Today is the first day of one of the most hectic weeks of my life. Unlike last year, I can vouch for sure that the job-market has picked up - despite what all the doubters say.
It was "with regret" that my 2 bosses Ali and George had to give me one months notice on my contract. Regret on their parts and my part if I'm going to be honest with you. I'd just gotten back into the swing of things in my "sparkly new job" - but what I can say - is that I had a niggly feeling that this was going to happen; I put my funny gut feeling down to paranoia and not wanting to have to go and sign-on ever again. Both Ali and George were gutted that they have had to let me go; they want to keep me, but until b2b get the go-ahead to continue with the development of the Careers portal I project managed for a client of ours (major player in the Accounting world) - there just aren't the funds for me to stay where I am. In short, there's not enough work or money so it’s time for me to find a new job. This time however, things are VERY different. I have a whole heap of new skills, I have the support of my current employers but most importantly, I’m confident, I’m positive and I’m smiling lots – and I believe my enthusiasm and positive outlook is going to help me find a fabulous new job and this is very exciting!
I have loved working at b2b partnerships - I now consider Ali and George friends and no doubt will shed a tear on my last day. When I first started here one of the first things I said to my husband was: "If Carlsberg did bosses ... Ali and George would probably be the best bosses in the world!" They have been amazing throughout my time here; even now they are quite astonishing. Not only am I able to slot my interviews in when they are convenient to me (they are fully supporting me in my search), but they are helping me network, as well as offering to have a consultant go over my CV and help me in what direction I want my Career path to take. They truly are amazing! However, something good always comes out of something bad - and boy - have I got a crazy, manic, demanding week ahead of me: after spending 5 months hunting for work last year and it taking a ridiculous amount of time for me to secure 1 let alone 2 interviews - I have managed to secure myself 5 interviews in one week - yee ha!!!
My first one is this afternoon and I'm quite nervous, partly because the company's fab, the role's fab, everything about it s fab and I don't want to suffer a dip in confidence due to the possibility of rejection. I also am reluctant to leave the security-net of my current role (despite being pushed). We are quite a nice fit, small team here, we accommodate each other, are flexible and we work from home if the need arises (such as last week, when I waited in all day for the blooming plumber to arrive and he rocked up at 7pm - GRRRR). Both Ali and George are nuts as well (in the nicest possible way) - pliés in the office are a regular occurrence, particularly after a carb-fuelled lunch! It really is hard to find a nice working environment - and I really want to make sure that next decision I make regarding my career ensures that I am able to work with a nice jolly bunch that are also hard working and strive for the best. The problem is - how do you work all of this out when in an interview???
So my priorities for my next role:
1. good job
2. good team / working environment: it's very important to get on with your boss and also to have a giggle
3. good work / life balance and culture
4. progression - I want to be a digital marketing superstar and I need to work somewhere that will nurture that need
5. package (goes without saying really)
I'll make my decision based on my gut instinct - women do this more than men and the one time I didn't listen to my gut - it practically ended in tears - note to self: must follow my gut!
So - I'm looking for another Carlsberg employer - who will be amazing and push me to be my best whilst having fun along the way. I'm hoping I'll find him or her sometime this week ... I have a good feeling about this week so fingers crossed we find each other.
