What A Difference A Year Makes

While this blog was only just beginning to find it's feet a year ago, the author was going through a transition period. At the time, I felt uncomfortable to put my full emotions on the page. There are subtle hints over on my personal blog, but little devil in the detail. Now, a year on, I can finally put together how I felt, coped and survived that period often referred to as being inbetween jobs. Being unemployed is not a great experience, quite quickly it dawns on you that you need a job and that money does not grown on trees (or from your parents). Perhaps my previous experience had put me into a false sense of security. Or was I just lucky beyond belief. Then again, not many people are offered a job after their first interview since leaving University. Perhaps my luck had run out and this time around, as a lesson I would have to hunt high and low for a job. After the initial week, my lack of progress cause for desperate measures, I started applying for jobs where I was perhaps over qualified. Well perhaps my job hunting did not steep so low that I would be sending my resume to a global fast food conglomerate. (Although can confess to applying for a job at my local Asda store, only to be rejected when I was 16!)

Thankfully, things changed. Reed did finally start working. As the second week of unemployment was coming to a close, I applied for as many suitable (and minor unsuitable) jobs on the recruitment site. Not knowing then, that this e-mail confirmation would later change my life (forever?)

Placing aside my birthday, my aim had always been to find a job before Christmas. Yes, I know rationally speaking this is the opposite to what people normally say (I'll find a new job in January is often heard in December!) My life had changed beyond recognition and I was lacking the focus to truly understand. Applications went out but I never had a reply, the agency contact was either busy, out of the office or on annual leave. This did little to help my predicament and I seriously was considering throwing the towel in but preserved. Never underestimate the power of positive thinking.

There are people out there that believe that everything happens for a reason and that fate ultimately foretells our destination. I tend not to agree with such philosophies, opting to remain in control. Yet, as always eventually everything pans out as you want. Whether I should put this all down to the man upstairs or the strange constellations in the sky is another matter. I often find true reflection in the lyrics of the songs I listen to.

Top Drawer

What difference the change of season makes. November comes along and I suddenly feel the motivation to not just work, but take my role to another level. I suppose, the reality is that I am just getting on with it. Any job requires that skill at some point in time (usually from day one). Being super sufficient is one thing. Helping a frustrated user to resolve their on going communication problem is a completely different ball game. After all, at times there is little explanation we can give for their constant problems. While I prefer to not get involved in the blame culture. At times it is inevitable, but you help as much as you can. Will my eagerness continue way into this month? Time will tell. I often wonder what the motivation is for people in other jobs (particularly sales) but I never really look back to consider my own. Perhaps the satisfaction of helping others, even if somewhat superficially.

E-mail is fantastic. I tend to make great use of e-mail, particularly in my personal correspondence. Yet what I find most annoying is those who never reply. There is no real reason for doing so. Though, the moment we step into the sphere of work. Everything changes. Even the most anti-technology people you've ever care to know, become e-mail junkies, living off every sent item, every attachment and ping of Microsoft Outlook. Other interesting observations are the way in which people send tactically messages, copying in various managers and other 'powers that be' to increase impact. Some people need advice on writing sensibly others though, need to get life away from their Blackberry. Although, if I am honest, the handheld device from RIM is worthy of an entry all on it's own. My organisation has chosen not to put in place a Friday amnesty. The so called experts can say what they like, I know for some people, life would without e-mail would be just as bad, as life without air. Not sure if you suffer from this strange 21st century disease? Read up on the signs and then take the long hard road to recovery.

Strange how a year (has almost past) since I had completed my contract and was desperately searching for a job prior to Christmas. So, how have things changed over the course of the year? Perhaps something for me to ponder for my next entry. What is the true measure of how far we have come on this journey?

Andy Gray, the ex Everton forward and now Sky Sports commenter used an infamous line during his commentary of Wales versus England, a few months ago. It is perhaps the only way I would describe my personal performance over the past few days. Then again, as I have already stated, there is plenty of life left in the month.