all change?

[llywela]

So.

Over the last couple of weeks I decided it was time to start seriously looking for a new job. Where I am has been...well, I love my volunteers. I never would have stayed as long as this if I wasn't so attached to them. But the job itself? That hasn't been fun for a long time. I'm frustrated by lots of things. My Boss especially. I find her attitude incredibly de-motivating, and I hate feeling like that. So it is definitely time to move on.

Of course, having made this decision, catching two heavy colds in succession kind of put a damper on the whole job-hunt thing. It's been speculative, rather than in any way serious up till now. Putting my toes in the water to see what's out there, but without actually filling in any forms. Mostly because I've forgotten how to.

So then. This afternoon? I'm told my position is probably going to be made redundant at the end of the financial year, due to a funding shortfall.

This isn't a surprise. It's been coming - the funding problems go back quite a long way. We've lost a couple of development workers already that we dearly wanted to keep. Other staff have had cuts in their hours. So this was coming, and was another good reason to start looking around. Just...now it's more official. Not quite official yet, but it will be.

I should be sad. I should be a bit scared. I probably will be. It's scary to think that I might not find anything. That I could end up unemployed and unable to pay for rent or cat food. Mostly, though, it's almost a relief. It's a deadline to work to. It's the kick up the backside I need to make me take the job hunt seriously.

So I have to start seriously, seriously looking for a new job. I hope there's something out there that suits me. I've been in this place for six and a half years now. That's a long time to get out of practice with the whole job hunt thing, and to lose confidence.

I have a big bar of chocolate left over from Christmas. I kinda think maybe tonight was the night I've been saving it for.

Comments

[galathea-snb.livejournal.com]

Hey, we both get back in the groove of job hunting and keep motivating each other! *hugs* It's good that the 'official news' happen to come when you more or less decided to move on on your own, so it didn't come as much of a shock to you. I have no idea about the job situation in Cardiff, but I can't imagine that it should be too difficult for someone with your resume over the last 6.5 years to find a new job. Maybe something where they would actually acknowledge your dedication and organisational and people skills more than in your current employment.

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

Yes! We can nag each other. It will be really nice and cyclical and drive us both crazy! Perfect!

I spent most of my walk home tonight thinking about how no one will ever have a clean cup in that office again. This amused me more than it should have. Also, I made a list of everything that's mine that I'll have to remove before I leave. Apparently, in my head I am already gone.

Tomorrow you must throw me out of the VIP room if I don't look like I'm actually filling in that application form I started earlier in the week. I need the practice, clearly.

[galathea-snb.livejournal.com]

*giggle* hey, you know, crazy is the new normal .. or something like that! :D

*makes note to kick Jo out of the VIP room* ... not that I would be the poster child for discipline here or anything! *lol*

[ehlwyen.livejournal.com]

*ears perk up* Did I hear someone mention nagging?!!! *excited* Woohoo! I won't let you girls down! And I'm going to volunteer Nikki as well to shape both you girls into motivated excellent job-applicants! *heart*

Sorry about the short window to find a new job, but at least you're looking at the silver lining of it being a motivator. :D When does the financial year end for you, btw?

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

*prepares to duck and hide and be organised*

The financial year ends at end of March. It isn't a solid deadline - this isn't official yet. And there'll be a six week notice period. But it'll be around then. So I need to get cracking, really.

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

*prepares to knuckle down...*

*sigh*

I suspect job hunting is going to be boring. How is yours coming along?

[galathea-snb.livejournal.com]

Ooh I didn't know that 'financial year' meant only til the end of March!! Damn, that's short notice. Here you would have at least a notification period of 3-6 months (depending on your contract) after 6.5 years of employment at the same place. Wow that sucks! *hugs*

Job hunting is annoyig mostly. You know the jobs I applied to the other week, they wanted someone with more experience in the field. I might have an opportunity to go through a 6 months training/working program to re-connect with my IT knowledge though, getting up to date and expand on IT project management and the latest development in network technology. I'll see if that works out. I am not sure if I really want to go back into the IT sector though. *shrugs*

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

I'd get six weeks of official notice, when it comes. It isn't long. Stupid funding.

Job hunting is very annoying. It's so difficult to try out new things - once you've started down a certain career path, all your options seem to be reduced, because that's where your experience lies. No one is willing to give you a chance in another field. So taking chances becomes harder. *sigh*

[shaw012145.livejournal.com]

Hope you have updated your CV already ... could not bear to think you and Poppy might not be together for much longer ... good luck ::: HUGS :::

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

Oh, updating the CV. Another thing I have to do. Luckily, I had already gone through my files and dug it out...

Don't worry - Poppy isn't going anywhere.

[shaw012145.livejournal.com]

Relief (Poppy).

Now Agent 1.3 ... get a move on ... don't drag those heels ... I don't want you stressing out any more than necessary ::: HUGS :::

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

Stressing out is inevitable, I think, but I'm sure something will come up.

[geordiebint.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear that about the job, but at least they've given you fair warning. I hope that you can find something you like before then. I don't envy you with the job-hunting, and I don't know what it's like in the sector you work with, but good luck with it all :)

[geordiebint.livejournal.com]

ETA: I just re-read and realised you said at the end of the financial year. That's not as fair warning as I thought when I read it before, but hopefully you will still find something before then :)

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

Okay, I was calm until you said that and now I'm panicking! It isn't all that long, really. Job paper is out tomorrow...

[geordiebint.livejournal.com]

:O I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that!

It is quite a way away, don't panic!

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Jules. I've just been dipping my toes in the water the last couple of weeks, but now I'm going to have to actually knuckle down to it!

[bagpuss1966.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear this, Jo, but I'm sure something better is out there for you. :)

Hope you're enjoying the choccy!

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Janet.

I managed half the chocolate before giving up...it's a big bar!

[kelzies.livejournal.com]

Good luck with the job hunting, hope you find that perfect one just waiting for you *hugs*

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Kel! I hope so, too.

[jayres.livejournal.com]

Good luck with the job hunting.:D
It sounds like it is as much a relief as a worry to be changing jobs.

Hope you're feeling 100% soon too.

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I think it's more than time to move on. I just hope I can find something so that there is no break in pay cheques.

[rosie55.livejournal.com]

You always impress me with your organisational and people skills, your caring attitude and your sheer hard work. Just from seeing what you do on LJ and Yahoo, it's obvious that you are extremely literate, consistent, organised and methodical, write good reports, you are computer- savvy, can even do graphics so you are very versatile. With your current track record, surely excellent references, and the smashing personality which must shine through, I would hope you would be in a strong position in looking for another post. You have great people skills and I bet even if your miserable boss didn't come up with a glowing reference there will be other people you have come into contact with through your work who would give you a reference. Do have confidence in yourself, you have a huge amount to offer an employer.
Is it worth registering with a temp agency if you don't find anything immediately? Sometimes that can be a way of keeping some money coming in and of being on the spot so employers see how efficient you are and decide to take you on longer term!
It seems as though it was the right time for you to move on anyway - the very best of luck, somebody will be very fortunate to get you. Hopefully soon!

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

Aww. Thanks for the pep. I kind of need it, since I don't feel organised or capable at all most days, especially in work, where there is just no leadership at all.

Fingers crossed something good comes along.

But I will miss the very snazzy digital camera we have in the office...*G*

[babelmira.livejournal.com]

You and everyone else in the charity sector is job hunting right now. We've had much the same thing going on in our place and the atmosphere is poisonous.

I want to go as well - they're talking about staffing the entire bureau on volunteers leaving just one paid staffer, bar the manager. But I need more experience and a decent time for a reference. So, I'm here till may at least.

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

Aye, the amount of funding available for the voluntary sector is dwindling more and more each year. And yet the sector is being called upon to provide more and more. I blame the Olympics, myself.

Much as I enjoy the voluntary sector, I'm looking much further afield for the next job. It might be time for something completely different!

Best of luck with your situation.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_carly_/]

Good luck with the job hunting, Jo. It can definitely be a pain in the arse, but I'm sure there's a great job out there with your name on it :)

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

cheers, Carly. It is a nuisance, isn't it! Best of luck to us both, eh.

[vltavska.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, timing is totally key here- you needed a gentle nudge, and hey, got a giant push... good luck and all that jazz, but what I really want to say is, you barely need it, so I'm just looking forward to hearing about your shiny new job in a new place that will now have clean coffee cups!!! *hug*

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

Timing is everything, huh.

I'd kind of like to fastforward to when I actually have a shiny new job now. This searching and application process is so tedious!

[callistosh65.livejournal.com]

Sounds like it was meant to be if you were already thinking about it before you got this news. And there is really nothing worse than working for a de-motivating boss..The very best of luck with the job hunt and it's a cliché I know, but the riding a bicycle idea is really true. Fill in one form, get one interview under your belt and it'll all come back to you.

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know what you're saying is absolutely right. I just need to get back on the horse. I just thought I was going to have time to practice at my leisure - a few speculative applications to get back into the swing of it, and so on. But no, it's going to be a mad, bad desperate rush for employment before the axe falls. Stupid funding.

It'll be okay. I'm just having a minor freak-out at the moment. Thanks for stopping by with reassurance :)

[agentxpndble.livejournal.com]

:::HUG::: I'm getting to this post pretty late... I'm really, really sorry about this. And I totally understand - I'm going through exactly the same thing here (except for the layoff part) - And I'm all wrapped up in fear about looking for work again and money stuff and changing jobs... I wish I could offer words of comfort and/or hope but my own mental state is pretty shaky right now. :-(

Anyway, enough about me - Please let us know when you are in need of mental support. We are here for you. :::HUGS:::

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

Thanks *hugs*

The fear is kind of topmost at the moment - fear of change after getting so comfortable in my dull little routine, fear of not finding something decent in time, fear of no one wanting to employ me, fear of having to start over...I thought I was going to have time to just dip my toes in the water, try a few speculative applications to get back into the swing, and then wait for something I really wanted to do. Now it's just going to be a mad rush to get as many applications in as possible as quickly as possible, because the process can take a while and I've only got two months.

I was freaking out all day on Friday. Calmer now, but still worried.

Best of luck to us both, eh.