After a hard week at work I left the office early yesterday.
But that was so I could work from home whilst waiting for someone to read and change the water meter - because that is what they do in Munich.
As I was winding down from work my mobile rang. It was a London agency calling about a project management job in Munich.
I don't really do PM work any more (although I am assisting in setting up a methodology in my company) so I named a very high compensation I would want.
Apparently that was not a problem.
OK, I sent the agent my details.
Which is good because although the job spec in not entirely up my street anymore we should all by now know that job specs that agencies give are rarely related to reality.
Today I read this article on luck.
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.
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Tuesday, June 03, 2014
Rejections are always right
Something I've told myself and others:
"when someone rejects you from a job, they are always right to do so".
They may not be right for the right reasons, but they are still right.
It could be them, their company, or you and how you would fit in. They may be incompetent, even arseholes but they are right.
But unfortunately there is a corollary, "when someone offers you a job, they may not be right".
"when someone rejects you from a job, they are always right to do so".
They may not be right for the right reasons, but they are still right.
It could be them, their company, or you and how you would fit in. They may be incompetent, even arseholes but they are right.
But unfortunately there is a corollary, "when someone offers you a job, they may not be right".
Sunday, June 01, 2014
LinkedIn notification
If you are not in LinkedIn then you should be.
Stop reading this and join now.
Done it?
Right. Carry on reading.
And if you are on LinkedIn you really should promptly respond to agencies which contact you about possible jobs. Especially when you have directly benefited from this. And have mentioned this on your job hunting blog. Yes, that ultimate one. And really, you shouldn't wait two weeks before replying.
Understood?
Stop reading this and join now.
Done it?
Right. Carry on reading.
And if you are on LinkedIn you really should promptly respond to agencies which contact you about possible jobs. Especially when you have directly benefited from this. And have mentioned this on your job hunting blog. Yes, that ultimate one. And really, you shouldn't wait two weeks before replying.
Understood?
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Query
On Friday, rather fed up, I went to The Enemy (generic term for HR at any company) and asked them about my notice period.
Two months from the end of the current month.
As the cunning plan is to reduce my team from 11 (and really it should be 12) to five people, I see no way that this will work.
I have advised my new VP of IT with nice slides of what we can, or rather will struggle to, do. And what we won't be able to do at all.
Really what I should have done was create a slide with pictures of a horde of zombies and a nuclear explosion in the background. And have it titled "Best case scenario".
Two months from the end of the current month.
As the cunning plan is to reduce my team from 11 (and really it should be 12) to five people, I see no way that this will work.
I have advised my new VP of IT with nice slides of what we can, or rather will struggle to, do. And what we won't be able to do at all.
Really what I should have done was create a slide with pictures of a horde of zombies and a nuclear explosion in the background. And have it titled "Best case scenario".
Friday, April 18, 2014
Not good week
Last Thursday my Internet access at home died.
I could, of course because it's 2014, use my phone for limited connection but it's not the same.
At work, we are all a bit down.
In fact last Wednesday I told my boss I wanted to take Friday off so I could have a long weekend. I've been working hard for a quite a few months dealing with unpleasant topics and needed a break.
It was short notice but he agreed, probably because he knew that otherwise I would go my doctor and he would unhesitatingly write me off two weeks - a lot of German doctors are like that.
And yesterday he - my boss and CITO - told everyone he had resigned and would leave in a couple of weeks.
Today is the start of the Easter long holiday.
I could, of course because it's 2014, use my phone for limited connection but it's not the same.
At work, we are all a bit down.
In fact last Wednesday I told my boss I wanted to take Friday off so I could have a long weekend. I've been working hard for a quite a few months dealing with unpleasant topics and needed a break.
It was short notice but he agreed, probably because he knew that otherwise I would go my doctor and he would unhesitatingly write me off two weeks - a lot of German doctors are like that.
And yesterday he - my boss and CITO - told everyone he had resigned and would leave in a couple of weeks.
Today is the start of the Easter long holiday.
Sunday, April 06, 2014
Slowly ...
... coming to an unpleasant realisation.
My group, comprising two teams, has been halved.
Or will be in a couple of months' time.
So during this coming week I have to, with the team managers, work out how we provide a service.
I am not sure we can provide the service the company will require.
And although I may secure more headcount there is a risk that they may have to compensate in other areas. See where this is going?
Today I sent my c.v. to a recruitment consultant I've known for a while.
And I also updated Monster.
A few years ago a friend told me that simply updating Monster generated a lot of interest.
Let's see.
My group, comprising two teams, has been halved.
Or will be in a couple of months' time.
So during this coming week I have to, with the team managers, work out how we provide a service.
I am not sure we can provide the service the company will require.
And although I may secure more headcount there is a risk that they may have to compensate in other areas. See where this is going?
Today I sent my c.v. to a recruitment consultant I've known for a while.
And I also updated Monster.
A few years ago a friend told me that simply updating Monster generated a lot of interest.
Let's see.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Not a good day
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.
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.
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.
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