded me of the rewards that can be gained through hard work. As I said earlier, I’m only lacing up my trainers for the marathon ahead at this stage, but without all the groundwork I’d done before-hand, I'd never have received that phone call this morning.
Only time will tell if I've got the legs I need to get me over the finish-line.
Until next time, many blessings.
Jason
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