Fishing for Jobs

My job search reminds me of days when I went fishing on the banks of the River Tay at the North Inch in Perth. I used to go out before dawn and spend all day casting my flies out onto the rippling surface of that beautiful river. There were times when I would be there until the early hours of the following morning and my concerned grandfather would come to find me. I had lost all track of time. I was lost in my own wonderful, peaceful world.

It never bothered me if I went for hours without a bite. I was certain that I would eventually run into frenzy of bites and I was usually right.

My last day of full employment was 13^th December 2017. Since then, I have tried every channel that I can think of to find myself a new employment. I really need to work for my own sanity as much as for  the necessary income.

This morning, I tried something different and I ran into a frenzy of bites. From six o’clock, I stood on the London-bound platform of Andover Railway Station, with a poster advertising my availability and asking commuters to request a copy of my CV. Five people took a CV and a few exchanged contact details with me. When I got home, just before eight o’clock, I already had two emails from people who would like to meet up with me ‘for a chat.’

So, what inspired me to get out and do this? Since attending the M3 Job Club in Basingstoke, one snippet that I picked up on from a session run by Maxine Hart of Wote Street People, was that we should “advertise ourselves.” I took he literally.

I have had a lot of positive reaction and have since been interviewed by The Andover Advertiser, followed by Love Andover Radio and have been live on BBC Radio Solent. You can hear my interview here! (scroll to 1:49:30)

I have been following up on these leads all day and still have more to try. These are exciting times. Perhaps it won’t be long before I reel in the big salmon of a job that I’ve been hunting for four months! I hope so.