Buses...

Job interviews are like buses aren't they? Nothing for two months, and now two tomorrow. Problem is, one is health and safety, but for an organisation that have changed my interview day and location 3 or 4 times; the other is doing what I used to do, but for an old friend. Mmmm. Watch this space....

Job hunting

Once the euphoria of the results subsided the practicalities faced me. Job hunting. A while since I’d done that. Well, surely a distinction would put me ahead of the competition? But the more I look through job adverts the more I realise that most companies are looking for recent practical experience. I’m sure a year ago when I looked, there were lots of companies asking for the NEBOSH general certificate. Now they also seem to want an IOSH Diploma. And chartered membership. And a PhD.

So, in search of advice, I went to visit a well known employment agency. Please don’t think me vain when I say I changed my mind twice about what to wear to make a good impression. Trying to get that balance between looking sensible and mature, without looking old and fussy. They say it’s a sign of age when policemen look young. Can the same be said about recruitment consultants? As I was coming up the stairs a young man in a white v-neck t-shirt and black jeans came out of the office to meet me. Now I know I do most of my work wearing jogging bottoms (not that I jog) and a fleece, but there’s no one watching me. I didn’t think office life had changed that much in 8 years. It turned out it was “dress down Friday” a concept which has never made much sense to me in customer facing roles. Still, I suppose in the current job climate, he represents the customer and so can wear what he likes.