Having corrected my c.v. I found what could be a suitable job in the Monster.
It's for a relocation manager in London. It wasn't clear if it was a contract or permenant assignment although I guess the former.
They did ask for people who had done big relocations. Well my experience has been for mainly medium-sized companies but the processes I use can scale to almost any size. You could in fact argue that I've done "big" relocations.
Once again I suspect they'd want someone who can start "immediately". But there's no harm applying. Quite a few companies are very slow recruiting "urgent" roles (over two years and counting in one of my experience) and my contact with the agency may lead to other things.
Today I applied for one job.
A diary based on my latest attempts to get a job; this time in Munich. I'm an engineering graduate (and chartered engineer) with more than 10 years' experience in IT. Over five of these years have been spent in team leading and project management roles both in the UK and abroad.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Attnetion to dteail
Bgguer.
I printed off my c.v. at work to give to our recruitment company.
(The company has subsidaries in the same office, one of which does recruitment. Being an interim, it's quite acceptable for me to approach them).
Despite the near six month break I'm still too familiar with my c.v. So familiar, in fact, that I completely missed some rather obvious howlers.
These only became apparent when I printed off a copy.
Corrected the errors tonight but I'll double check the c.v. tomorrow.
You can't rely on most recruitment agencies to spot these errors (although the subsidary would probably spot them a mile away, in the dark, with their eyes closed).
I also spoke with an agency I've used (to recruit) and who have a good reputation.
They advised me that the market is very liquid at the moment. It's 48% better than same time last year. With this liquidity recruiters will be reluctant to wait a month for someone. So, I'll call them again around mid-May. With my luck, the market will have collapsed again ...
I printed off my c.v. at work to give to our recruitment company.
(The company has subsidaries in the same office, one of which does recruitment. Being an interim, it's quite acceptable for me to approach them).
Despite the near six month break I'm still too familiar with my c.v. So familiar, in fact, that I completely missed some rather obvious howlers.
These only became apparent when I printed off a copy.
Corrected the errors tonight but I'll double check the c.v. tomorrow.
You can't rely on most recruitment agencies to spot these errors (although the subsidary would probably spot them a mile away, in the dark, with their eyes closed).
I also spoke with an agency I've used (to recruit) and who have a good reputation.
They advised me that the market is very liquid at the moment. It's 48% better than same time last year. With this liquidity recruiters will be reluctant to wait a month for someone. So, I'll call them again around mid-May. With my luck, the market will have collapsed again ...
Monday, April 25, 2005
Urgh
A day at work, a home-made seafood risotto and then an hour spent on Monster.
Didn't see any jobs.
Not true. Saw one which was right up my street (people management within the IT sector) but then a bit further on, and then a bit to the right.
It was in Suffolk.
OK, if I didn't have a job I would have applied. But I do have a job (that thing I do between breakfast and dinner) so I reckon I can afford to be a bit picky for a few more weeks. And picky means working in a metropolitan area, preferably within Western Europe. Oh, and being paid loads. Not too picky, see.
Today I applied for zero jobs and had zero bites.
Didn't see any jobs.
Not true. Saw one which was right up my street (people management within the IT sector) but then a bit further on, and then a bit to the right.
It was in Suffolk.
OK, if I didn't have a job I would have applied. But I do have a job (that thing I do between breakfast and dinner) so I reckon I can afford to be a bit picky for a few more weeks. And picky means working in a metropolitan area, preferably within Western Europe. Oh, and being paid loads. Not too picky, see.
Today I applied for zero jobs and had zero bites.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
I'm in love with a German film star
Actually I'm not although Franka Potenta in Run Lola Run was ...
Anyway, I phoned the agency handling the possible job in Duesseldorf (new readers please note that this is the correct way to spell that city's name if you don't have an umlaut key).
The agent sounded quite enthusiastic but then again he always does, for the last two years.
Seems the client is getting close to finishing their reorganisation and start recruiting big style. Good. And probably they'll recruit for one year fixed term contracts. Even better for me.
Although I'd happily relocate to Germany on a permanent basis a fixed contract gives me a feeling of flexibility. Like, I'd want to return to a rainy, badly constructed country which serves beer in half litres.
I said I'd call him next week. Maybe things are finally improving.
Could any German readers advise me of their language's equivalent of "oink oink flap flap"?
Anyway, I phoned the agency handling the possible job in Duesseldorf (new readers please note that this is the correct way to spell that city's name if you don't have an umlaut key).
The agent sounded quite enthusiastic but then again he always does, for the last two years.
Seems the client is getting close to finishing their reorganisation and start recruiting big style. Good. And probably they'll recruit for one year fixed term contracts. Even better for me.
Although I'd happily relocate to Germany on a permanent basis a fixed contract gives me a feeling of flexibility. Like, I'd want to return to a rainy, badly constructed country which serves beer in half litres.
I said I'd call him next week. Maybe things are finally improving.
Could any German readers advise me of their language's equivalent of "oink oink flap flap"?
Monday, April 18, 2005
I might be back to it.
On Friday I received a speculative email from an agency looking for a contractor project manager to start "ASAP".
I phoned the agent today and advised him that I wouldn't be available until the beginning of June.
Apparently
ASAP=six weeks later in this case.
But he said he'd confirm that they could wait until June.
Meantime I sent him my c.v. which meant I had to update it first (see one of yesterday's entries).
So, today I applied for one job and effectively had one bite.
I phoned the agent today and advised him that I wouldn't be available until the beginning of June.
Apparently
ASAP=six weeks later in this case.
But he said he'd confirm that they could wait until June.
Meantime I sent him my c.v. which meant I had to update it first (see one of yesterday's entries).
So, today I applied for one job and effectively had one bite.
Sunday, April 17, 2005
Another thing ...
... I should do is update my latest c.v.
Currently it says "I am project managing the relocation ...". I now need to change the tense and add a "successfully".
But I've had too much of a weekend.
BTW a month ago I was given the all clear to stop taking some prophylactic medicine which meant I could only drink one pint a day. So, now that I've had my full drinking licence returned I've been indulging - quite a bit for me but by no means binging (not least because I don't have the tolerance).
Currently it says "I am project managing the relocation ...". I now need to change the tense and add a "successfully".
But I've had too much of a weekend.
BTW a month ago I was given the all clear to stop taking some prophylactic medicine which meant I could only drink one pint a day. So, now that I've had my full drinking licence returned I've been indulging - quite a bit for me but by no means binging (not least because I don't have the tolerance).
Seen in The Sunday Times ...
a short article, mainly bullet points about consultants.
Actually I don't think I'm consultant material: I prefer to do and involve others rather than simply advise.
Actually I don't think I'm consultant material: I prefer to do and involve others rather than simply advise.
I'm tireder than you
Look, just because I haven't updated this blog doesn't mean I haven't done any job hunting.
Actually I haven't done any job hunting but I don't think you can conclude that from the lack of updates.
Or maybe you can.
I'd say there was a correlation of around 0.7 although some academics would argue that it should be nearer 0.8.
Anyway, last weekend I moved the IT (voice and data) for my employer's headquarters into their shiny new offices.
It was the culmination of a lot of preparation and it went smoothly. Which is fortunate as failure would be a bit career limiting.
So, last week I was rather tired (implementing an office relocation involves long, stressful hours). I took Friday off although I went to some after work drinks with some colleagues.
I relaxed, perhaps a bit too energetically, yesterday so am resting today.
Now that the office move is completed I can get down to my CCNA study and renewed job hunting efforts. Now is definitely the time if I want to stay in London (which I do) or get a good job in a nice European city.
Actually I haven't done any job hunting but I don't think you can conclude that from the lack of updates.
Or maybe you can.
I'd say there was a correlation of around 0.7 although some academics would argue that it should be nearer 0.8.
Anyway, last weekend I moved the IT (voice and data) for my employer's headquarters into their shiny new offices.
It was the culmination of a lot of preparation and it went smoothly. Which is fortunate as failure would be a bit career limiting.
So, last week I was rather tired (implementing an office relocation involves long, stressful hours). I took Friday off although I went to some after work drinks with some colleagues.
I relaxed, perhaps a bit too energetically, yesterday so am resting today.
Now that the office move is completed I can get down to my CCNA study and renewed job hunting efforts. Now is definitely the time if I want to stay in London (which I do) or get a good job in a nice European city.
Sunday, March 20, 2005
Somewhere
A friend recently had an interview there.
And last week my hairdresser (from Singapore) suggested I look for my next job there.
"There" being Abu Dubai.
So, I check out the CIA's world fact book not least to find out exactly where it is. Although I'm an old Middle-East hand when I was there it was still part of the British Empire and I wasn't in to looking at maps (still not really).
I really hoped the CIA would have the low-down on the terrorist threat in that region but I guess it's not their strongpoint.
Moving on I then looked at Transparency International's corruption list. The UAE is the 37th least corrupt county. To put this in perpective, Finland is the least, the UK is the 11th, Germany the 16th, USA 18th ... hey, you can read the rest yourselves.
One thing I did gather from the CIA was that the UAE doesn't do democracy.
Felt like I could do with a bit more information so I visited the UK's foreign office for advice about the place.
Great. Not only is there a "high risk" of terrorism but drinking alcohol is illegal, well at least in public.
It's important for me to get some perspective on this terrorism-threat thing.
After all I currently live in London which is at threat, not only from Al-Queda type terrorists but also Irish ones.
A link from the FCO's site takes me to the Australian equivalent. Their advice is similar.
I also look at the US Department of State's travel advice. Maybe they know a bit more about terrorism than their CIA chums.
All these sites mention that there is a high risk of terrorism there but none advise against, or ban travel. The US's DoS site goes into more detail than the others. Advice which makes it less appealing.
Another thing I learnt: Abu Dubai is part of the Gulf States, not the Middle East (although Aussies don't seem to make the distinction.
And last week my hairdresser (from Singapore) suggested I look for my next job there.
"There" being Abu Dubai.
So, I check out the CIA's world fact book not least to find out exactly where it is. Although I'm an old Middle-East hand when I was there it was still part of the British Empire and I wasn't in to looking at maps (still not really).
I really hoped the CIA would have the low-down on the terrorist threat in that region but I guess it's not their strongpoint.
Moving on I then looked at Transparency International's corruption list. The UAE is the 37th least corrupt county. To put this in perpective, Finland is the least, the UK is the 11th, Germany the 16th, USA 18th ... hey, you can read the rest yourselves.
One thing I did gather from the CIA was that the UAE doesn't do democracy.
Felt like I could do with a bit more information so I visited the UK's foreign office for advice about the place.
Great. Not only is there a "high risk" of terrorism but drinking alcohol is illegal, well at least in public.
It's important for me to get some perspective on this terrorism-threat thing.
After all I currently live in London which is at threat, not only from Al-Queda type terrorists but also Irish ones.
A link from the FCO's site takes me to the Australian equivalent. Their advice is similar.
I also look at the US Department of State's travel advice. Maybe they know a bit more about terrorism than their CIA chums.
All these sites mention that there is a high risk of terrorism there but none advise against, or ban travel. The US's DoS site goes into more detail than the others. Advice which makes it less appealing.
Another thing I learnt: Abu Dubai is part of the Gulf States, not the Middle East (although Aussies don't seem to make the distinction.
Sunday, March 13, 2005
Dismal
On a grey Sunday I got down to looking at the Job Site and job Monster.
Once again, after about a four months' break.
I actually managed to apply to two jobs. One I applied for in October but the ad was repeated in Monster.
The other job was marked as urgent. Which is a problem as I'm not immediately available (I'm committed till the end of May). But
interest in me + general pfaffing in recruitment = worthwhile applying now
We'll see what happens.
Another problem: I have to give notice to break the lease on my flat in mid-April else I have to rent it for another six months.
My job ends in May. And I can only really start job-hunting in earnest near the end of April.
So, it's going to become a very fraught time.
Oh, and to keep this flat, I'll need another very high paying job, which is a bit rare these days in IT.
Still, it'll make it an interesting couple of months.
Once again, after about a four months' break.
I actually managed to apply to two jobs. One I applied for in October but the ad was repeated in Monster.
The other job was marked as urgent. Which is a problem as I'm not immediately available (I'm committed till the end of May). But
interest in me + general pfaffing in recruitment = worthwhile applying now
We'll see what happens.
Another problem: I have to give notice to break the lease on my flat in mid-April else I have to rent it for another six months.
My job ends in May. And I can only really start job-hunting in earnest near the end of April.
So, it's going to become a very fraught time.
Oh, and to keep this flat, I'll need another very high paying job, which is a bit rare these days in IT.
Still, it'll make it an interesting couple of months.
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
It gets worse ...
before it gets worse.
A bit of an illness has set me back a week. I'm still recovering and not really able to do anything on the job hunting front but am now able to go back to work.
A bit of an illness has set me back a week. I'm still recovering and not really able to do anything on the job hunting front but am now able to go back to work.
Saturday, February 26, 2005
Mis-start
I rose quite early today, not much later than I do during the working week.
This would give me time to do some job hunting, some studying and work on the business venture (I should be having a conferene call later this evening).
Didn't have a totally clean shave though. The reason was I'd dropped my electric razor. Although there was no noticeable damage it would no longer work.
So I rushed into Oxford Street and bought a new one. I also bought a ladle, to give my life some sort of meaning.
This would give me time to do some job hunting, some studying and work on the business venture (I should be having a conferene call later this evening).
Didn't have a totally clean shave though. The reason was I'd dropped my electric razor. Although there was no noticeable damage it would no longer work.
So I rushed into Oxford Street and bought a new one. I also bought a ladle, to give my life some sort of meaning.
Friday, February 25, 2005
Another Friday
And apart from an interview which was postponed I haven't done much on the job searching front.
If you want excuses here are two:
If you want excuses here are two:
- another busy week at work, there isn't any other type
- I've had a throat infection which has worn me down.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
No worries
I was emailed today by the agency that the meeting (I never call it an interview) tomorrow has to be postponed. Maybe the interviewer had heard that the hotel had moved the sofa in the foyer.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Notification
I mentioned to my boss, in an email, that I wanted to take a long lunch on Friday.
She replied that this was okay as long as it wasn't for an interview!
Ah.
I went over to chat with her and stressed that I was committed to this assignment until it finishes at the end of May. I also advised her that the interview is a bit of a long shot as I applied for the job over 18 months ago.
I then reiterated that I wouldn't quit this assignment prematurely.
Absolutely. Apart from the fact that a friend recommended me for this job (one who also knows me professionally) this is an interim assignment and that's the deal. So, there's no question of me leaving prematurely unless it was in both sides' interest. Which I doubt.
She replied that this was okay as long as it wasn't for an interview!
Ah.
I went over to chat with her and stressed that I was committed to this assignment until it finishes at the end of May. I also advised her that the interview is a bit of a long shot as I applied for the job over 18 months ago.
I then reiterated that I wouldn't quit this assignment prematurely.
Absolutely. Apart from the fact that a friend recommended me for this job (one who also knows me professionally) this is an interim assignment and that's the deal. So, there's no question of me leaving prematurely unless it was in both sides' interest. Which I doubt.
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