Oh my - I got the job!
After a pretty rigorous interview process, I seem to have come out the other side as the Last Man Standing! So, subject to completion of all the formalities and paperwork, I shall be Head of Business Assurance for a major housing association based in Preston - starting on 19 April. Hence the 'T - 18' countdown in the title above.
The recruitment process went through three separate interviews, culminating in a double-header down in London on Monday. On arrival, I was given a topic to present upon for 15 minutes, and given 45 minutes to prepare. No Powerpoint - just a flipchart. So, hoping that handwriting wasn't one of the characteristics I was going to be assessed on, I set to scribbling.
Finished just about on time, then it was downstairs to present my scribbles to the four-man panel. And it seemed to go ok. My mouth didn't dry up, the presentation seemed to flow, I could see I was getting a few nods, and I stuck to my allotted fifteen minutes. After a few questions on the presentation, it was on to the meat of the interview for the next hour and a half. Again, it seemed to go ok. Unfazed by any of the questions, a few more nods, even a few laughs and smiles. In the right place, as well.
Still, you never know. I came out thinking I'd done ok - pretty good, in fact - but the other guy might be even better. Who knows? At least I felt I'd done myself justice and set a decent benchmark for the other guy.
Fast forward to the next morning. An early call from the recruitment agency - always a good sign - no offer yet, but good feedback from the interview...and could I give them the names of some referees they could contact for a reference? Oh yes, I can do that. A few quick emails, and the process swung smoothly and quickly into action. By midday, references had been requested and provided, passed on to the company....
...and the good news came back - you've got it!
Oh my.
So - thanks. Thanks to the two reference providers - you know who you are - who gave me what I am told were 'glowing' references. Thanks to everyone who has sent me good wishes and congratulations - and thanks to everyone who has kept in touch either directly or through this blog for the last twelve months. It's been a long, sometimes stressful year, and your comments and support have helped me get through it all. Oh, and extra special thanks to Mrs W, who has put up with all the ups and downs and mood swings without complaint.
Well without much complaint, anyway.
Anyway, enough of that, it's beginning to sound like a bloody Oscar acceptance speech.
So - the light at the end of the tunnel probably isn't the oncoming train after all. It looks like I'm sorted. Son No 1 is also working and happy in his work, and Son No 2 is successfully completing his treatment this week as well. Onwards and upwards chaps.
Many of you have asked what is going to happen to this blog. Well, I don't want to stop - in fact, I'll probably ramp it up for the next 18 days as we count down to D-Day, and then continue on a more occasional basis, just to keep in touch.
This is what I wrote on Day 1 about the title of this blog...380 days ago!
I'm amused by the irony of this blog title. "Stuck Between Stations" was originally a nod to my refusal to grow old gracefully - stuck, if you will, between the kid I was and the 'grown-up' I refuse to be. And, of course, a reference to the wonderful Hold Steady - a group of musicians who act no older than they need to. The song itself refers to being stuck between stations on the radio - when things are not as 'crystal clear' as they might be. Something else I can relate to at the moment. But now, I'm stuck between two other stations - the job I had and the new job I've yet to find.
No longer stuck between those latter two stations. Thank God.
As for the original reason for the blog title - well, you be the judge!
And so to the soundtrack for today's post. The mighty Burt Bacharach. And from the album, a track whose title reflected the way I felt twelve months ago. Not any more though.
Take it away, Dusty!
1 comment:
Firstly congrats once again on the new job. Great news.
Secondly re-reading your first blog whatever did happen to the bass guitar???
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