Fitting in

So, my boss terminated a senior manager.

(Not me).

The guy just didn't fit in.

I didn't have much to do with him but I found him rude and arrogant.

Others felt the same. At least one of his reports was thinking of resigning because of him.

Other senior members of the department (who didn't report to him) also thought he was a joke.

German companies tend to practise Probezeit ("Test time"): a probationary period of usually six months.

During this time either the employee or the employer can terminate the contract with usually just two weeks' notice and with no need to give a reason. After the Probezeit it is very difficult to sack someone and the notice period can run to three months, for any level of employee, which in turn makes it hard to leave a company for another job.

Now this is better than other countries. For example, the legal minimum in the UK is one week's notice for the first year, although companies often offer better conditions in their contracts so you aren't anxious for a whole year.

And in the USA I understand it is often the case that you are permanently on a week's notice and it is, in general, much easier to sack someone.

Still, in Germany the Probezeit period is quite a tense time and people normally keep their heads down. Which is not that good for companies either, especially for hiring recruits who should be in leadership roles.

I didn't keep my head down that much in this company but fortunately I fitted in. I still found the first six months quite tense - not least as the company is classed as a hyper growth business which meant I had rather a lot going on and a lot to quickly assimilate.

This guy didn't keep his head down either and was very vocal and liked to argue. I keep thinking that his MBA (actually an Exec MBA) proved the alternative meaning: "Mediocre But Arrogant".

It's sad when someone loses their job but sometimes also a relief.

I hope he finds somewhere more suitable for him.

Warning

If you send me your c.v. and ignore any of the points mentioned here do not expect an interview.

Homework

I'm helping a friend do Excel exercises for a company with whom she is undergoing recruitment assessments.

The exercises are pretty straightforward.

I'm also using it as an opportunity to get used to a new tablet.

A few weeks ago I tried out a Fujitsu slate but didn't like it.

Then I tried a Lenovo ThinkPad Nexus. Pretty good but a bit heavy.

And the little PSU caused interference on external monitors.

Yesterday I got my hands on a Microsoft Surface Pro.

You know what?

I think the says at Small & Flaccid have cracked it. L

Frankfurt

When I first visited Frankfurt it was in the 90s and I was visiting an English friend who was living there.

Coming from London, I thought it was a great city and wanted to live and work there.

A few years later I got a job in Munich.

Munich!

Turns out Munich is much, much better.

And not least the beer.

For quite a few years now I have been living in the city.

But a couple of years ago I took a job in Frankfurt, in desperation.

Fortunately the company failed their probation period before I gave up my flat here.

And these days I have a permanent job in Munich - well, as permanent as jobs get.

So, you can imagine my disdain when I was emailed today about a job in Frankfurt.

Experteer

Yesterday I received a final reminder about my payment to this service (of which I am a Premium member).

But I hadn't received any messages before.

Anyway, I renewed it today (I think it was using an expired credit card).

Nevertheless I have a slight feeling it isn't worthwhile.

Does anyone have any positive experiences from using it?

OneNuts

Nowadays, not only do I have a job but one which allows me to "try out" new pieces of equipment more or less as I wish.

So I am trying out a tablet PC, running Windows 8.

It's a Lenovo Helix and I am getting quite impressed with it.

And I am beginning to tolerate Windows 8 (tolerate meaning, in the case, not wanting to totally obliterate Microsoft).

And it has OneNote for Windows 8 on it (and I have been a fan of OneNote for years).

Which seems rather nice until you find out:

1. it syncs automatically to Microsoft's SkyDrive which makes it impossible to use in a business context
2. you can't print
3. you can't do some other things you could do with earlier versions ... BUT YOU CAN'T PRINT.

If Dancing Monkey Boy Steve Ballmer wants to contribute to this job hunting blog he just has to contact me (and send a scan of his pink slip).

Could have written this myself

Found on the WSJ, Get Rid of the Performance Review!

It's never too late

My mobile phone rings at work.

My personal mobile, not my work mobile because that is a Blackberry and my company is still in the early 00s.

A company to whom I had applied months ago - a rather large company (actually a freakin huge company) was wondering - rather timidly - if I was still available.

No.

I seem to have landed in a good job and Blackberry phones, well the model 9900, are so damn good I can't understand why RIM are doing so badly.

Sometimes it is too late.

Decision

When I told my bosses, well my immediate boss, he wasn't sure if he wanted me to stay another week or longer.

Now, my contract only talks about immediate termination on either side. Plus they put me on furloughs without notice.

Still, I wanted to be helpful.

On Monday there was a programme team conference call where my departure this Friday was announced. I mentioned, rather embarrased, that this was only my suggestion and had not been confirmed.

Later I sent an email to my boss detailing everything I had been working on. It was a short email. In it, I also said that I would leave on Friday unless there was a strong objection.

No reply.

So, on Tuesday I emailed my new company and told them I can start next Monday.

That "right feeling" feeling

So, after talking to my boss I contact his boss.

His immediate response is lots of laughter and "everyone is leaving".

A few seconds pause ... including him.

He is tying up a new position in a major insurance company.

"Awesome," I tell him, "but I beat you to it".

It's not the waiting ...

... it's the waiting.

Twice this morning I went down to the bottom of our block of flats where the mailboxes are kept.

And both times my mailbox was empty.

Meanwhile I had e-mailed the new company telling them I was happy with the pdf of the contract they had sent and also mentioning that I have holiday in August (which I had forgot to mention before)

They replied that the holiday was not a problem.

Then I went off to lunch and, once again, checked my mailbox.

Big envelope was there.

With a big contract inside.

Lunch could wait (yes, really).

Signed the contract, went to the post office to post it, bought lunch (because it can't wait that long), then called my boss to tell him the good news.

He was very British about it (despite not being British in the slightest).

I have a nominal start date with the company of 1st August but am hoping I can bring that considerably forward. And I anticipate that I can end this contract by the end of next week.

A bit more waiting

Nothing in the post today - actually nothing at all, let alone the contract.

I contact the agency who assure me it's in the post and send an unsigned pdf of the contract.

It has all the details correct - name (and name spelt correctly), salary at the correct level etc.

So now I wait for it to arrive by post.

Meanwhile I have asked a friend who is a German to English business translator to quickly read it. I don't need a translation - just a quick review in case I missed something outrageous (which I'm pretty sure I haven't).

If she doesn't have time (and it was a last minute request as I thought they would write a version in English as well) that doesn't matter.

And in a few minutes there's another German speaking practise meetup - this time in a pub one block away from me. Must dash.

Waiting

The contract didn't come today.

Disintermidation

On Friday an agency sent me an email asking if I was interested in a project, working from  home but for a company in NRW (basically the Rhein area of Germany).

This morning I replied that I was interested.

Whilst I was out at lunchtime hunting for a sandwich the agency called me on my mobile and in the street we had a good chat. The result of this is that my name is going to be put forward to their client.

Splendid.

Which is just as well as I recently realised that my current job has been disintermidated but that my management haven't realised and are still paying me.

In fact I didn't have much to do today at all.

Still this evening I heard that the company who interviewed me last week (face to face) are sending a contract over tomorrow.

If it's okay then it looks like I can disintermediate myself from this current job.

Lazy Sunday

But not that lazy.

Despite it being the start of the holiday season in Germany (known as "Summer") I managed to find and apply for three jobs.

And I haven't heard back yet from the company which interviewed me last week.

Despite being able to interview in German I think I should continue to improve it so will later be going to a meetup of expats who practise their skills in this language.

It's at a beer garden - well, as I said, lazy Sunday.

Managing the Enemy

Yesterday I had a second interview, face to face with a company in Munich.

First I was interviewed by the manager who interviewed me on the phone last week.

He drew things on a flip board. Then asked if I had any questions. I asked if I could outline my approach to his situation on the flip board.

At the end of that he asked if I would like to do that role for them.

I replied, "Yes, please".

He laughed because the only other possible answer, framed that way, was "No, thank you".

In all that bit of the interview went well.

But then he went away and the HR director came in.

He was asking questions about my technical competence which were nonsensical in the role we were discussing. Plus his English wasn't that good and mostly we spoke German.

HR people can really screw up your recruitment. You have to keep them under a tight leash and never let them interview your candidates on their own.

I should hear by the end of the week about this job.

The company who telephone-interviewed me only in German for 45 minutes felt that my profile wasn't right for the role. Which is kinda good because it means that my German was quite good.

Oh and today at work senior management have been wondering if my role is of use to them. Which means that they are only slow by about nine months - I've felt that my role added little value since I joined and was ripe for disintermediation.

Still, I've earnt a lot more than I normally do in a year when permanently employed.

Follow-up calls in Germany

Yes or no? It seems yes.

Emergency Bier

Just had a second telephone interview in German - this time for 45 minutes.

Don't wait up for a second posting today, right?

Even more heartening

So I received a reply from the agency I contacted yesterday evening.

They liked my c.v. but wanted to check that I realised it wasn't a project management job, because otherwise I seemed to be a "perfect" match.

Not a problem at all ....

... I have a telephone interview with their client next week.

Heartening

Sometimes I feel it will be hard to get another job in Munich without good German. This is a bit bizarre because:

• with a bit of practise I actually have good German (the problem is that here in Germany there is little chance to practise it)
• I've already had five jobs in Germany
• and just today I called one agency (via a contact), another called me about a possible contract and I also applied for a job seen on GULP. All in English.

Top tip for monsters

A friend of mine, unbidden, suggested that I amend my details, specifically my c.v. on Monster. It was her experience that the mere updating resulted in more phone calls. I need more phone calls from agencies. Let's see what happens.

Unfurloughed

Last night I received a message that the furlough has been lifted and I should resume work this morning. Which I will. But I am concerned about what has happened in the last two weeks. If they could proceed without me (and the others) then I can't see how we can add value now. If they couldn't proceed then the programme will now be in a very serious situation. During the furlough I couldn't find many (or indeed any) suitable jobs but I must continue looking.

Guess what?

The contractors at the client company, including me, have been put on a furlough again.

Afghanistan

I received an email about a job in Khabul. The email was clearly a circular so I didn't even bother to reply. The next day I get a call about an interesting opportunity which would particularly suit me due to my background with the company involved. Lots of money, benefits blah blah blah it's in Khabul. I live in the fourth best city in the world. The chances of me having my head cut off whilst being videoed is not high. And as we have Afghan restaurants here (which are very nice) there really is no incentive for me to consider it. So I don't.

Malta

An Englishman contacts me on Xing.com about a position. Turns out he's in Malta but the job is in Munich. I call him. Also turns out that the job is re-advertised and that I had applied for it earlier. Nevertheless he puts my name forward.

Chinese experience

Having made eight business trips to Beijing I know how great the food can be.


As well as having eaten a lot of Chinese food I also worked a lot with people from Beijing and was able to use that fact in my application for a job with a Chinese company today.

I'm getting hungry just thinking about the food actually.

Learning

Learning, always learning.

Today I learnt some more about:

• confusing people - tell your report to do something they have been specifically told to wait on by a stakeholder
• demotivating people - threaten them with furloughs and even instant dismissal if they don't do new and really complicated things even though they have a lot to do anyway
  
• stressing people - get the person whom you told to do something (that they have been told not to do) to do something else at the last minute, then to go back to what they are doing, all this without allowing overtime
• defocusing people - when your programme is going badly, and you have an immoveable dropdead date with massive corporate risk, get all the people who can get you out of the hole to do timesheets and create detailed, practically fictional plans running over 18 months.

Am not impressed with this disorganisation.

Taleo

... or to give them their proper name "fucking Taleo" (I heard this from someone else).

I am rather hoping that if anyone ever manages to complete a Taleo based application they automatically get the job.

Today I actually managed this and am now smugly sitting back waiting for the offer.

That sinking feeling

Apart from the furlough and then the massive descope my boss is acting like he is a bit stressed.

Which is reasonable but not pleasant.

I talked to another colleague about it and he agreed.

I want out.

Descope

The programme on which I work likes to descope things. Big things.

Originally I was working on five big things.

This was descoped to two big things.

And today it was reduced to one big thing.

Mind you it is big thing I am working on right now but it is not boding well.

re.vu

Via Lifehacker I found the site re.vu.

I even created an account so that it gave me an easy to spell URL with my initials along the lines of re.vu/easytospellurl rather than use my full name which would look like re.vu/difficulttospellurl.

Not sure how useful it will be though. Some Lifehacker commenters mentioned that most recruiters prefer c.v.s in Word so they can put it into the databases.

Udate the blog, must update the blog

Today I found and applied for a permanent job in Munich.

Found on Toytown.

Networking

Yesterday one of my contacts on Xing.com, whom I only met a couple of times, sent me a message asking if I was available for work.

I replied positively.

This afternoon an agency contacted me as a result - he had relayed my details to him.

Unfurloughed

Since Monday I have been back at work.

Let's see how I did during the furlough:

1. Fix girlfriend's hard disk which suffered a major crash. - Had to be repaired by someone who knew what they are doing. Anyway, she now has a Macbook Pro. Am envious,
   
2. Look for jobs. - Looked, applied, was contacted by at least one agency and today had an interview as a result.
   
3. Improve German (I am supposed to be almost fluent, not almost incoherent) - Have done a little bit more than before
   
4. Run during the day, I'm already at 8km, heck maybe even go swimming - Now up to 10Km although no controlled drowning swimming.
   
5. Update this blog - whaddya think you are reading?
   
6. Do some private appointments (dentist etc) - done
   
7. Learn some new recipes - well, read some new recipes
   
8. Meet up for lunch with friends (like sushi on Thursday) - raw fish was eaten.
   

One

Today I applied for one job.

I also went to the dentist for a regular check-up.

And, so far, I haven't looked at any German.

Slight change in approach

These days more jobs seem to be advertised in German, or requiring good German skills.

And I have good German skills ... on paper.

But in reality they need brushing up.

So, for the second week of this furlough I am concentrating on improving my German.

I will still look at job sites but that won't be my main focus.

E.C.C.A.

Yesterday late afternoon I had an emergency cake then curry alert which meant that I couldn't report that I had applied for two jobs.

One was in response to an agency contacting me on Xing. The other, I saw on Monster (via Toytown). This one is actually quite close to where I live.

Strangest job advert layout of the week

My thanks to Elliot for alerting me to this:

Job description: Technical management of electronic developments within R & D projects Contact internal and external electronic and electrical issues in the project Budget responsibility Responsible for timely preparation of the necessary technical solutions In collaboration with the Project Manager rate, fixing, schedule, quality and functional goals of the electronic components

• Planning, monitoring and control of internal and external development capacitance (hardware, software, testing) with internal tuning
• Timely Identification of development risks (cost, schedule, technical) project manager and technical supervisor at as well as planning and control of countermeasures
  Required Qualifications
  • University degree in electrical engineering, computer science, industrial engineering, etc. or equivalent qualification with relevant professional experience
    • perennial experience in the development of electronic components in the automotive industry
    • experience in project and requirements management and change management
    • hardware and / or software development experience
      • Good SPICE process development experience
      • distinctive quality and cost consciousness
        • Close collaboration with customers and suppliers
        • Very good command of german and english
          • familiarity with the standard Microsoft Office programs
          • Automotive experience is an advantage We welcome your feedback and are always at your disposal to answer questions for.

Things to do during a furlough

1. Fix girlfriend's hard disk which suffered a major crash.
2. Look for jobs.
3. Improve German (I am supposed to be almost fluent, not almost incoherent)
4. Run during the day, I'm already at 8km, heck maybe even go swimming
   
5. Update this blog
6. Do some private appointments (dentist etc)
7. Learn some new recipes
   
8. Meet up for lunch with friends (like sushi on Thursday)

Any other ideas?

Furloughed

Last week started to get rather busy.

Things are coming together in the programme, kick-offs had to be kicked-off.

Monday, yesterday, saw a lot of work on preparing one of these kick-off meeting.

But then my agency phoned to fell me that I, and practically all the other contractors, had been immediately put on a two week furlough.

Which means for two weeks I don't work and therefore don't get paid.

Reasons ...

1. ... I might need another job:

The programme on which I am working has recently suffered over a 50% decrease in scope.

2 ... I really might need another job:

Sometimes I only get one work-related email a day.

3 ... I really need another job:

Yesterday I received a blue Lufthansa Miles and More card.

This means all my airlines loyalty cards are at the lowest level. No more privileges, no more upgrades.

Just over a year ago I had two gold cards and a silver one.

And I would fly to Beijing or Tokyo.

Now, I have to get special permission to take the train to Bad Homburg.

Interesting view

from the other side of the interview desk.

As you know I've sat on both sides as well and have similar but not identical views.

Interesting comments too.

Good advice

I found a couple of articles about c.v.s: Word to Banish and Why Your Tech c.v. Sucks.

I like both of them but read the comments too for some alternative takes on the issues.

LinkedIn message

Received today:


On (very recently), (someone) wrote:
--------------------
Dear (Job Hunter with No Name),

I`d like to add you to my network to discuss an excellent opportunity within (worst company ever). We`re currently looking for an experienced Senior Project Manager (major projects). Please let me know if potentially interested, I`ll gladly send more details.



Regards,



(someone)


To which I replied:

Dear (someone),

Thank you for contacting me.

I actually worked for (worst company in the world ever) for two months during the summer. Unfortunately I didn't enjoy it and was glad to leave.

It's not something I would put in my c.v. or LinkedIn details so you weren't to know.

Regards,

Job Hunter with No Name

Breaking the news

Yesterday I went into the office in Frankfurt.

My boss called asking me to go straight over to the client.

No problem I told him.

But I then told him I was resigning.

He said he was not surprised but disappointed.

He asked but I told him there was nothing he could do to change my mind.

He asked me to give it a week - which I can't as I've accepted another job - and to keep an open mind - which being an open minded sort of person I agreed. But I told him I was still submitting my resignation.

It is very bad for him as a fellow project manager (who has worked there longer) is off sick and may be so for quite a while.

But it is even worse for him. Later today I was talking to a project controller who told me that she had also resigned.

Thinking

Since the good news on Wednesday I have been thinking and talking to people about the options.

Except there is no option - I can't continue in the current company. Even though I've been told it will get better. I've talked with some colleagues and they don't think it will.

In a little while I will be going up to Frankfurt. My case is packed and I have written a letter of resignation.

Meanwhile I have also signed and emailed my acceptance of the new contract.

Food

After writing my thank you note I went out for some food.

And a glass of wine (ref Rioja).

Halfway through it my recruitment agent called me.

This was a bit embarrassing as it sounded as if I was in a pub.

Because I was in a pub.

The recruitment agent explained that the interviewers liked me.

And that they were going to offer me the contract (they couldn't be arsed with all that waiting until next week nonsense).

I decided to have another glass of wine.

Thank you

So I had the interview and it seemed to go ok.

They said they would get back to me next week.

Afterwards I contacted the Texas-based recruitment consultant.

During the debrief she suggested I write a "thank you" note.

Of course, Americans expect that.

Being English I had never, ever done that before (it would come across badly to cynical British eyes).

So, I wrote my first ever thank you note.

Interview

Tomorrow.

But I am off sick.

But it is a telephone interview.

I will call a conference number in the US but the actual job should be in Frankfurt.

Late night call

From America.

A few weeks ago an agency contacted me about a possible contract in Frankfurt.

Now I have just started a permanent job in Frankfurt so normally would not be interested. Except, this is no normal situation, so I am interested.

Few more calls then it went quiet.

But the agent called at around 2245 last night to say that the client wanted to interview me.

Although I was asleep in bed and therefore woken up I was delighted.

Hoping they will interview soon.

ApplyMate

Why didn't I think of this?

Hat tip to Lifehacker.

War Work is Hell

Until Saturday I spent the last three weeks working on a stupid project in Hamburg.

Very long hours, lots of uncertainty and pressure.

Incredibly unstructure at both project and programme level.

And I hadn't been in the company a month when I went up to the city after a terrible handover.

Today I was suppose to go back there. In fact I flew to Hamburg but felt sick so grabbed a flight back to Munich.

And the company still hasn't found me a flat - which they had promised to do.

When I get the time to job hunt I will update this blog, but basically I need a(nother) job more than I needed a job just a few weeks ago.

Conflicted

Let me give you some background:

1. I've worked for three SMBs and none of them exist now (not taken over, just went out of business). Actually, since Tuesday I am working for a fourth.
2. When the interview was arranged for last Monday it was orginally set for 3pm. Then it was moved to 7pm
3. I was told the company would find a room near the central railway station in which to interview me. Turned out to be the terrace of an, albeit very nice, ice-cream parlour.
4. They then tried to meet my minimum salary requirements by a combination of basic plus bonus. To be fair they quickly accepted my insistence.
5. I was told they would find a "nice flat" for me for three months. Today they sent a link to the flat they had found. Basically a studio. Except there was only a single bed, almost a camp bed. And the bathroom was a shower with a toilet so close to it that I doubt you could properly sit on it. I told them straightaway this was unacceptable and they will keep me in a hotel for a bit longer.

Now, I know a lot of people would be very grateful for the above. I know too how difficult it is to get a job - heck, it once took me two years (as well readers of this blog will know). But the company keeps giving me bad feelings.

Except they also give me good feelings. The people I work with, even the HR people ("the enemy) - they were fine when I told them I would not accept the flat - all seem pretty decent.

It ain't Munich but most jobs for which I've applied haven't been there.

The job is not in the slightest technically demanding. The main thing is to simplify a needlessly chaotic situation.

I can walk away from it (in Germany the practice is two have a trial period of about six months when each side is on two weeks' notice) if I want to.

I don't know.

Today I applied for one freelance job which is located somewhere in Bavaria.

Slept on it ...

... and talked to friends including those who have done business in Germany, one of whom is a procurement specialist at director level.

Anyway, might write more about it later but today is my first day.

Staying in a hotel in Frankfurt.

The company had suddenly moved very quickly (and they were pretty quick before).

Contract arrived at 5.30pm on Friday, just before I was going to go out. My name was spelt wrong.

They wanted me to start at 09.30 on Wednesday (and in the whole of Germany Monday was a public holiday).

More talking, thinking, fretting, then on Monday accepted and booked a train ticket to Frankfurt.

Except that ...

I get told the offer.

It is significanlty less than the minimum I expected (and stated).

Although with a bonus it would take it above the minimum.

Not happy.

I always ignore bonuses. They are just nice to haves.

I talk to a couple of friends with business experience in Germany.

Both of them point out that German companies like to "assume" that the bonus will be met so is part of the basic package.

But this is primarirly a British company with a GmbH in Germany (for whom I would be working). I was interviewed by a Brit and an American. So our meanings of salary expectations should have been understood.

They later came back with an offer which consisted of:

1. what they originally offered but
2. after six months raised to my minimum, subject to performance.

I think they have honest intentions but I am worried about the viability of my situation.

Need to sleep on it.

Nice sushi and nice cameras

The recruitment agent called me today.

The client appreciated my limitations in German but would like to go ahead and offer me a permanent position. In Frankfurt.

So, now I have to see the conditions of the offer.

Kinda sad that I would be leaving Munich but it would be good to move forward rather than treading water job hunting.

And like I said, Frankfurt ain't that bad.

Frankfurt - nice sushi

So yesterday I took the train to Frankfurt.

Arrived at 1pm and met up with the recruitment consultant, who is also a friend (after an embarrasing him-calling-me on-the-mobile-whilst-standing-one-meter-away thing) and went for sushi.

Very good sushi: better and cheaper than what they have in Munich.

The interview has been postponed until 7pm so I walked a bit around Frankfurt in the rain.

Found a Leica museum where they let me play with an M7 and MP camera.

Such nice cameras. I have an M3 which was built in the 1950s and is just awesome.

The body (lens not included) of a new Leica film camera only costs €4000 so you can imagine the restraint I showed in not buying one.

Then I found a Starbucks and used the Wifi to kill more time browsing.

Then I went to the Starbucks at the main station which was the rendez-vous.

Met up with the interviewers. Went to an outside cafe/ice-cream place and had the interview.

Some of it was in German and although it went okay I am not sure if I could sustain it for a whole day on a client site.

After the interview, no more than an hour, waited for the train home. Much slower train, I spent almost an hour from 11pm in Nuremberg waiting for the connection and only got home at 2am.

A long day for an hour-long interview.

Progress

The phone interview on Wednesday has resulted in me being invited to a face-to-face interview this coming Monday in Frankfurt.

Initially it was going to be at 3pm and I booked train tickets accordingly.

The agent then asked if I could instead meet them at 7pm.

Well the last feasible train back to Munich leaves just before 9pm. And that gets in at 1am.

Anyway a compromise was reached: we meet at the station at 7pm. The company should be able to get a meeting room there as it is a huge main station for the business/finance centre of Germany.

Sneaky

I see a job on indeed.com which links to www.jobleads.de

In fact it says details of this job is only available to registered members of that site.

So I register, but not as a premium member. Takes about 15 minutes (it's in German).

I then search on the job and find it. And also then find that details of the job are only available for premium members.

I do not upgrade my membership.

So that's why it's so quiet

Just went to the local shops.

They were all closed.

Hmm.

I didn't feel like I had been in a coma for three days (that is waking on Sunday when shops are always closed in Munich).

Turns out it's a public holiday in this part of the world.

Stats

Forgot to mark the 100th application but anyway,

from last year to yesterday I have:

• made 124 applications
• had 35 bites
• and had six interviews

Normally I expect one in ten applications to result in a bite and one in ten bites to result in an interview. So I am, or the economy is, doing well.

Actually this is even better as I am applying to mainly countries (e.g. DACH) where English is not the first language.

So, I am doing well, except I don't have a job yet so "doing well" is meaningless.

Strong

Quite a few people (e.g. recruiters, interviewers etc) say I have strong marketable skills ... except that don't have anything for me just now.

Grrr.

Phone interview today

for a programme management job based in Frankfurt. It was with an English integrator.

It went well but they nearly all do.

German

I took the B2 "für den Beruf" exam in occupational German in early March.

In early April I got the result. I passed with a score of 80%. Actually 80.25% which is graded as a Note 2 - good. Note 1 - very good is what I achieved for the B1.

According to an owner of a German school I met at the AGBC that means I'm almost fluent.

Fast fließend mein Arsch.

Anyway I put this acheivement down on my c.v.

At the interview in Bonn yesterday I was asked if I would prefer to speak in German or English and a compromise was reached. Introductions in German, then I would speak about myself in English then more in German.

(For the job it is essential to have English only).

But that's the thing: as soon as people switch into English no-one switches back. That is one of the reasons I am not fluent in German yet. One word of English and the die is cast.

Not that I was complaining.

Travel

So, I can travel to Beijing or Tokyo, and ater reaching the hotel go and lead a meeting, or run for 20 minutes on a treadmill.

But yesterday I went to Bonn for the day (which is about the same time in total in terms of train travel) and return exhausted and am still exhausted today.

Anyway the interview went well and I had a nice ice cream (afterwards).

about me

Not sure if I mentioned this but I have an about.me page.

Good but all the examples are really creative with great photographs.

I just have a head shot and my usual "elevator pitch".

So, I need to have a good photo taken but I don't want to spend money on do that as I'm not sure the return will be significant (that is, it will make a difference in me getting a job).

Tiring

Well that was a tiring Saturday morning.

I hate having to dress for work and going into an office on the weekend.

And that's what I had to do today.

Except it was worse than that as I don't actually have a job.

It was Munich's American German Business Club's Exchange event. Three seminars and the opportunity to network. Held at KPMG's offices. A good event except it meant getting up early (that is, before midday).

Earlier during the week I had finally got around to getting my own business cards.

I had been meaning to do this for weeks. In fact, I had earlier opportunities to give cards to people I had met but I didn't have any (and this is someone who has been on business trips to Japan).

So, before this event, I made sure to get some.

And yesterday I had a haircut as well, just to be safe.

Anyway, today I gave out three of the hundred business cards I had - all to people who already knew me.

Interview!

In two weeks time for a major company, in Bonn.

Good start to the week.

Oh, and they would be paying very well (and the Bonn, Düsseldorf region is cheaper than Munich).

"Interesting" Job of several weeks

Total Oil and Gas are recruiting big time, apparently and are advertising in LinkedIn, as well as other places.

I won't copy the advert from LinkedIn as it may breach their copyright but in it readers are asked to contact a Dr. Morgan Phawoski(PhD) emailing recruitment@careers-total.co.uk

Except that Total uses another domain name.

Plus, on their web site, Total warns about fake recruiters (though I can't find the link again). And a site called Complaints Board also has entries about similar adverts or emails from the same person.

If you search on his name up appears what looks like a Xing.com page, inviting you to log in to see his details. Except that the URL is not that of Xing.

Hmm.

I sent an email to LinkedIn support questioning the veracity of the advert but have as yet not received a reply and have seen the advert re-posted.

Refreshing

As well as the interview in Munich last week, I also had an interview in Düsseldorf on Thursday.

The recruiting company actually flew me over there - a day trip for me.

There I had a 90 minute interview where I felt it was clear that I didn't have sufficient relevant industry experience for them.

Then I went into the city's Altstadt and had an excellent but not expensive steak. This is a big deal because Bavarians seem to be genetically incapable of cooking steak - it is always well done. In fact I asked the waitress if she understood my meaning of "medium", which, not coming from Munich, she did.

The next day I advised the agency who had arranged the interview of my feelings.

After my debrief they then told me that the company had already contacted them. Apparently I had interviewed "brilliantly" (it was a tough interview, barely within the Geneva Convention) and they felt I would be "a great fit for their company".

But they also felt I lacked relevant industry experience. Nevertheless they were going to see if they could create a suitable role for me.

Anyway, today the agency called me to advise that they were unable to ... at the moment.

But if things change they will want to talk to me again.

Now, this happens a lot but what really impressed me was the agency. Initially I had applied for a role for which I was, it turned out, totally unsuitable. But they sent my details to their client anyway in case they thought there was some other, more suitable match.

And they were always prompt in sending me information and keeping me up-to-date.

I was so impressed that I sent them a thank you e-mail.

Mate

A friend suggested I send him my c.v. for his employer in Munich.

He actually suggested this several times but always in a pub-type situation so I always forgot.

Eventually he reminded me by Facebook IM.

I sent the c.v. and tomorrow I have an interview.

Over the weekend I printed off my c.v., a six-page Powerpoint presentation they had asked me for, and a Mind map of my career.

I'm not sure about the Mind map (it wasn't asked for) but maybe it will look good.

I am very grateful to my friend for his help but I am sad as he is now seriously ill.

Mind maps

My German course tries to be practical by having the teachers talking about things like the German economy, the work situation and applying for jobs.

On Friday the teacher mentioned that she had been on a seminar about job hunting.

There she heard that recruiters were getting bored with the usual German approach to job hunting.

One thing they would like to see is mind maps about the candidate.

Mind maps.

Really?

The German unemployment problem

Look, certain things have been happening in my life recently:

1. I lose my job
2. I get the B1 competency exam in German after three exhausting weeks of intensive study
3. My bird girlfriend visits
4. The German unemployment office tells me I have to do at least three regular applications
5. I feel slightly panicked because that is quite difficult for someone who doesn't have fluent German
6. So the unemployment office sends me on a German B2 course
7. I feel slightly more panicked because I am already exhausted from learning German
8. I then re-read the form and it say at least three applications per month

Per month! I thought it was per week.

Even I could do three application per week in this country.

Except this language course is from 8.15am to 3.15pm everyday which makes job hunting quite difficult.

Naughty

Someone is being a naughty blogger and not updating his site frequently.

Today I had a telephone interview for a job in Düsseldorf.

After the interview I phoned the agency who said they would contact the client: usual thing, interested etc.

I expected to hear back by the end of next week, as the interviewer had told me.

Anyway after talking to the agency they called back, about five minutes afterwards.

Before they could email the client, the client had called them: they want to interview me next week in Düsseldorf.

A pattern

It seems every time I need a new job I need a new PC.

My current laptop, actually a tablet, is really coming to the end of its life.

The fan rattles and I think its vibrations have loosened screws because the panel for the hard disk drive keeps falling off and the HDD then falls out.

Annoying.

Also it is just too slow.

Today I applied for one job, eventually, and decided to buy a new laptop very soon.

Rubbish

I went to look at my website today.

It's URL is of the format [my initials].eu.com because it would be easier to spell out over the phone.

But I found it was no longer valid.

Apparently it had expired in October even though my account should have automatically renewed from a credit card.

Well this time it hadn't and I wasn't sent a notification.

I emailed the domain company's (123-reg.co.uk) support people. They replied, quite quickly to be fair, that it had expired because there was no valid credit card number.

They didn't explain why I hadn't been contacted about this but did tell me that the domain was still free so I could take it again.

From them? I don't think so.

And thinking about it, I don't need this domain name any more. I now use [my initials].tel, which is even easier to use and has contact links and links to my LinkedIn and Xing pages.

That'll do.

You've got to call

Yesterday I applied for a job to which I thought I was very well suited.

Today I called the agency and the agent told me he thought I wasn't very well suitable at all.

For that job.

But he was willing to consider me for other jobs.

Ten minutes later he called back. He wanted to consider me for some potential project management positions at his client.

He gave directions on how I should tweak my c.v., I dutifully tweaked, and now the c.v. is going to the client.

From the jaws of rejection comes a bite (not sure that sounds right but you know what I mean).

Inappropriately named agency of the week

In Switzerland there is an agency called "ASSpro".

And yes, they capitalise their letters like that.

And they advertise in English.

For what? For IT project managers, of course, so I applied to a job for which they were recruiting.

If they call me I will try not to snigger.

7 Silver Linings Now That You've Lost Your Job

Found on Cracked.

Good

Today I applied for five jobs.

Three were for the same freelance job advertised by different agencies. But they still count. And the job was right up my street.

Another job I applied for was brought to my attention by a former colleague and friend (still a friend if that sentence was misleading). Thanks Elliot.

It asked for bilingual German and English but I applied anyway.

I relayed this to Elliot, pointing out that I am not bilingual in those languages and he replied that I was never good at English. Bloody cheek.

Lack of attention

It seems that although my German may be not bad my English has deteriorated. In response to the first job I saw today I started off a covering email with:

"Your requirements for an IT manager seem to meet my requirements well."

I'm having an emergency cup of coffee.

B1

Well, I got the B1 from the Goethe Institute.

It wasn't easy, three hours a day one-to-one tuition plus homework for three weeks.

This was all extremely exhausting.

Anyway I passed with an average of 93%; this puts me in the top category and the pass mark was 60%.

It means I have a proven ability in German which is quantifiable. Hopefully this will help when I apply for global roles where I will never need to speak another language but English.

During the last three weeks it hasn't only been this blog which has been neglected.

I haven't applied for jobs, I haven't looked at my to do list, I haven't even exercised.

In fact I forgot that I don't have a job.

Have to get back to the hunting now.

Blank stare

You know I've been busy.

Not job hunting mind.

Or working.

No, busier than that. I've been on an intensive German course.

My brain hurts.

And it ain't over.

Viadeo

Found out about this business networking site.

Currently investigating but can't see the value add over LinkedIn, Xing or Facebook.

Bite

Shopping in a supermarket in Munich is getting better.

But not as good as in the UK.

Nevertheless my mobile rang whilst I was there.

It was then that I noticed the ambient sound, the musak.

And I'm tired and not in the mood to speak German.

Which is a pity as the agent calling didn't speak English.

Anyway I gave him some pertinent answers: availability and salary and he said he'd get back to me.

Clarity

Is it "focussed" or "focused"?

Microsoft spellchecker doesn't help on this.

I found a site which claims to know and apparently it is ...

... either. Although the one "s" version is gaining prominence.

Americans

I love them.

OK, not true in slightest. I love only one American ("Hey Babe").

But Americans as a group are lovable (when they are not pissing me off on construction projects which is something they, collectively, like to do).

I have an American contact, with whom I worked when he was with our supplier, who is also on Facebook.

Tonight I saw he was on line and sent him a quick message, which summarized said I am looking for contacts in our mutual Telepresence field.

His response was "let me make some enquiries and try to get back to you by the end of the week".

Awesome.

And earlier an American friend who lives in Munich sent me loads of job details from the company where she is currently working.

Also awesome.

You never know

A friend of mine commented on one of his contact's LinkedIn updates - they were looking to fill roles in Asia.

I didn't know this contact but sent a message as a short contract or interim assignment might be quite good, at least for now.

Experteer

I've just upgraded my membership of Experteer to Premium for the next three months.

Basically it's a site which claims that a lot of headhunters use it.

Yeah, right.

But I met a highly qualified job hunter at an Internations dinner and she said that it was effective.

I am not convinced as I would have thought LinkedIn and Xing would be as sufficient.

But I am finding the market tight for what I want to do. So, I will give it a go.

I've already made a note to cancel my subscription before they automatically renew it.

Zwei

Today I applied for two jobs.

In Germany.

In German (I think).

the company which should know better

clearly doesn't know better.

Pout.

Dissing the enemy

In times of turmoil I turn to Cracked for some interesting reading which is often funny (I think they would like it to be always funny).

They had their usual articles of lists, one of which today, in its number 2 section, had the wonderful phrase: Well, you think, everyone knows that people who work in HR are jerks.

You think that's unfair? Then read this example.

And if you still think that these are valid reasons, or, in particular, handwriting analysis is a real science then go-away. I don't want you reading my blog. You probably work in HR anyway.

More uh oh

A contact I know socially (um, guess that's a friend then), who is a recruitment consultant (does that make them best friend for ever, no really?) contacted me today.

None of her clients want non-German speakers.

And this is in Munich.

Strange. It's like there are people who speak German, on a regular basis, here in Munich (and not just in the Arbeitsamt).

Who'd have thought.

But as I was told today (from a speaker of German in the Arbeitamt) apparently I do speak German.

So maybe this post should be titled "Mehr ach nein".

Uh oh, German bureaucracy

This morning I went to Munich's Arbeitsamt, employment office.

This is something you have to do if you live in Germany and are losing your job.

I've heard a lot of bad things about this place. One friend had to ask the official at her meeting if their comments were appropriate and if she would have to return with a lawyer.

I have also read frightening things on Toytown about this office.

So ... Well, they couldn't have been nicer.

In the first meeting the official was surprised to be told by me that my German wasn't very good. Perhaps it was because I told her this in German. Or perhaps it was because we had been talking for about an hour without any English being exchanged.

By the second meeting I was a bit tired and the official took mercy on me and spoke in English.

I then tried to get to work but the underground train drivers here in Munich have gone on strike.

On strike!

It's 2010, masses of people are losing their jobs, they are already paid well and have great job security. And they are on strike.

Anyway I fired up the VPN and am working from home.

Another week, another application

Last week I managed, and it wasn't easy, to apply for one job.

And I am supposed to do five per week.

Today, and it is only Tuesday, I saw an advertisement in Xing.com for a suitable job in Munich. In English.

I applied.

Slightly less evil

So on Friday I received an email from the company who should know better.

They told me there was an "Other - not listed" option for college.

I had looked - honest - but there were a lot of entries under the letter O and we are not talking the largest typeface (renders as about 9pt on most browsers) so I guess I missed it.

Anyway last week I applied for one job, eventually.

Even more evil

So, I emailed the company which should know better's technical support.

And they were prompt, acknowledged my email and forwarded it to the recruiting team.

Who were equally as prompt and asked me for the reference to the job advert in question.

Good. Nice experience.

But when I reply to them the email is bounced by their internal systems (it seems the address given is an alias and the real address is not valid).

Bad. Not nice experience.

So, I've sent another email to their technical support.

Part of me thinks this doesn't bode well.

Once after an interview I was knocked down by a bus. A big red London one. I was only grazed but should have taken it as an omen. I didn't, got the job and it turned out to be the worst company for whom I have ever worked.

So, I'm now worried when things don't go well.

Anyway for now I'm persevering.

But if they make it too hard to apply, or I suffer calamitous accidents during the selection process, then I will withdraw my application.

More evil than the world can bear

What happens if you give The Enemy* access to the internet?

On-line application forms.

To be more precise: on-line application forms which don't fully work.

This morning I applied to a company for whom I have a lot of respect. A company which should know better.

The job, which they were advertising on-line, is very appropriate for me. In fact, another company already approached me about a very similar role having read my details in LinkedIn.

But this high-technology company, which should know better, waited for me to find their advert and then only gave me the option of filling out their form. On-line.

Part of the form included giving details of my degree and alma mater.

There was a long pull-down list of colleges and universities, including the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, the Beijing Dance Academy and Beaver University where I guess they study beavers.

But not my university - with a good reputation and established early in the last century - where the study of beavers was a purely optional, private matter.

These fields are mandatory. You can't submit an application without completing these fields and there was no "Other" option.

I found an email address on their page. But they sent an automatic reply: "Thank you for contacting jobs@thecompanywhoshouldknowbetter.com. Please use our online application form".

Then I found an email address to technical support so I emailed them.

I guess I will have to be patient in waiting for their reply.

*H.R.

Speaking foreign

I've found a global job which requires fluent German.

Crazy in a country which rarely requires you to speak their language (and seems to actively discourage by refusing to speak to you in German).

In fact, this job found me due to my entry in LinkedIn.

It was about a month ago and apparently I ticked all the boxes.

I hadn't heard anything after the phone interview, which had gone very well (the interviewer had said he wanted to speak with me again).

Yesterday I contacted the agency which had arranged the interview. They phoned me back and told me that the job had gone to someone else and the only issue with my details was my lack of German.

Leider.

Excuses, excuses

But they are good ones.

Three weeks ago I had a bad cold.

Two weeks ago my girlfriend visited me from the States. Whilst she was here the idea of job hunting never entered my head.

One week ago, after she left, I got another bad cold.

Still feel under the weather.

But, now that I am on my own again, I will get back to job hunting. And updating this blog.