Job Search

I've come home to a brown envelope from the Child Benefit Office. Kieran is nearly old enough to leave school, that's chronologically old enough, there is no way Kieran is ready for such a step. Besides the fact that Kieran still has a whole year of GCSE study left, he is not mature enough to venture into the working environment. The latest job I was interviewed will be helping youngsters who are making this first step into this environment.

I am in limbo at moment awaiting to hear from agency and job interview. As last job was lost on question of what do you look for in a job? Which answered a bit to literally, it has been running through my mind. So here goes.

Firstly is deciding what I wanted to do. Fantasy versa reality here, as thoughts of film extra, Hugh Grant's PR, travel, were abandoned for the facts I wanted part-time work within school hours. (Hugh Grant probably expected full-time attention)

Next I looked coldly at skills and working possibilities. Ideal would be website designer, reality is that despite my IT experience I do not have skills in html, java or script and no employer is going to consider me for this role. However, I do have skills I could use in other, less well-paid, jobs.

Which area did I want to work in? Retailing, is not really for me. Neither is call centre work. Working with children is not for me, I lack patience. I do not have experience is payrolls nor pensions. My best option is a general admin or receptionist role. (Here you have to consider local employment, whilst film extra work might be possible in London here demand is negligible.)

Finding vacancies. Besides the local paper the web is great for this. There is the government own, highly frustrating, website. After putting in your requirements you are supplied with results which start well with actual matches but then throws in jobs from places as far apart as Glasgow and Maidenhead, not exactly a bike ride away! Reed employment, however has a really good site, which is regularly updated. It even lists job from other agencies. The only drawback is that these agencies then contact you.

Interviews with agencies. Before they submit your details to employer they want to met you. So far I've treated as a normal interview. Dress as if I was going to work. Be prepared for questions. I've even had to do tests. And all agencies want to see your passport.

Next stage is fielding offers from agencies which are not job you went for. Sometimes you wonder if they have actually read your CV! One problem is that some only look back at last job which might not reflect what you're now looking for. Beware of agreeing to interview for job which when you put phone down you realise requires you to start at 8.00am every morning or has other fault which makes it unsuitable.

Next is interview for job you want. Be prepared for following questions:-
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
What can you bring to this role? (ensure you know what role this is!)
What attracted you to this job?
It's worth remembering that the winner of this year's apprentice was the girl that Sir Alan most empathized with, although both girls were deemed equally capable of fulfilling the role.

After interview you will either decide job isn't want you want, in which case you can continue search, or that it's prefect. You are now in limbo awaiting to hear whether they want you. At this point doubts and insecurities take over as you go over interview in your head searching for clues and wondering if you provided the right responses. However, in case the answer is no you should continue searching for viable vacancies, difficult as this is.

Good Luck