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.