Another quarter

Last week was the last chance my employer had to make me redundant until June.

This is because under my German contract the minimum notice they can give is six weeks before the end of the quarter.

It's not nice living like this but at least I have an income.

However the notice period works both ways so now I can't resign either until June.

Cynicism is the evil twin of realism

Today my new boss had a meeting with us all, although I had to dial in as he works in another country.

He made it clear that the de-layering of my previous boss was not a reorganization and he had no plans for further redundancies.

He actually stressed this.

I know this guy and he seems a pretty decent chap.

Nevertheless my c.v. is at the ready.

Following my own advice

If I am going to/perhaps will soon need to find another job then I should at least follow my own advice.

So, I've just renewed my membership of the American German Business Club in Munich.

Tuna and pasta in a spicy tomato sauce

Yesterday one of my favourite recruitment consultants phoned me (favourite because a few years ago he recruited me for a job in Munich).

I had phoned him on Tuesday and sent him my c.v.

He said there were a few potential opportunities he was developing, some in Europe and a couple in New York.

Wow, that would be very good for me.

Obviously I would have to look at things like visas and healthcare. He didn't think getting a visa would be a problem at my level - which was nice to hear.

Anyway, he will get back to me.

Following the recent theme for post titles, guess what I had for dinner last night?

Sandwich

I was tired today.

But I looked at my emails and found that I had been contacted by someone recruiting for a large, international telecommunications company.

They're looking for someone to set up a new, senior role dealing with projects and programmes, a bit like a project office.

We talked this evening when I got home.

It does sound interesting and I do seem to be a match (the recruiter found my details from LinkedIn).

Now, the job is in Frankfurt and I live, and have established myself, in Munich.

And it is not that international (currently I have a global role).

He's putting my name forward but I will have to think.

Still, this week I made no applications and received one bite.

I also had one curry and one sandwich (tonight) and it is only Tuesday.

Curry

The big thing for expats to do in Munich, and not just British expats, is to eat curry.

Mmm, curry.

Reminds them of home, or, if they are not British, someone else's home.

And when I say "them" I mean "me". And my fellow expats, quite a few of whom are American.

So yesterday I had a curry with a couple of friends.

Now Germany has a reputation for efficiency. Unless you live there. Take mobile phones.

Whilst I was waiting for my curry (lamb special) I noticed that I had a voice mail message on my mobile.

It was my boss asking me to call him.

It was 8pm and my boss would only leave a request like that at such a time if it was truly urgent.

I call him.

"What's up?" he asks.

"Um, I was going to ask you that, seeing as you left a message for me to call you".

"I called you in the morning".

Ah, German efficiency at its best.

I explain that I will shortly have my face in a plate of curry and he suggests we talk the next day. No, I will feel less anxious if we talk there and then.

So he tells me that he is leaving the company. For another job but he was basically forced out and got lucky. Also, he is not being replaced but "delayered".

Hmmm.

The boss is an all-round good guy and I am shocked and exasperated. Also, the company isn't doing great (English understatement).

There comes a time when you just know the game is over. For me it was between the poppadoms and the lamb curry.