Some months have passed since I really took my site seriously - that feels like the kind of thing a blogger might say in the internet equivalent of a confessional booth. I have been quiet for a while, but the approach from the Viking Group enthused me back into action and so I am back at the keyboard and ready to share a personal update.
Though things are starting to get back to something approaching normal, my life, like most of my readers I expect, has been a bit dull of late. Not much has been happening, things have been a bit “Groundhog Day”, and writing about them … largely pointless.
Though it’s now May, this year has so far felt like an extension of 2020. Last year really didn’t get a thumbs up from me and I was damn glad to see the back of it.
After my post in June 2020 about furlough, I ultimately got made redundant at the end of October. Whilst not exactly a surprise, it was nonetheless a depressing blow. I didn’t join the ranks of the unemployed however - because I got myself a job at Tesco instead.
To quote Jon Bon Jovi, “when you can’t do what you do, you do what you can”. Jon donated his time to a food kitchen, and I went to work for a supermarket.
The last time I worked for minimum wage, the formal structure didn’t exist. Going back to basics was an eye opener for me. Still, whilst the pay, hours and working environments (often outside, regardless of the weather) were grim, I cracked on. I made the most of it and tried to positively influence the other, less motivated, minimum-wagers around me to do a good job on behalf of the customers.
In January, when I turned 50, I was earning less money per month that I did when I was 18. Still that money was better than no money, and the job was better for my soul than no job.
The fact is that in 2020, I had never known so many good people be out of work at the same time.
I digress a moment to reflect. As I get older, I am conscious that I have stopped wanting more and more and have instead reverted to a state where I spend more time concerned about keeping what I have already – health, relationships, home, career etc. Is it just me? Do you dear reader ever have similar thoughts? I certainly don’t yearn for status symbols, or celebrity, or great wealth – though saying that, I do fancy upgrading my motorcycle ... again.
Perhaps it’s just that age is weighing heavier on me than usual right now? Normally it’s irrelevant, I mean I still behave like I am 30. But, in facing risk, I have felt more exposed than I did before. Maybe being 50 doesn’t present a roadblock to ambition, or career, or new experiences … but equally, it would be naïve to think that all the old doors can still be opened.
Anyway, introspective digression over. When facing redundancy, I had started applying for the kinds of roles that my skills and experiences would properly suit. The job market though was, and still is, brutal. For me, the outright rejections and complete silences had me genuinely worried about my career, each ‘hit’ another blow to roll with.
After 50 applications, for positions I was well qualified for, I only got interviewed twice. Fortunately, I made it through to second interviews on both occasions and got offered one of the roles.
I was beating myself up about my personal performance ratios, when someone, whose opinion I value, suggested that my 50:2:1 result wasn’t bad at all. I didn’t expect to get praised for failing so often that’s for sure.
In February, I was fortunate to secure myself a 15-month fixed term contract and get back to doing what I do - marketing management - and with a proper salary again. Normally I wouldn’t have been keen on a short-term role, but given the circumstances, I was delighted to take it.
I am currently working with good people, for a good business and am adding value and enjoying myself.
As we are finally easing out of coronavirus restrictions (and let’s hope there are no more reversals), my life feels like it has the balance back that it was missing for a year (again hoping for no reversals).
I guess that what I am getting at is - I am back. Normal service about to resume; you’ll be hearing from me more often. Probably.
Blog Home
Blog Library
Home
Though things are starting to get back to something approaching normal, my life, like most of my readers I expect, has been a bit dull of late. Not much has been happening, things have been a bit “Groundhog Day”, and writing about them … largely pointless.
Though it’s now May, this year has so far felt like an extension of 2020. Last year really didn’t get a thumbs up from me and I was damn glad to see the back of it.
After my post in June 2020 about furlough, I ultimately got made redundant at the end of October. Whilst not exactly a surprise, it was nonetheless a depressing blow. I didn’t join the ranks of the unemployed however - because I got myself a job at Tesco instead.
To quote Jon Bon Jovi, “when you can’t do what you do, you do what you can”. Jon donated his time to a food kitchen, and I went to work for a supermarket.
The last time I worked for minimum wage, the formal structure didn’t exist. Going back to basics was an eye opener for me. Still, whilst the pay, hours and working environments (often outside, regardless of the weather) were grim, I cracked on. I made the most of it and tried to positively influence the other, less motivated, minimum-wagers around me to do a good job on behalf of the customers.
In January, when I turned 50, I was earning less money per month that I did when I was 18. Still that money was better than no money, and the job was better for my soul than no job.
The fact is that in 2020, I had never known so many good people be out of work at the same time.
I digress a moment to reflect. As I get older, I am conscious that I have stopped wanting more and more and have instead reverted to a state where I spend more time concerned about keeping what I have already – health, relationships, home, career etc. Is it just me? Do you dear reader ever have similar thoughts? I certainly don’t yearn for status symbols, or celebrity, or great wealth – though saying that, I do fancy upgrading my motorcycle ... again.
Perhaps it’s just that age is weighing heavier on me than usual right now? Normally it’s irrelevant, I mean I still behave like I am 30. But, in facing risk, I have felt more exposed than I did before. Maybe being 50 doesn’t present a roadblock to ambition, or career, or new experiences … but equally, it would be naïve to think that all the old doors can still be opened.
Anyway, introspective digression over. When facing redundancy, I had started applying for the kinds of roles that my skills and experiences would properly suit. The job market though was, and still is, brutal. For me, the outright rejections and complete silences had me genuinely worried about my career, each ‘hit’ another blow to roll with.
After 50 applications, for positions I was well qualified for, I only got interviewed twice. Fortunately, I made it through to second interviews on both occasions and got offered one of the roles.
I was beating myself up about my personal performance ratios, when someone, whose opinion I value, suggested that my 50:2:1 result wasn’t bad at all. I didn’t expect to get praised for failing so often that’s for sure.
In February, I was fortunate to secure myself a 15-month fixed term contract and get back to doing what I do - marketing management - and with a proper salary again. Normally I wouldn’t have been keen on a short-term role, but given the circumstances, I was delighted to take it.
I am currently working with good people, for a good business and am adding value and enjoying myself.
As we are finally easing out of coronavirus restrictions (and let’s hope there are no more reversals), my life feels like it has the balance back that it was missing for a year (again hoping for no reversals).
I guess that what I am getting at is - I am back. Normal service about to resume; you’ll be hearing from me more often. Probably.
Blog Home
Blog Library
Home
RSS Feed
