During the bits of the weekend when I wasn't running/drinking/eating or sleeping I updated my c.v.
It's now how I want it to look.
I also updated my details on LinkedIn, not because I am looking for another job, but it's better to be safe and follow the rule "don't leave home without a c.v.".
This morning, as expected, two of my staff were told they would lose their jobs. We're shutting down the offices (one in the Americas, one in APAC) where they work.
These two people are outstanding and it is sad to lose them. They were also sad.
Anyway, they will be with us for at least a couple of months.
When it comes to redundancies, or indeed other forms of termination, it is hard on both sides of the desk - although obviously much harder on the receiving end.
Meanwhile, the company is now much smaller but, when you discount the loss of our largest client, still in growth.
I am safe ... for now.
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, March 31, 2014
Monday, March 24, 2014
Weekend
Having installed OneNote on my Mac I haven't used it in the slightest.
Still pleased it's there though.
This weekend I did, however, spend some time working on my c.v.
Living in Germany I've decided to include a photo. It took a while to put it into the c.v. it a pleasing way (lots of table manipulation).
I do, however, have to update the text as well.
Still pleased it's there though.
This weekend I did, however, spend some time working on my c.v.
Living in Germany I've decided to include a photo. It took a while to put it into the c.v. it a pleasing way (lots of table manipulation).
I do, however, have to update the text as well.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Good news
Having talked with someone senior in the company I reckon my chances of being kept or staying at around 30%.
But a good 30%.
Yesterday I also heard that OneNote is now available on the Mac.
And this morning I downloaded it and got it working.
But a good 30%.
Yesterday I also heard that OneNote is now available on the Mac.
And this morning I downloaded it and got it working.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Deja vu all over again
More thoughts on what's happening.
I remember that I used to work for a small medium size company with one big client and a few little ones.
We lost the big client (which also went in-house), I was made redundant and the company no longer exists.
I'm using google-fu to see if there are any stats on companies that survive loss of their key client.
The panda is worried.
I remember that I used to work for a small medium size company with one big client and a few little ones.
We lost the big client (which also went in-house), I was made redundant and the company no longer exists.
I'm using google-fu to see if there are any stats on companies that survive loss of their key client.
The panda is worried.
Friday, March 14, 2014
Sinking feeling
A shitty end to a shitty week.
Today we lost our COO - someone for whom I had a lot of respect.
Since I've joined it's been non-stop growth.
Now I've heard that instead of growing our infrastructure I may have to start reducing it.
The panda is sad.
Today we lost our COO - someone for whom I had a lot of respect.
Since I've joined it's been non-stop growth.
Now I've heard that instead of growing our infrastructure I may have to start reducing it.
The panda is sad.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
It's time to remember ...
... I've been thinking about the situation at work.
Almost worrying.
But in times like these it's important to remember my favourite White House Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel, and his wise words:
Almost worrying.
But in times like these it's important to remember my favourite White House Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel, and his wise words:
"never let a serious crisis go to waste".
Wednesday, March 05, 2014
Oh oh
Today our biggest client announced that they were terminating the contract with us.
This could be good for us in the long term.
But in the short term ... not so good.
On another note, my personal business cards arrived last week.
They are from moo.com (which I love telling people because of the funny name) and were cheap but good.
I hope I don't need them.
This could be good for us in the long term.
But in the short term ... not so good.
On another note, my personal business cards arrived last week.
They are from moo.com (which I love telling people because of the funny name) and were cheap but good.
I hope I don't need them.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Advisory
This evening I attended a meeting with our company's advisory board.
I didn't have to say much but a couple of the VPs got mauled by the investors (the advisory board consists of VCs who advise the VPs to remember just whose money it is).
Not nice to watch but I suspect they got it easy.
Does, however, temper one's ambition.
I didn't have to say much but a couple of the VPs got mauled by the investors (the advisory board consists of VCs who advise the VPs to remember just whose money it is).
Not nice to watch but I suspect they got it easy.
Does, however, temper one's ambition.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Tell them early
Yesterday my boss told me that HR will soon contact the agency which has supplied one of our help desk agents.
We have to downsize a bit, just a little bit, which means going for low-hanging fruit such as freelancers. In his case we aim to end the contract around the middle of February.
It's nothing to do with him: everyone likes him and he is very helpful. I had been hoping that we wouldn't need to do this but the wheels are being set in motion.
So, yesterday (Friday) within an hour of being told I had a quick word with him. I stressed that it was nothing to do with his performance.
Later, I heard from him direct manager that he was quite upset and would have preferred to have been told on Monday.
Maybe. My thinking was that it was right to tell him as soon as possible. The market always picks up in the New Year and agencies start calling (an agency actually called me on Thursday but I wasn't interested). I thought it would be galling for him to reject an approach - which can even happen at the weekends - and then learn the next day that he should have gone with it.
It's never nice (well, for non-sociopathic people) to give this sort of news but it's worse to receive it so I understand his unhappiness.
We have to downsize a bit, just a little bit, which means going for low-hanging fruit such as freelancers. In his case we aim to end the contract around the middle of February.
It's nothing to do with him: everyone likes him and he is very helpful. I had been hoping that we wouldn't need to do this but the wheels are being set in motion.
So, yesterday (Friday) within an hour of being told I had a quick word with him. I stressed that it was nothing to do with his performance.
Later, I heard from him direct manager that he was quite upset and would have preferred to have been told on Monday.
Maybe. My thinking was that it was right to tell him as soon as possible. The market always picks up in the New Year and agencies start calling (an agency actually called me on Thursday but I wasn't interested). I thought it would be galling for him to reject an approach - which can even happen at the weekends - and then learn the next day that he should have gone with it.
It's never nice (well, for non-sociopathic people) to give this sort of news but it's worse to receive it so I understand his unhappiness.
Thursday, January 02, 2014
You for coffee (?)
Slate.com - bless'em - has the definite answer on whether you should accept a coffee from the interviewer when you are being interviewed in a Starbucks.
And my definitive answer for when you are offered an cream in an ice cream parlour by an interviewer (when you had earlier been told the interview would be held in an office) is to answer with a firm, but polite, "fuck off".
Unless you are applying to work in the ice cream business you know, from my experience, that it will end up being an awful job.
And my definitive answer for when you are offered an cream in an ice cream parlour by an interviewer (when you had earlier been told the interview would be held in an office) is to answer with a firm, but polite, "fuck off".
Unless you are applying to work in the ice cream business you know, from my experience, that it will end up being an awful job.
Motiviation
For a website specializing in dick jokes Cracked.com often has interesting articles including this motivational piece, which is impressive even though I don't normally like these things.
Best to read the comments as well, though, for a better perspective.
Best to read the comments as well, though, for a better perspective.
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Extreme commuting
It's a real thing and many years ago I use to do it.
Nowadays my journey to work takes 35 minutes door to door.
Which some people think is excessive.
Nowadays my journey to work takes 35 minutes door to door.
Which some people think is excessive.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Quick poll
It's time for the readers of this blog to actually contribute instead of sitting back and waiting for me to do everything.
So, please answer the question below:
"When is it appropriate to make jokey penis-size allusions in a business setting?
Is it:
So, please answer the question below:
"When is it appropriate to make jokey penis-size allusions in a business setting?
Is it:
- When your workplace happens to be a brothel and you use that type of humour as a stress-relief mechanism (much like the gallows humour that paramedics and police use)?
- When you run a multi-national, multi-cultural business and are giving the main speech at the company's Christmas party?
- When you are a professional writer of lame penis-size jokes?"
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
The "F" word
WARNING - This post doesn't include naughty words.
For some reason I like aimlessly looking at things, like Pinterest.
And I just saw one of there ever-so-cute* bon mots: "You don't realise how boring your life is until someone asks you what you do for fun".
And I realised my answer would include going to work.
Sad but true. Sure I do other fun things (um, drink and eat mainly) but I also try to, and often do, have fun at work.
*If you didn't recognise my sarcasm please stop reading this blog and delete it from your favourites folder and history - you are not worthy to read it. Your cooperation is appreciated.
For some reason I like aimlessly looking at things, like Pinterest.
And I just saw one of there ever-so-cute* bon mots: "You don't realise how boring your life is until someone asks you what you do for fun".
And I realised my answer would include going to work.
Sad but true. Sure I do other fun things (um, drink and eat mainly) but I also try to, and often do, have fun at work.
*If you didn't recognise my sarcasm please stop reading this blog and delete it from your favourites folder and history - you are not worthy to read it. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Friday, November 29, 2013
Salon
Interesting, but poorly titled, article in Salon about credential inflation.
I have a bachelor degree in engineering but no post-graduate (or "graduate" if you are American) qualification.
This, together with over 10 years of experience, was sufficient for me to become a chartered engineer (the British equivalent of being a licensed engineer) as well as a CITP and a MBCS.
Incidentally I only applied to become an MBCS but ended up with the other two as well. And two days later I ended up in intensive care (unrelated).
Nowadays I would need a master's degree as a minimum.
What has changed?
I suspect that partly this is due to the quality of degrees plummeting. Certainly this is the case in the UK. And universities are now just businesses turning out as many graduates as they can.
Also, there are more people taking degrees. Not just those in the Western world but also in the BRICS. The competition has increased.
And actually in the West we can't compete with the high number of top graduates coming out of India and China. Even if we improved the quality of the degrees we just don't have the population of graduates needed.
Many people are now going for MBAs and there are also more people going for doctorates - note the plural: in Germany if you have two doctorates you may require people to call you "Herr Doktor Doktor Mustermann".
There must be a better way to differentiate yourself.
Not sure what it is though.
I have a bachelor degree in engineering but no post-graduate (or "graduate" if you are American) qualification.
This, together with over 10 years of experience, was sufficient for me to become a chartered engineer (the British equivalent of being a licensed engineer) as well as a CITP and a MBCS.
Incidentally I only applied to become an MBCS but ended up with the other two as well. And two days later I ended up in intensive care (unrelated).
Nowadays I would need a master's degree as a minimum.
What has changed?
I suspect that partly this is due to the quality of degrees plummeting. Certainly this is the case in the UK. And universities are now just businesses turning out as many graduates as they can.
Also, there are more people taking degrees. Not just those in the Western world but also in the BRICS. The competition has increased.
And actually in the West we can't compete with the high number of top graduates coming out of India and China. Even if we improved the quality of the degrees we just don't have the population of graduates needed.
Many people are now going for MBAs and there are also more people going for doctorates - note the plural: in Germany if you have two doctorates you may require people to call you "Herr Doktor Doktor Mustermann".
There must be a better way to differentiate yourself.
Not sure what it is though.
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.
(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.
Monday, November 04, 2013
Monday, October 28, 2013
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
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.
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.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
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?
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