For a moment I felt that perhaps it wasn't a bank holiday today after all - there were a lot of jobs advertised and not just European ones.
But it wasn't and I couldn't find any job worth applying to.
Tomorrow I'll look a bit in the morning them I'm off to Tallinn for a couple of days.
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.
Monday, August 29, 2005
Sunday, August 28, 2005
On-line apps
I normally start job hunting on Sunday afternoons or evenings.
Yet tomorrow is a bank holiday.
Nevertheless, it might not be a bank holiday in some European countries. In the UK we get the view that the Europeans (see a previous entry to understand that just because we're in the EU doesn't mean we're actually Europeans - for a start, we fight better) take every possible opportunity to have a holiday and live off our contribution to the super-state.
It's been a while since I had to know countries' bank holidays for professional reasons. Still, I can guess that the Bavarians are on holiday. They're probably also on rafts as well at the moment.
So, I looked through the Monster job site. And found a job to which I could apply. In Brussels. I've been to Brussels a few times. On the whole a nice place.
The food is much better than French cuisine as it's easy on the garlic. Don't argue with me on this: the French cook amazing food but then overpower it with garlic. What is the point? Oh and I'm very aware that normal, everyday French food isn't that splendid with or without garlic. Plus they don't cook rheindeer so why are they criticizing the Finnish? Or indeed the British who are now renowned for having the best cooking on Earth? And why were the leaders of Germany and Russia smirking with Chirac? It's not like their food is any good (and I have eated at some very good - read expensive - German restaraunts). Sorry, I started.
So, Brussels would be good to work in.
The problem is that the agency wanted an on-line application. On Monster! A year or so ago I tried this and gave up the will to live.
So, I went to the agency's web site and there was a button to click for their vacancies. Great. I clicked it. This took me back to the Monster site. Aaah.
I got round this by finding a generic email address for the agency and sending an email marked FAO the intended receipient.
Yet tomorrow is a bank holiday.
Nevertheless, it might not be a bank holiday in some European countries. In the UK we get the view that the Europeans (see a previous entry to understand that just because we're in the EU doesn't mean we're actually Europeans - for a start, we fight better) take every possible opportunity to have a holiday and live off our contribution to the super-state.
It's been a while since I had to know countries' bank holidays for professional reasons. Still, I can guess that the Bavarians are on holiday. They're probably also on rafts as well at the moment.
So, I looked through the Monster job site. And found a job to which I could apply. In Brussels. I've been to Brussels a few times. On the whole a nice place.
The food is much better than French cuisine as it's easy on the garlic. Don't argue with me on this: the French cook amazing food but then overpower it with garlic. What is the point? Oh and I'm very aware that normal, everyday French food isn't that splendid with or without garlic. Plus they don't cook rheindeer so why are they criticizing the Finnish? Or indeed the British who are now renowned for having the best cooking on Earth? And why were the leaders of Germany and Russia smirking with Chirac? It's not like their food is any good (and I have eated at some very good - read expensive - German restaraunts). Sorry, I started.
So, Brussels would be good to work in.
The problem is that the agency wanted an on-line application. On Monster! A year or so ago I tried this and gave up the will to live.
So, I went to the agency's web site and there was a button to click for their vacancies. Great. I clicked it. This took me back to the Monster site. Aaah.
I got round this by finding a generic email address for the agency and sending an email marked FAO the intended receipient.
Round up
Last week I applied for 15 jobs.
From these I received two bites. Although one of them was for a job which has probably gone on hold.
So, that was a good weekend. Quite good indeed when you consider it was right next to a bank holiday. I'm hoping next week will be flatter. It certainly will, in fact, as Monday is a bank holiday and Tuesday and Wednesday is an "ultimate job hunting blog" holiday in Tallinn.
Incidentally there's a company with offices in Tallinn (and elsewhere). Seems to be a rather good company in fact. You may even have heard of them.
They may be getting my c.v. soon. Anyway, my upcoming visit should focus on not job hunting but it should give me a feel for the place. And, before I apply, I should read their forum web site a bit more (it's that type of company).
From these I received two bites. Although one of them was for a job which has probably gone on hold.
So, that was a good weekend. Quite good indeed when you consider it was right next to a bank holiday. I'm hoping next week will be flatter. It certainly will, in fact, as Monday is a bank holiday and Tuesday and Wednesday is an "ultimate job hunting blog" holiday in Tallinn.
Incidentally there's a company with offices in Tallinn (and elsewhere). Seems to be a rather good company in fact. You may even have heard of them.
They may be getting my c.v. soon. Anyway, my upcoming visit should focus on not job hunting but it should give me a feel for the place. And, before I apply, I should read their forum web site a bit more (it's that type of company).
Another bite
I'm writing this on Sunday as I couldn't be bothered (read "arsed") to update this blog yesterday or Friday.
Hey, it's a long bank holiday weekend and even the jobless need to take a break.
Anyway, on Friday I applied for three jobs.
In the afternoon I made my usual phone calls to the agents. Well, two of them, the third was a job which didn't really appeal. I applied because my background ticked all the boxes. It's the wrong attitude, I know, but I didn't really want to pursue it. So I decided to go with the flow. If they phone me then I'll take it from there.
Where were we? Oh, yes. The first agency I phoned liked the sound of me but said that the job had gone on hold.
The second agency I phoned also like the sound of me (I do have that sort of voice actually, "you may not recognise my accent, it's called 'Educated'").
They told me the details of the job and said they'd put my name forward.
Great, that's another bite. Two bites in one week.
The problem?
It was the same job as the one being advertised by the first agency! I know it was the same job as the agencies simply retyped their client's brief into their adverts.
Probably one agency had heard that the job had gone on hold and the other hadn't. Or one agency was lying - does happen you know.
Hey, it's a long bank holiday weekend and even the jobless need to take a break.
Anyway, on Friday I applied for three jobs.
In the afternoon I made my usual phone calls to the agents. Well, two of them, the third was a job which didn't really appeal. I applied because my background ticked all the boxes. It's the wrong attitude, I know, but I didn't really want to pursue it. So I decided to go with the flow. If they phone me then I'll take it from there.
Where were we? Oh, yes. The first agency I phoned liked the sound of me but said that the job had gone on hold.
The second agency I phoned also like the sound of me (I do have that sort of voice actually, "you may not recognise my accent, it's called 'Educated'").
They told me the details of the job and said they'd put my name forward.
Great, that's another bite. Two bites in one week.
The problem?
It was the same job as the one being advertised by the first agency! I know it was the same job as the agencies simply retyped their client's brief into their adverts.
Probably one agency had heard that the job had gone on hold and the other hadn't. Or one agency was lying - does happen you know.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Abnormally tired
For some reason I feel really sleep deprived. Don't know why though.
It made wading through thousands of job adverts even more of a trawl.
Nevertheless I managed to apply for two jobs today.
Next week I'm going to Tallinn for some more R and R (as readers will know, I was going to fly over when I was in Helsinki but got bogged down with business building activities). There's a certain company, getting rather well known, who have offices there. They also have offices in London and I think I should send them my c.v.
But not today as I'm far too tired. I would need to really work on my c.v. to make it look right for them and I'd balls it up today.
Rather disappointingly I didn't receive any phone calls today - no bites. Oh well.
It made wading through thousands of job adverts even more of a trawl.
Nevertheless I managed to apply for two jobs today.
Next week I'm going to Tallinn for some more R and R (as readers will know, I was going to fly over when I was in Helsinki but got bogged down with business building activities). There's a certain company, getting rather well known, who have offices there. They also have offices in London and I think I should send them my c.v.
But not today as I'm far too tired. I would need to really work on my c.v. to make it look right for them and I'd balls it up today.
Rather disappointingly I didn't receive any phone calls today - no bites. Oh well.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Back to normal
Well, a bit.
Having tasted the delights of Munich (well, I drank some bier) I really don't want to apply for hum-drum jobs in hum-drum parts of England (that is, most of it).
Nevertheless, I'm already in an ueber-hum-drum part of England and aren't even doing a hum-drum job.
Yesterday the agency for the Munich job phoned again just to have a better chat (when I called her on Friday she was on a mobile and it wasn't too clear).
We chatted about the company, she said she almost told the company to "bugger off" when she heard the result (this was in fluent English with a Dutch, I think, accent).
I'm really glad she called. So many other agencies don't call once they can't get a commission out of you. When I'm in a job, and therefore recruiting, I'll be sure to use her agency when I'm looking for staff - if at all possible.
She's going to look out for other jobs in Europe for me and I'll call her in a couple of weeks.
It is, however, possibly just as well I didn't get the job as I'd probably have to buy a wet suit - a lot of Bavaria is underwater at the moment.
I did also talk to an English woman from another agency who was advertising for PMs in Munich and Austria (also a bit soggy I understand). The job in Munich was for the same company but she'll consider me for other jobs in that city. Plus, she's putting my details forward for her client in Austria.
This just goes to show that you should always phone.
Today was even better in that I applied for five jobs - my weekly total. In fact I've already applied for a total of 10 jobs this week and I'm only half-way through it.
Having tasted the delights of Munich (well, I drank some bier) I really don't want to apply for hum-drum jobs in hum-drum parts of England (that is, most of it).
Nevertheless, I'm already in an ueber-hum-drum part of England and aren't even doing a hum-drum job.
Yesterday the agency for the Munich job phoned again just to have a better chat (when I called her on Friday she was on a mobile and it wasn't too clear).
We chatted about the company, she said she almost told the company to "bugger off" when she heard the result (this was in fluent English with a Dutch, I think, accent).
I'm really glad she called. So many other agencies don't call once they can't get a commission out of you. When I'm in a job, and therefore recruiting, I'll be sure to use her agency when I'm looking for staff - if at all possible.
She's going to look out for other jobs in Europe for me and I'll call her in a couple of weeks.
It is, however, possibly just as well I didn't get the job as I'd probably have to buy a wet suit - a lot of Bavaria is underwater at the moment.
I did also talk to an English woman from another agency who was advertising for PMs in Munich and Austria (also a bit soggy I understand). The job in Munich was for the same company but she'll consider me for other jobs in that city. Plus, she's putting my details forward for her client in Austria.
This just goes to show that you should always phone.
Today was even better in that I applied for five jobs - my weekly total. In fact I've already applied for a total of 10 jobs this week and I'm only half-way through it.
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Munich
Well that was a fucking waste of make-up.
On Wednesday I got up at 5am which is far, far too early for me.
It was only once I was on the 6am train that I shaved (using a lavatory, rather than just sitting there on a passenger seat in case you wondered - these aren't too bad in the mornings).
Got to Gatwick in comfortable time to get the 9am flight to Munich. NB, this flight left a bit late.
Still, I had plenty of contingency time.
Once I landed at Munich there was a big queue to get through passport control. I've been to Germany enough times to know that their efficiency is a bit mythical.
Because I know Munich rather well I took the S-bahn (local train service) to the central station. I felt I was running out of time to check into the hotel before the interview so I put my umbrella and small travel bag in a left-luggage locker. Compare and contrast with London where you just can't do those sorts of things. (Also, whilst I was in Munich I didn't once feel worried that an armed policeman - they're all armed - would shoot me in the head for walking too quickly in an underground station).
From the central station I took a taxi to the office, about a mile further than where I used to have a flat. Gosh, German taxis are cheap.
And quick.
Turns out I could have checked in the hotel first. Maybe had a shower as well. And indeed something to eat.
Anyway, I waited outside the office for almost an hour. Then, 10 minutes before 3pm (German time) I went in.
Got to the third floor and did something that would amaze anyone who knows me from Germany. I spoke, in German (I think) - to the receptionist, telling her who I was, why I was there, and who I wanted to see. And, this is the big bit, she understood me (I think).
[Everyone who knows me from my time in Germany know that I understand German reasonably well but also know that I don't have the world's best Bavarian dialect - spot the understatement.]
After that I wasn't required to speak in German again whilst I was at their offices. Dank Gott.
Had the interview which went well, although I didn't feel I had it in the bag.
In the taxi back to the central station I phoned and spoke with the agency. The agent was impressed that the interviewers had given me their business cards and discussed salary and starting date. None of her other candidates had had that sort of behaviour when they went there.
The hotel was a tube stop away from the central station in an area called Sendlinger Tor. I hadn't been around there before, despite working out of Munich for a year, and I found it was rather nice.
I also found, however, that the work "okay" was formed just to describe the hotel I'd been booked into. Still, it was okay.
Then went out to a bier garden and met a bunch of people I knew in the city. That was nice. I also had some Hofbraeu. Now, I have Hofbraeu in England but I found, from the first sip, that it was much stronger in Munich. And actually, it wasn't really a sip either. Plus it wasn't really "some Hofbraeu". That's because in Munich they have heterosexuall measures for beer so I had two litres of the stuff.
I also had some Schweinhaxen which was good, except I haven't eaten Bavarian food for a long time, so it wasn't good at all.
The next morning I had German breakfast in the hotel which was "okay". Then I had the rest of the day (well, until mid-afternoon) to explore the city.
I went into one of their big department stores to buy some flight socks. I'd accidentally left one of my two pairs of these socks in Finland on my recent trip there. And some batteries as my rechargeable ones had stopped working.
I drank some tea and went window shopping around Sendlinger Tor. I also ate some rather nice Thai food for lunch - I wasn't going to eat stodgy Bavarian food again, for a while.
I found that I could just about understand everything that Germans were saying to me. I also found that as I got more practice, my own spoken German improved. To the point where the Germans could undertand me. Almost.
Before 3pm I'd got fed up though. After all, I know the city really well so "having the city to myself" wasn't really a big deal. I made my way to airport and eventually got back home without adventure.
As with my trip to Finland I've waited but there's been no problems so I can't contribute anything to Das Journal des Unfalls bei Muenchener-Besuch.
Couple of days later I phoned the agency. She had just heard from the client: they weren't going to recruit me.
On Wednesday I got up at 5am which is far, far too early for me.
It was only once I was on the 6am train that I shaved (using a lavatory, rather than just sitting there on a passenger seat in case you wondered - these aren't too bad in the mornings).
Got to Gatwick in comfortable time to get the 9am flight to Munich. NB, this flight left a bit late.
Still, I had plenty of contingency time.
Once I landed at Munich there was a big queue to get through passport control. I've been to Germany enough times to know that their efficiency is a bit mythical.
Because I know Munich rather well I took the S-bahn (local train service) to the central station. I felt I was running out of time to check into the hotel before the interview so I put my umbrella and small travel bag in a left-luggage locker. Compare and contrast with London where you just can't do those sorts of things. (Also, whilst I was in Munich I didn't once feel worried that an armed policeman - they're all armed - would shoot me in the head for walking too quickly in an underground station).
From the central station I took a taxi to the office, about a mile further than where I used to have a flat. Gosh, German taxis are cheap.
And quick.
Turns out I could have checked in the hotel first. Maybe had a shower as well. And indeed something to eat.
Anyway, I waited outside the office for almost an hour. Then, 10 minutes before 3pm (German time) I went in.
Got to the third floor and did something that would amaze anyone who knows me from Germany. I spoke, in German (I think) - to the receptionist, telling her who I was, why I was there, and who I wanted to see. And, this is the big bit, she understood me (I think).
[Everyone who knows me from my time in Germany know that I understand German reasonably well but also know that I don't have the world's best Bavarian dialect - spot the understatement.]
After that I wasn't required to speak in German again whilst I was at their offices. Dank Gott.
Had the interview which went well, although I didn't feel I had it in the bag.
In the taxi back to the central station I phoned and spoke with the agency. The agent was impressed that the interviewers had given me their business cards and discussed salary and starting date. None of her other candidates had had that sort of behaviour when they went there.
The hotel was a tube stop away from the central station in an area called Sendlinger Tor. I hadn't been around there before, despite working out of Munich for a year, and I found it was rather nice.
I also found, however, that the work "okay" was formed just to describe the hotel I'd been booked into. Still, it was okay.
Then went out to a bier garden and met a bunch of people I knew in the city. That was nice. I also had some Hofbraeu. Now, I have Hofbraeu in England but I found, from the first sip, that it was much stronger in Munich. And actually, it wasn't really a sip either. Plus it wasn't really "some Hofbraeu". That's because in Munich they have heterosexuall measures for beer so I had two litres of the stuff.
I also had some Schweinhaxen which was good, except I haven't eaten Bavarian food for a long time, so it wasn't good at all.
The next morning I had German breakfast in the hotel which was "okay". Then I had the rest of the day (well, until mid-afternoon) to explore the city.
I went into one of their big department stores to buy some flight socks. I'd accidentally left one of my two pairs of these socks in Finland on my recent trip there. And some batteries as my rechargeable ones had stopped working.
I drank some tea and went window shopping around Sendlinger Tor. I also ate some rather nice Thai food for lunch - I wasn't going to eat stodgy Bavarian food again, for a while.
I found that I could just about understand everything that Germans were saying to me. I also found that as I got more practice, my own spoken German improved. To the point where the Germans could undertand me. Almost.
Before 3pm I'd got fed up though. After all, I know the city really well so "having the city to myself" wasn't really a big deal. I made my way to airport and eventually got back home without adventure.
As with my trip to Finland I've waited but there's been no problems so I can't contribute anything to Das Journal des Unfalls bei Muenchener-Besuch.
Couple of days later I phoned the agency. She had just heard from the client: they weren't going to recruit me.
Monday, August 15, 2005
Warnings
NSFW
That's right, this site is Not Safe For Work. If you're caught reading this site at work your boss should sack you. In fact, your boss should be sacked as well for have such an indisciplined workforce and his, or her, job should be given to me.
I'm not writing a blog about looking for a job so that's it's read by people at work.
18+
Because of the language in this blog it should be only read by people above the age of 18 years.
However, I understand that today's youngsters can't read or write anyway, so I don't think there's any danger of this prohibition being breached.
Browser
It's come to my attention that this blog may not appear very well in Internet Explorer.
Really?
Tough. Get a real browser like Firefox. In fact, if you're using Internet Explorer go away, I don't think I want you to read my blog site anyway.
Comments
All pleasant, encouraging comments are welcomed.
However, some companies are posting comments which are really just spam. No readers of this site would be taken in by them, would they. Well, if you are taken in by them tough again, nothing to do with me.
Vitriol
If you need more of this kind of vitriol see Maddox.
That's right, this site is Not Safe For Work. If you're caught reading this site at work your boss should sack you. In fact, your boss should be sacked as well for have such an indisciplined workforce and his, or her, job should be given to me.
I'm not writing a blog about looking for a job so that's it's read by people at work.
18+
Because of the language in this blog it should be only read by people above the age of 18 years.
However, I understand that today's youngsters can't read or write anyway, so I don't think there's any danger of this prohibition being breached.
Browser
It's come to my attention that this blog may not appear very well in Internet Explorer.
Really?
Tough. Get a real browser like Firefox. In fact, if you're using Internet Explorer go away, I don't think I want you to read my blog site anyway.
Comments
All pleasant, encouraging comments are welcomed.
However, some companies are posting comments which are really just spam. No readers of this site would be taken in by them, would they. Well, if you are taken in by them tough again, nothing to do with me.
Vitriol
If you need more of this kind of vitriol see Maddox.
Briefly
Today
I spent the morning trawling for jobs but didn't find any to which I could (or wanted to) apply.
In the afternoon I went to Brighton (an hour away) for a haircut.
Well, it is a Monday, which tends to be quiet these days.
It'll also be quiet tomorrow because I'll be spending the day getting ready for the interview on Wednesday. OK, going to Munich isn't a big deal (I used to fly back to Munich many times when I was based there) but I'll need to get a few things sorted out.
Sunday
Managed to squeeze out one job application.
Apart from working on the business (don't bother seeing other blog, I haven't updated it even though a lot is happening) I read up about things for the interview on Wednesday.
As the job is project managing developers I looked up a few things relating to this. Also, I looked at a few notes I made from BCS seminars two years ago. At that time, I was living in London and un-employed so became a bit of a seminar-junky. I even attended a seminar on RUP and UML. At the time it didn't have much relation to my professional interests. But for this job in Munich they might be quite relevant.
From the BCS web site I found the speaker's notes. Very useful. The RUP methodology fits well with PRINCE 2 (I'm a practitioner). I can see how other methodologies (or models, such as the V-model) can also be managed. As a result I don't feel at all phased about managing development projects.
I spent the morning trawling for jobs but didn't find any to which I could (or wanted to) apply.
In the afternoon I went to Brighton (an hour away) for a haircut.
Well, it is a Monday, which tends to be quiet these days.
It'll also be quiet tomorrow because I'll be spending the day getting ready for the interview on Wednesday. OK, going to Munich isn't a big deal (I used to fly back to Munich many times when I was based there) but I'll need to get a few things sorted out.
Sunday
Managed to squeeze out one job application.
Apart from working on the business (don't bother seeing other blog, I haven't updated it even though a lot is happening) I read up about things for the interview on Wednesday.
As the job is project managing developers I looked up a few things relating to this. Also, I looked at a few notes I made from BCS seminars two years ago. At that time, I was living in London and un-employed so became a bit of a seminar-junky. I even attended a seminar on RUP and UML. At the time it didn't have much relation to my professional interests. But for this job in Munich they might be quite relevant.
From the BCS web site I found the speaker's notes. Very useful. The RUP methodology fits well with PRINCE 2 (I'm a practitioner). I can see how other methodologies (or models, such as the V-model) can also be managed. As a result I don't feel at all phased about managing development projects.
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Made it
Today I applied for one job.
Even though it required strong experience in relocation management, plus banking, I didn't pursue it with a phone call.
I know, I know, I should. But I don't want to get into a stand-off between the Munich job and another job. Gosh, I normally reserve this level of enthusiasm for chocolate cake and blondes.
Although I didn't phone any agencies one did phone me. That's another bite this week not triggered from an application. I'll actually send my updated c.v. on Sunday. This tail-end cold business is tiring me out plus I had to do some business development work as well today.
Oh, and I booked a haircut for Monday.
I can't account for all my time today as a bit of this afternoon seems to have been spent in a near coma. Just so tired.
Still I made it to the end of the week with a respectable seven applications and two bites. And that was despite not hunting for a day (whilst in London) and suffering a fearsome cold/cough.
Even though it required strong experience in relocation management, plus banking, I didn't pursue it with a phone call.
I know, I know, I should. But I don't want to get into a stand-off between the Munich job and another job. Gosh, I normally reserve this level of enthusiasm for chocolate cake and blondes.
Although I didn't phone any agencies one did phone me. That's another bite this week not triggered from an application. I'll actually send my updated c.v. on Sunday. This tail-end cold business is tiring me out plus I had to do some business development work as well today.
Oh, and I booked a haircut for Monday.
I can't account for all my time today as a bit of this afternoon seems to have been spent in a near coma. Just so tired.
Still I made it to the end of the week with a respectable seven applications and two bites. And that was despite not hunting for a day (whilst in London) and suffering a fearsome cold/cough.
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Improvement
Despite being quite tired (not just from yesterday's trip but also from the worst cold in medical history) I managed to shoot off four applications today. My total for this week is currently six applications and I was doubting I would even hit my weekly target by tomorrow.
Getting Things Done
I've read a lot about this book on various blog sites. So, when I was in London yesterday I bought a copy.
I'll let you know what I think when I get round to reading it.
I'll let you know what I think when I get round to reading it.
Choppped
I know a lot of readers will be disappointed that I didn't take a helicopter flight from Helsinki to Tallinn whilst I was over in Finland last week.
Probably just as well.
Probably just as well.
Sorted
Although I had a definite interview time for Munich sorted out yesterday, this morning I double checked.
I was concerned that something may have happened to change the date, and as my email system was a bit flaky yesterday I might not have received the message.
I also looked at BA, Lufthansa and Expedia web sites for good deals. They were all going to be close to £200.
But I then looked at lastminute.com. By chosing a package (fly out Wednesday, return Thursday and stay overnight in a hotel) it was much cheaper than a flight on its own. In fact it comes very close to the €250 subsidy. Plus I get a night in Munich.
It's a bit daft that these sorts of packages are cheaper than flights only.
Anyway, now I'm booked. Even better I'll be flying from Gatwick rather than Heathrow which is much better for me (even when BA aren't on strike).
I was concerned that something may have happened to change the date, and as my email system was a bit flaky yesterday I might not have received the message.
I also looked at BA, Lufthansa and Expedia web sites for good deals. They were all going to be close to £200.
But I then looked at lastminute.com. By chosing a package (fly out Wednesday, return Thursday and stay overnight in a hotel) it was much cheaper than a flight on its own. In fact it comes very close to the €250 subsidy. Plus I get a night in Munich.
It's a bit daft that these sorts of packages are cheaper than flights only.
Anyway, now I'm booked. Even better I'll be flying from Gatwick rather than Heathrow which is much better for me (even when BA aren't on strike).
Manners
Gosh, I don't know, I write about how rude it is for agencies to call me so early in the morning but it's just not getting through.
When I woke up this morning an agency had already left a message on my mobile.
I called them back. During the conversation they asked how the weather was where I was living. I gave a non-committal, non-enthusiastic answer. Well, I didn't want to say I hadn't even got out of bed let alone drawn back the curtains.
The agent was calling about a PM role near Amsterdam. A permanent job paying good money (for Europe) and providing accommodation.
Now, the Munich job is the first job in a long time where I've felt great enthusiasm (or any, really). I so want it.
But there shouldn't be a conflict. Their first interview with this Dutch company would be over the phone. Any subsequent interview would be in Holland. I strongly doubt they would be able to get all that together my Wednesday.
But until I get a job I need to look for a job. And this Dutch job sounded good. So, I sent him two c.v.s: my usual one and a PM-focussed, more traditional one. He can chose which one to send.
What was nice about this call was that I'd last spoken to the agency (and it was another colleague in the agency) in September. A bite, without needing an application.
When I woke up this morning an agency had already left a message on my mobile.
I called them back. During the conversation they asked how the weather was where I was living. I gave a non-committal, non-enthusiastic answer. Well, I didn't want to say I hadn't even got out of bed let alone drawn back the curtains.
The agent was calling about a PM role near Amsterdam. A permanent job paying good money (for Europe) and providing accommodation.
Now, the Munich job is the first job in a long time where I've felt great enthusiasm (or any, really). I so want it.
But there shouldn't be a conflict. Their first interview with this Dutch company would be over the phone. Any subsequent interview would be in Holland. I strongly doubt they would be able to get all that together my Wednesday.
But until I get a job I need to look for a job. And this Dutch job sounded good. So, I sent him two c.v.s: my usual one and a PM-focussed, more traditional one. He can chose which one to send.
What was nice about this call was that I'd last spoken to the agency (and it was another colleague in the agency) in September. A bite, without needing an application.
Day off
Yesterday was a day-off.
A day-off from job hunting anyway.
I had to do something in the morning in London. Then I met up with friends in the afternoon, had a meal then managed to get a 21:15 train and got back home two hours later.
Whilst I was travelling to London the agency handling the possible job in Munich called. They want to see me!
Great news. They were also willing to subsidise my travel costs to €250 which is very decent of them.
Normally my Palm Pilot can browse the internet using my mobile phone (connected over Bluetooth). But in recent weeks it's stopped working for some reason. The rest of the Palm works fine so I haven't been bothered.
So, after dealing with my morning task I ducked into an internet cafe. The first one was very poor, only allowing one browser session. But I need two!
So, I raced over to an easyInternet cafe (or whatever it's called). I then tried the www.logmein.com service. This way I can remotely takeover my laptop at home.
However, co-incidentally, my mail redirection service seemed to have started running very slowly. I normally get the LogMeIn one-time passcodes emailed to me within seconds. Yesterday, however, they weren't getting to me so I couldn't use the service.
I looked at various airline websites and phoned back the agency to tell them that just about anytime next week would be fine. After another phone call we agreed an afternoon time on Wednesday next week.
In fact, getting a flight next week wouldn't be a cheap process - it's the peak of the season and I don't live near enough to airports to take advantage of low-cost airlines.
A day-off from job hunting anyway.
I had to do something in the morning in London. Then I met up with friends in the afternoon, had a meal then managed to get a 21:15 train and got back home two hours later.
Whilst I was travelling to London the agency handling the possible job in Munich called. They want to see me!
Great news. They were also willing to subsidise my travel costs to €250 which is very decent of them.
Normally my Palm Pilot can browse the internet using my mobile phone (connected over Bluetooth). But in recent weeks it's stopped working for some reason. The rest of the Palm works fine so I haven't been bothered.
So, after dealing with my morning task I ducked into an internet cafe. The first one was very poor, only allowing one browser session. But I need two!
So, I raced over to an easyInternet cafe (or whatever it's called). I then tried the www.logmein.com service. This way I can remotely takeover my laptop at home.
However, co-incidentally, my mail redirection service seemed to have started running very slowly. I normally get the LogMeIn one-time passcodes emailed to me within seconds. Yesterday, however, they weren't getting to me so I couldn't use the service.
I looked at various airline websites and phoned back the agency to tell them that just about anytime next week would be fine. After another phone call we agreed an afternoon time on Wednesday next week.
In fact, getting a flight next week wouldn't be a cheap process - it's the peak of the season and I don't live near enough to airports to take advantage of low-cost airlines.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Wading
Weighted down with the tail-end of a nasty cold (tail-ends, I find, are the worst) I trawled through the job sites.
I managed to apply for one job. In the afternoon I phoned them up and they told me the rate. Well below my getting-out-of-bed rate.
I also phoned the agency in Amsterdam who'd arranged the telephone interview with company in Munich. I had emailed them yesterday and there wasn't anything else to add but I felt I should relay my enthusiasm for the job. Which is totally sincere. In fact, I'll be really hacked off (that's hacked with a capital P) if I don't get the next interview or the job with them.
It's going to be a quiet week on the job hunting front. But I'm too knackered to care. And tomorrow I'll probably be going to London on some private business then seeing a friend who's over from Spain. So, I won't be applying, or even looking, for jobs tomorrow.
I managed to apply for one job. In the afternoon I phoned them up and they told me the rate. Well below my getting-out-of-bed rate.
I also phoned the agency in Amsterdam who'd arranged the telephone interview with company in Munich. I had emailed them yesterday and there wasn't anything else to add but I felt I should relay my enthusiasm for the job. Which is totally sincere. In fact, I'll be really hacked off (that's hacked with a capital P) if I don't get the next interview or the job with them.
It's going to be a quiet week on the job hunting front. But I'm too knackered to care. And tomorrow I'll probably be going to London on some private business then seeing a friend who's over from Spain. So, I won't be applying, or even looking, for jobs tomorrow.
Monday, August 08, 2005
Probably a good start
Today I managed to apply for one job. I phoned them up later and they carefully explained why I was in no way suitable.
However I also phoned the agency to whom I sent my c.v. on Friday. They agreed to send my details to their client. A bite.
Also, I had my telephone interview for the job in Munich. It sounds like it went really well, despite me having quite a bad cough/cold. Hopefully they'll progress me to the next step. An on-site interview.
I was a bit surprised that it did go so well. They're looking for someone to project manage developers. This is not something I've done before but it seems I demonstrated sufficient general technical experience as well as transferable skills. Plus I have actually worked with developers before.
I've been thinking about the job the whole weekend and became quite enthusiastic. There may have been that visualisation thing: you start imagining the job in more and more detail and that somehow comes across. Of course, it means greater disappointment if I don't get it, especially if I don't even get to a face-to-face interview.
I guess you can either be enthusiastic or stoical.
However I also phoned the agency to whom I sent my c.v. on Friday. They agreed to send my details to their client. A bite.
Also, I had my telephone interview for the job in Munich. It sounds like it went really well, despite me having quite a bad cough/cold. Hopefully they'll progress me to the next step. An on-site interview.
I was a bit surprised that it did go so well. They're looking for someone to project manage developers. This is not something I've done before but it seems I demonstrated sufficient general technical experience as well as transferable skills. Plus I have actually worked with developers before.
I've been thinking about the job the whole weekend and became quite enthusiastic. There may have been that visualisation thing: you start imagining the job in more and more detail and that somehow comes across. Of course, it means greater disappointment if I don't get it, especially if I don't even get to a face-to-face interview.
I guess you can either be enthusiastic or stoical.
Round up
Before we launch into this week's adventures in the world of job hunting here's a quick round up of last week.
Last week I applied for one job.
I did, however, drink quite a bit of Lapin Kulta and also ate rheindeer.
Last week I applied for one job.
I did, however, drink quite a bit of Lapin Kulta and also ate rheindeer.
Back to Planet Boring
I returned from Helsinki on Thursday.
Once I landed at Heathrow I had to travel on the underground to a mainline train station and then get home from there.
Travelling on the London underground on Thursdays is currently not a pleasant thought. The terrorists attacked it twice on Thursdays. Probably something to do with Friday being the Muslim's holy day.
Whilst I was in Helsinki a Finnish friend, staying in one of the islands, emailed me to say how terrible all the bombings were and how appalling it was that there was still a threat. What? I checked The Times on the internet and read that there's a third terrorist team still operating in the UK.
Still, I wasn't too alarmed on my journey on the tube. The carriages weren't full like normal and the only people probably using them were undercover police officers, undercover army special forces, and a slightly Asian looking bloke carrying a large bag. And that was ok because that was me.
Actually it was slightly ironic going to Helsinki anyway. Ironic, that is, if you were trying to get away from all the suicide bombing stuff in England. A few years ago someone near Helsinki blew himself up in a shopping mall, taking five or six with him. And just outside the house where I was staying last week they were blasting rock with explosives.
My trip to Helsinki was pretty much incident free. In fact I didn't even get to Tallinn. This was because the business planning really started to kick off. It was actually quite hard work, but it was good because it was different and in all a nice break.
It's now been a few days since I returned from Helsinki and for once I can't report any incidents (see here and here for earlier incidents). Except for a cold and that would hardly feature in the International Journal of Pathologies and other Incidents Associated with Visits to Finland.
Once I landed at Heathrow I had to travel on the underground to a mainline train station and then get home from there.
Travelling on the London underground on Thursdays is currently not a pleasant thought. The terrorists attacked it twice on Thursdays. Probably something to do with Friday being the Muslim's holy day.
Whilst I was in Helsinki a Finnish friend, staying in one of the islands, emailed me to say how terrible all the bombings were and how appalling it was that there was still a threat. What? I checked The Times on the internet and read that there's a third terrorist team still operating in the UK.
Still, I wasn't too alarmed on my journey on the tube. The carriages weren't full like normal and the only people probably using them were undercover police officers, undercover army special forces, and a slightly Asian looking bloke carrying a large bag. And that was ok because that was me.
Actually it was slightly ironic going to Helsinki anyway. Ironic, that is, if you were trying to get away from all the suicide bombing stuff in England. A few years ago someone near Helsinki blew himself up in a shopping mall, taking five or six with him. And just outside the house where I was staying last week they were blasting rock with explosives.
My trip to Helsinki was pretty much incident free. In fact I didn't even get to Tallinn. This was because the business planning really started to kick off. It was actually quite hard work, but it was good because it was different and in all a nice break.
It's now been a few days since I returned from Helsinki and for once I can't report any incidents (see here and here for earlier incidents). Except for a cold and that would hardly feature in the International Journal of Pathologies and other Incidents Associated with Visits to Finland.
Monday, August 01, 2005
Better news
I´m still in Helsinki.
Today I kept forlornly look at my mobile phone. I´ve applied for so many jobs, and my c.v. is so good, that I do expect agencies to call. Even though I´m on holiday and haven´t made any applications (or the resultant phone calls to agencies) in the last few days.
Eventually I gave up looking and went back to my usual activities. Which is doing nothing.
My mobile then rang. When I recovered from the shock I noticed the number displayed started with +31.
Fearlessly I answered the phone. It was the agency to whom I spoke a week or so ago about a PM job in Munich.
The agent was calling again to arrange a telephone interview. Apparently I´d gotten over the HR hurdle - a challenge she apparently doubted could be acheived.
I said when I could and couldn´t do a chat (well, I am on holiday) and she said she´d call be back in 10 minutes.
An hour later she called (and by agency standards this is excellent - even calling back a week later is good in my experience) and said the recruiting manager still seemed keen to talk with me. But she didn´t have a time for me. It's now 2015 in Helsinki, she was phoning from Amsterdam so I reckon she won't call again till tomorrow.
Well it's good news. I can now go back to some more of my holiday. Which is sitting around eating, drinking and er, that's about it.
Today I kept forlornly look at my mobile phone. I´ve applied for so many jobs, and my c.v. is so good, that I do expect agencies to call. Even though I´m on holiday and haven´t made any applications (or the resultant phone calls to agencies) in the last few days.
Eventually I gave up looking and went back to my usual activities. Which is doing nothing.
My mobile then rang. When I recovered from the shock I noticed the number displayed started with +31.
Fearlessly I answered the phone. It was the agency to whom I spoke a week or so ago about a PM job in Munich.
The agent was calling again to arrange a telephone interview. Apparently I´d gotten over the HR hurdle - a challenge she apparently doubted could be acheived.
I said when I could and couldn´t do a chat (well, I am on holiday) and she said she´d call be back in 10 minutes.
An hour later she called (and by agency standards this is excellent - even calling back a week later is good in my experience) and said the recruiting manager still seemed keen to talk with me. But she didn´t have a time for me. It's now 2015 in Helsinki, she was phoning from Amsterdam so I reckon she won't call again till tomorrow.
Well it's good news. I can now go back to some more of my holiday. Which is sitting around eating, drinking and er, that's about it.
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