Well I really didn't expect to be writing my last post today.
So the assessment day went rather well. Again it was a bit different to my previous experiences but this time in a very good way!
The interview and discussion about my prepared work I thought went perfectly. I didn't panic under the pressure of the questions like I have done before and didn't waffle or bodge any answers. My work seemed to impress and the conversation flowed well between myself and the interviewers.
Following that I had a communications test, group exercise and test on different scenarios that could happen in the role. I didn't really struggle except from a few of the questions in the final test but overall I was pleased with my day and was exceptionally thankful to the people conducting the interviews and assessments for being so hospitable and generous.
What I particularly enjoyed and found useful was a chat with a few of the recent grads on the scheme over lunch which was very informal and honest. This really helped me feel at ease and see that this role would be something that I would find interesting.
When the day was over I went into the city to meet my friend Jason from university and a couple of hours later I was thrilled to receive a call in which they offered me a place! I was delighted and shocked: particularly as I was under the impression that I would be told next week! My job hunt was over!
So this, I'm afraid, is the end of Get Jon A Job!
I have really enjoyed writing this blog and will miss putting my thoughts and opinions into words. Luckily for you, you fantastic reader, this is not the end of my blogging days! I also write for a political themed blog called The Political Animal. So if you don't mind me being a bit politically minded and intellectual at times and are wondering what to do with the void that not reading this blog will leave, there's your answer. Also, it's not just me writing that blog, there are a number of authors mainly from my old school.
Before I go, I would also like to thank and wish the best of luck to a few people and organisations.
First off, I know that I'm not the only one looking for work out there. During my time writing the blog and updating the twitter account I came across two people who are also struggling.
One, Lucy in Falmouth who is looking for work in the sector of film and production - keep it going and I'm sure you'll find something amazingly cool very soon! Her blog is here.
Two, Rachael in Liverpool. An MA student who is looking for work in politics which I personally know from experience is hard. Your further studies and political contacts will no doubt find you something fantastic too! Her blog is here.
I would also like to give a mention to Karen, whose Singchester blog is one of the best ones I have come across and was very kind in her words about my ideas. Thank you again!
Other people who have tweeted about me are: @michaeljdsmith and @charlie_elise. Thank you both!
All of those people above are worth following on Twitter here:
Next, I would like to thank the wonderful staff at Jobsite (@jobsiteuk) and Milkround (@milkroundonline) who tweeted about my blog posts and saw my page viewings soar as a consequence. Without your help and encouragement then I wouldn't have thought this was worth it and I am so thankful for such simple yet effective help. Please do keep up this brilliant work and help as many people like me in the future! You are a credit to your industry and were genuinely helping a graduate find work opportunities and it made me respect you so much more than your competitors, so a massive thank you.
I would also like to say a quick thanks to people who worked at organisations or groups that I tweeted and replied, "follow friday"d or just tweeted about my blog - whether it was a job I applied for or discussion I was involved in. Not only did that make me smile and help promote my campaign, it made the effort feel worth it even if I was unsuccessful in the roles and I got a job outside of Twitter and the blog.
So thank you to: @stdunstansnews @WarwicKnowledge @BraveNewTalent @colalife @ShakespeareBT @uclanfeatures and @NMMGreenwich.
Finally, a thank you to my friends and family who have helped and encouraged me throughout writing this blog. You all know who you are but thank you so much for your help and support. It meant the world to me.
Those who really helped are: @ml_sheppard @wopunga @sabottle and @charlie109.
What I would say to anyone who has read this who is in the same boat and is hesitant about starting a similar campaign, is DEFINITELY DO IT! This could be the future of job hunting and to be a pioneer and inspire others would only inflate my ego to incalculable levels. In all seriousness though, this was a real joy to do and I almost wish it wouldn't end... except that there is a pay check awaiting me in the path I have now got myself on.
Right, well I think that really is everything. Except the last thing to mention is that you can still follow me on Twitter, my personal account is @jon244. Trust me to make the most irrelevant blog post the longest one. I humbly apologise.
Over and out,
Jon
"We must be the change we want to see in the world." Mahatma Gandhi
Friday 9 September 2011
Monday 5 September 2011
Fearing assessment centres
Tomorrow I have an assessment day for a graduate scheme. My track record so far is not fantastic, but also not disastrous.
This will be my fourth assessment day, and have had some similar experiences yet each time they have had their unique moments.
What I liked about the email that I received before the assessment day was that there was preliminary work linked to the work itself. I think this is a brilliant idea as it makes the job application more important to me and gets me into the role more, and it allows the company to see my own work in action.
While seeing my teamwork skills by putting me and strangers in a fictional desert where we have to prioritise items may be empirically useful, but a scenario such as that is actually unrealistic and not truthful in real life.
I'm still expecting the useless time-wasting scenarios, however the prepared work and discussion about that I hope will be a prominent part of the decision process and allow me to shine properly.
I'll be updating about how it goes maybe tomorrow, but maybe the day after - it will be a long day!
Jon
This will be my fourth assessment day, and have had some similar experiences yet each time they have had their unique moments.
What I liked about the email that I received before the assessment day was that there was preliminary work linked to the work itself. I think this is a brilliant idea as it makes the job application more important to me and gets me into the role more, and it allows the company to see my own work in action.
While seeing my teamwork skills by putting me and strangers in a fictional desert where we have to prioritise items may be empirically useful, but a scenario such as that is actually unrealistic and not truthful in real life.
I'm still expecting the useless time-wasting scenarios, however the prepared work and discussion about that I hope will be a prominent part of the decision process and allow me to shine properly.
I'll be updating about how it goes maybe tomorrow, but maybe the day after - it will be a long day!
Jon
Friday 2 September 2011
Breaking into Westminster.
After studying and working in politics briefly, I am keen to find meaningful employment in this sector - whether it is within or outside the doors of Westminster.
Despite politicians having a bad press right now universally, I believe that everyone who aspires to become an MP does so with good and honest intentions. I feel that I could enter that world but would get frustrated with the system, that nothing could be truly changed on my own.
Instead, I would enjoy working on behalf of politicians, government departments, think tanks or lobbying organisations.
What I love about politics is the ability to make changes happen and make other people's lives better. Having that kind of power is intriguing and I would love to be part of a decision process of some kind.
Working for an organisation that lobbies the government possibly would be the most rewarding role. Particularly for a charity or not-for-profit organisation that really makes a difference to the people or things they focus on. In a role which was about policy decisions for such organisations or campaigning and coordinating is something which I have skills in and am naturally competent in.
I have applied for such roles before and got an interview for a three month internship for a leading charity. While this was one of my earlier interviews and I made some errors on the day, I have learnt from these mistakes and am still keen to carry out such roles.
Having worked in Westminster under my new MP last summer, I got a taste of life as a parliamentary assistant. I spent time in the offices at Portcullis House as well as following my MP on constituency days as well as sitting in on the surgery. I was trusted with important casework and assisted the other staff in administration, organisation and preparation for a number of things including questions to the House, meeting a local organisation and implementing an entirely new filing system.
I feel I got a vast amount of experience from spending time in Westminster, and have applied for similar permanent roles. The difficulty is that I got a response from one such position saying that they had 150 people apply for the one assistant role - so I stood no chance!
Breaking into Westminster (metaphorically) seems harder than breaking up with Tom on Myspace.
In other news: I'm currently doing some part time work to tide me over at my first job, I have had another meeting with the council's archive today about the Historypin project, something that will take a while it seems, and have an assessment centre on Tuesday for a graduate scheme in marketing strategy which is in Oxford (a role you may have read me talking about the application process before, well this should be my first and only trip to Oxford unless I get the job - fingers crossed!)
At least things are moving, of course I'll keep you readers updated with any further progress on anything!
Typed with kindness and gratitude,
Jon
CV: http://goo.gl/NzGU1
LinkedIn: http://goo.gl/jsuyJ
Twitter: @getjonajob
"Healthy citizens are the greatest asset any country can have." Sir Winston Churchill
Despite politicians having a bad press right now universally, I believe that everyone who aspires to become an MP does so with good and honest intentions. I feel that I could enter that world but would get frustrated with the system, that nothing could be truly changed on my own.
Instead, I would enjoy working on behalf of politicians, government departments, think tanks or lobbying organisations.
What I love about politics is the ability to make changes happen and make other people's lives better. Having that kind of power is intriguing and I would love to be part of a decision process of some kind.
Working for an organisation that lobbies the government possibly would be the most rewarding role. Particularly for a charity or not-for-profit organisation that really makes a difference to the people or things they focus on. In a role which was about policy decisions for such organisations or campaigning and coordinating is something which I have skills in and am naturally competent in.
I have applied for such roles before and got an interview for a three month internship for a leading charity. While this was one of my earlier interviews and I made some errors on the day, I have learnt from these mistakes and am still keen to carry out such roles.
Having worked in Westminster under my new MP last summer, I got a taste of life as a parliamentary assistant. I spent time in the offices at Portcullis House as well as following my MP on constituency days as well as sitting in on the surgery. I was trusted with important casework and assisted the other staff in administration, organisation and preparation for a number of things including questions to the House, meeting a local organisation and implementing an entirely new filing system.
I feel I got a vast amount of experience from spending time in Westminster, and have applied for similar permanent roles. The difficulty is that I got a response from one such position saying that they had 150 people apply for the one assistant role - so I stood no chance!
Breaking into Westminster (metaphorically) seems harder than breaking up with Tom on Myspace.
In other news: I'm currently doing some part time work to tide me over at my first job, I have had another meeting with the council's archive today about the Historypin project, something that will take a while it seems, and have an assessment centre on Tuesday for a graduate scheme in marketing strategy which is in Oxford (a role you may have read me talking about the application process before, well this should be my first and only trip to Oxford unless I get the job - fingers crossed!)
At least things are moving, of course I'll keep you readers updated with any further progress on anything!
Typed with kindness and gratitude,
Jon
CV: http://goo.gl/NzGU1
LinkedIn: http://goo.gl/jsuyJ
Twitter: @getjonajob
"Healthy citizens are the greatest asset any country can have." Sir Winston Churchill
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