Life on the bench: in my dressing gown

[Zippy]

Right, I'm off to a professional meeting in London, armed with a pocket full of business cards. Network, network, network.

Good hunting!

[zamzummim]

hmmm, I never bother ringing the agents actually, I just sent my CV, if they ring back then good, if not, then I don't think my ringing them is going to make any difference apart from the fact that I'll appear to be desperate. .

[OwlHoot]

hmmm, I never bother ringing the agents actually, I just sent my CV, if they ring back then good, if not, then I don't think my ringing them is going to make any difference apart from the fact that I'll appear to be desperate. .

But jobserve-generated emails sometimes "fall through the cracks" with their weird munged email addresses.

Agents know that, and most don't begrudge a quick initial chat with someone who may be ideal for a role.

But I agree there's little point in chasing up agents for news thereafter - If you're wanted for an interview, or had an offer, they'll hunt you to the ends of the Earth if necessary.

[RichardCranium]

Right, I'm off to a professional meeting in London, armed with a pocket full of business cards. Network, network, network.

That was a long evening. Got home about 01:30 a.m.

Dished out business cards, did my pitch.

The highlight of the day was getting a BCS Long Service pin for five years on a committee.

[RichardCranium]

I was naughty today.

Got up early and sent off a tailored CV & covering letter as requested by text message yesterday afternoon, then buggered off to Bournemouth for the day.

Had a lovely day, hot dogs, ice cream, on the pier, promenading, a rop of lager, £50 parking fine (Missus didn't put the £8 parking ticket in the car), nicely sunburned.

I cannot recall the last time I bunked off.

I feel such a fraud.

[OwlHoot]

That was a long evening. Got home about 01:30 a.m.

Dished out business cards, did my pitch.

The highlight of the day was getting a BCS Long Service pin for five years on a committee.

You're in the BCS? No wonder you're not getting the number of interviews you should.

If it's on your CV then for Pete's sake take it off. To most agents and clients, BCS => "beards and sandals".

It's almost as bad as including Mensa membership.

[Zippy]

You're in the BCS? No wonder you're not getting the number of interviews you should.

If it's on your CV then for Pete's sake take it off. To most agents and clients, BCS => "beards and sandals".

It's almost as bad as including Mensa membership.

I don't think membership helped me much either.

[RichardCranium]

You're in the BCS? No wonder you're not getting the number of interviews you should.

If it's on your CV then for Pete's sake take it off. To most agents and clients, BCS => "beards and sandals".

I am primarily going for public sector roles. They frequently have a "professional membership" desirable they want to tick off. BCS membership fulfils that.

It's almost as bad as including Mensa membership.

Back in the 1980s I went through the application process then heard a programme on the radio about MENSA that concluded you must never tell anyone you're a member because everyone treats you as a weirdo or elitist. So although I was accepted, I never took it up.

With hindsight, I wish I had taken it up. Networking hadn't been 'invented' in the 1980s; 20 years worth of membership of MENSA might have been useful by now.

[TiroFijo]

hmmm, I never bother ringing the agents actually, I just sent my CV, if they ring back then good, if not, then I don't think my ringing them is going to make any difference apart from the fact that I'll appear to be desperate. .

I think he is desperate!

[RichardCranium]

I must be becoming permie material.

Yesterday, instead of gig-seeking, we bunked off to the seaside for the day. So what happens today? I can't get up so sign in to Jobserve at almost 9:30. (And then start gossiping on CUK instead of working!)

Classic permie behaviour. Phone in sick, then late in the next day.

Bad me! I shall dock myself a day's pay, not talk to myself all day, and throw occasional dirty looks at myself all day as a punishment...

Oh! The other LtdCo Director just game me a cheery "Mornin'" and a cuddle and a cup of tea.

Who'd be a permie? I'd rather be on the bench.