Hello

Just a couple of things I thought might be worthy of blogging. I think Monday is the hospital radio demo day so I've got that to look forward to. I also had a review at work today and it turns out that out of the 120 people in the division I am ranked 5th due to my work output which was nice (Note to perspective employers I know this is impressive and I am available, lets talk cash).

For those of you who don't know I did English Language at university and so to keep up my written ability I entered a short story competition just for fun. I’m sure it was more fun for me than it will be for the guy reading my story! Here is an extract:

"An overwhelming sense of serenity cloaked Zach’s body which surprised him, but not enough to remove his overwhelming sense of serenity."

I know gripping stuff, right?

I've also started my ECDL qualification, I know it’s not hugely important but at least it's something to put on the old CV whilst I'm not doing much else. I have however ploughed the net looking for work experience and jobs and so might have some interesting updates soon.

Next week will be the graduate scheme interview as promised.

Right its Friday and sunny so I'm off for a nice social beer, have a good weekend

Hello digital friends,

Just some updates I will keep the short and sweet. I attended my interview at the hospital radio station which was very informative and went alright. I have to go back next week to do a demo, I think I’m up against two other people so we'll see how that goes. When the guy wasn’t looking I took a cheeky photo

I’ve stopped looking for proper jobs at the moment and have decided to go for work experience placements, also I didn’t want to give up the crime fighting I do as a part time vigilante.

So must fly,

Also there will be more updates soon I promise, oh and an interview with someone who got a graduate job.

Take care

Howdy doody

Startling new research on my life found this out

So I applied for a lot of work experience places and I found most of them required previous experience, how mental is that?

That is why you should never trust anyone who works in a bar. Every bar job requires previous experience and so to get your first bar job requires you to lie about having previous experience. Therefore all people that work in bars are liars.

After a shove from Ellie (Good helpful blog by the way, even if she does have questionable taste in films) I contacted my local hospital radio station and after filling in a pretty comprehensive application form I have an interview on Wednesday. I'll let you know how it goes.

Ciao for now

Yo,

I was thinking about what to write and for inspiration I looked back at my previous posts. I noticed that my goals were a little convoluted and that it might not be clear what I am aiming for. I figured that this was because at the time of writing I didn’t really know what I wanted.

However I do now. I really want to be a part of a production team for radio broadcasting, see how specific that is! However that is a long term goal which I would like to be doing when I’m 30 (I’m 21 now). So the short term goals are to earn some savings and get some experience that may help break into media production.

So I've been doing some research which mainly involves listening to the radio to check for styles and that. I have found that the Stephen Merchant show on BBC 6 music is so good that if he got any better we would have to burn him at the stake for being a witch (that’s a little review for you, I just did some work experience right there). I have applied for a hell of a lot of work experience so I will let you know how that goes.

I sorted out my pay so you can stop worrying now, thanks for your concerns though.

Dexter needs some help concealing some evidence so I must go.

Take care

I've had no reply to that nice man who said that I could maybe write something for him. I did email him again but still no reply, he must be super busy.

I also emailed a proposal to a linguistic magazine about an idea for an article I had. Still no reply. I did English Language at Uni by the way so it was a relevant proposal.

Maybe I should make my own magazine at least then when I email to ask if I can write something for it I would reply instantly saying "yes please do". Actually I'd probably be too busy to write back what with being a big shot magazine owner.

Pay day on Tuesday which helps soak up the rejection!

Yeah I know blog posts are like buses.

But I thought I'd just add this, you may even find it usefull. Actually you probably won't. (Also I know you're not supposed to start sentances with "but" but I thought that I would just this once, so don't tell on me)

I signed up (through work) to do an ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence) qualification. As this is a year for me to try and get some savings and bolster the CV I thought that I might as well. If you want to do this it might be available through your work or your local job centre can provide it for you.

Right Jack Bauer is interrogating a terrorist and needs me there so bye for now.

** I've just noticed this blog has had over 1200 views so thank you for that! **

Bonjour,

Right so this is what I have done in the last 15 days. I have been at work (8am-4pm) for 9 of those days. I have written a 300 word short story for a flash fiction competition (I might be able to put it up later) and I have done some research for writing magazine articles. A couple of months ago I was pestering some nice man at a magazine who ended up sending me this

Hi Will,

Sorry for taking ages getting back to you. I've had 2 (and a bit days off work) and have come back into work to find 240 emails in my inbox which need sifting through.

But judging from what you've sent me, you can definitely string a sentence together (you'd be surprised how many people who write to me can't do such a thing...)

Could you maybe drop me a line in the new year and I'll see if I can sort you out with maybe a gig preview or something...

Cheers!

I emailed him on Monday the 5th and am still waiting a reply. Now should I pester him more? He did say he was busy and it has just been the Christmas season so he may take time getting back to me and I did say patience was a virtue (I invented that saying). However the most important word on that email is "maybe" and I don't want to be strung along. So should I try and get answer out of him?

Yes I'm asking you sat there.

Take Care

Year 2009

How come it’s the year 2009 and I don’t have a hover board yet? Answer me that someone. Right I don’t really have any New Year’s resolutions, well not since 2005 when my New Year’s resolution was to not make any New Year’s resolutions ever again, so all I can say is I’ve given up on computer games as they are a drain on precious time (and as we know ‘time is money’ which works out at about £10,000 an hour or €2 for those of you that live abroad from me).

No new updates really apart from opportunities have arisen at my current job to do some administrative qualifications which are free and are done during work hours. Obviously if you get chances like this where you are not doing anything else it’s probably best to take them, tighten up the old CV. I’m also planning some extracurricular activities that may enhance the CV which I’ll let you know more about nearer the time, they my also be a photo.

Have a good year and Cheer up everyone life ain’t that bad.

You could work here!

Hello festive folk,

How are things? You look nice, is that a new tee shirt? Oh that’s a shame how long will it take to clear up? Did the doctor give you some cream for that?

Right now back to business, I was thinking of what to write here and as it’s Christmas I thought Id give you a little present. I’ve used all my experience and knowledge to come up with this nugget of advice, brace yourself here it comes:

Patience is a virtue.

I’ve found that not everyone can get back to you as quick as you would like and that the perfect job doesn’t appear ever day. I was wondering why I wasn’t in Heat magazine this week and then it hit me that success doesn’t happen over night and thus I came up with the notion of patience being a virtue (It’s catchy right?). I’m sorry I know that was like the time we got that horrible sweater as a present from our estranged aunt a few years ago that we took back to the Oxfam shop and demanded a refund.

I don’t really have any job related updates for you today apart from the joy of attending an office party that ended without anybody photocopying their arse which was nice. Although every other stereotype about working in an office is true. I’m going to take a break from job and work experience seeking during the Christmas season but I will report back after the New Year.

So merry Christmas everyone!

Oh and have a good New Year and that.

Hello good people of the web,

Right so at the moment I have a low paying job that has the require soul crushing property that all post graduate jobs seem to entail. However I obviously don’t want to be doing this till I retire. This year was supposed to be a nice relaxing year with not much responsibility which would give me the chance to focus on what I want to do with life and that. It was also supposed to let me do some work experience and sound out doing some sort of media work.

So far I have managed to complete none of these goals yet as its hard to motivate your self after working a 9 till 5. It’s also hard to find the time to do work experience when you need to pay “the man”. It would also require me cutting down my xbox playing time to just 40 hours a week which is just unacceptable. So I’m in a bit of a predicament as I need to do things that I just don’t have time to do. I was considering a masters but a nice man at the BBC told me that experience is more valuable than qualifications which makes me think it might be a bit of a waste of money for me, although It might open some doors. So I’m sill considering it. I might just flip a coin.

However the xbox in our house has just taken a stand to our constant requests to work at unreasonable times for unreasonable hours and has ended its own life. This should lead to more free time which coupled with some encouraging words I received from a magazine editor has given me some new found motivation. So it is highly likely that you will receive a CV from me as I am going to plaster it everywhere, so if you see it pass it on to who ever can help me. I will keep you updated with what’s going on and pass on any advice I gain.

Right my spider senses are tingling I believe there is a tea bag dying to be used in my kitchen.

Bye for now

True to my word I conducted an interview on your behalf. Hopefully this might help a little bit if you are considering applying for a masters degree.

So tell us what is the official title of the masters you are studying and what qualification will you receive at the end of it?

I’m doing Forensic Speech Science (sounds more complicated than it is). I will soon have mastered science, apparently, but not the world of arts.

You had to move from the town you had been living in for the last three years to a new place and the course is not free, so how are you handling the expense? Was there some sort of loan or grant available?

I did apply for funding, but it was just pot luck (or maybe based on whether you had an interesting name) so I didn’t get it. I missed the deadline for some other sort of funding too ‘cos I didn’t decide I wanted to do the course until quite late on. There is money out there, you’ve just got to be lucky to get it. Or have a good name. Or do something like town planning. Or starve. I’m working a few shifts a week at a restaurant but that doesn’t cover living expenses/rent. Get yourself a girlfriend with money.

How much of a step up is it from doing a BA?

I’ve only had one piece of work assessed so far so I can’t say in terms of that, but there’s a lot more independence to it. Undergrad felt like college at times, now you’ve got no-one to hold your hand (sorry Will). My timetable has increased by 500% if that’s any indicator of workload.

What’s the single best thing about being a master?

Having a focus on something you enjoy doing. Free printing.

What’s the worst thing about doing a masters?

Knowing there’s little room for finding more education to throw yourself into before finding work. Unless you want to spend your 20s doing a PhD.

How much do you think your job prospects will increase when you have your new qualification?

Hopefully the CREDIT CRUNCH will have passed by next year and there’ll be jobs a’plenty. In terms of having a masters, I guess it depends what I’m applying for. If I want to be forensic linguist then I’ll still have a few years left of training. Otherwise, it can’t hurt, surely?

If I was unsure on whether or not to do a master’s and came to you for advice, what would you say?

If you do one, make sure it’s something you definitely want to do. It’s a year focussed on a relatively narrow area so you’d better enjoy it. Research job prospects - you might be able to get a masters through employment.

And finally if you were a tree, what sort of tree would you be?

I’d be a Penelope Tree. Testament to how bad a joke that it, I’ll have to explain that Penelope Tree was a human being and not a tree.

So there you go, if you have any questions you want to ask leave a comment and I will do my best to answer it.

Oh also thanks go to Nathan without him this dedication would not be possile.

Thats all for now sports fan's.

Yo, what up shorties?

I would like to start by sharing a business joke with you, so make sure you're prepared for the hilarity that will ensue

What insect is good at maths?

An Account-ant!

Ha what a brilliant joke. Right now back to business, so apparently there’s a depression, recession, and a lot of other words ending in –ssion happening right now which is affecting the job market. As I am always looking at employment vacancy’s in the hope of getting closer to my dream job (being Spiderman) it’s having an affect on me and is actually turning my upside down frown back round. There is definitely a slump in the job market and as I don’t have some sort of master economic knowledge I can’t offer great advice.

However I just wanted to give you something to think about, it might be worth while looking at further education. Think about it, as there’s not a lot going at the moment it might be worth looking to get some extra qualifications. It may be possible to get funding or a loan to help you and then by the time you finish everything might be good again thus avoiding the whole economic crisis thing. Anyway as I’m a nice guy I’m going to ask some questions about the pros and cons of further education and I will report back my findings.

So keep your eyes peeled for the great depression and keep checking back for updates!

Oh also I think I should mention the great victory that the world has been talking about. How special that we were alive for this historical event, an event the world will never forget. Who would have thought that we would witness the first black man to win? I guess what I’m trying to say is well done Lewis Hamilton, we knew you could do it!

Hi gang,

Ahh kids, children are the future but check out these kids who are stealing all the now.

This little happy chappy is Leonardo Panayiotou and why is he so happy? Maybe it's because he's just landed a 15k a year contract by a major racing company. Oh and he's 4 years old. How annoying is that? It shouldnt be that easy to land a job.

Oh but wait it gets easier apparently. Leo Aguero is about to be offered a professional football contract by Spanish team Atletico Madrid. How old is he you ask? Well little Leo is at this moment in time chilling out in his mother's womb. His mother happens to be the daughter of football god Diego Maradona and his father happens to be the Argentinean sensation Sergio Aguero (Pictured Below).

I'm pretty sure that I am better at football than that womb kid so the question is, where the hell is my professional contract?

That’s it for today.

Oh an by the way If you didn’t guess, I was pretending to be an English speaking German person today.

Auf Wiedersehen

Hola, (Im Spanish this week)

This weeks topic is the prospect of attending the dreaded Interview. I know what you're thinking, you're thinking "What gives this Spanish guy the right to tell me about interviews?!" Well fair point that's a great question, well done.

In my life I've had 3 interviews, I know I'm not sure how I managed to fit them all in as well. But I'll have you know that out of those 3 I got 2 of the jobs, so 66% is a pretty good ratio and also I'm not bragging but I was offered the third job and turned it down (alright a little bit of bragging).

One of my interviews which was an hour long, first involved five minutes of introductions and small talk and then 55 minutes talking about Call of Duty so I guess all those hours weren't wasted. I left the interview advising the interviewer to try throwing C4 at terrorists' heads (100% the truth). So maybe try that.

The other two interviews are probably more useful (although equally succesful, again not bragging). I think the secret is to prepare. Read up on the company, look at the history of it. I also found commonly asked interview questions on the web somewhere and so you can prepare answers. Try not to be repetitive with your answers, if you have used your previous job as an example of experience try using university or school or just general life experiences as it shows versatility.

Also I think luck plays a part, sometimes there are some people you just won't get on with and some you will. Just be confident, prepared and oh look nice.

Gracias, Adios

Spanish Will

Howdy y'all

Don't worry I haven’t really turned into a Cowboy or an American from the South it was just a really sophisticated literary device I just used for a bit of variation. Anyway back to business, as the last post was about rejection I thought I would balance the blog out with something more positive.

One day a few weeks ago I was awoken by the postman rattling about with my letter box. So I got up looked at my phone which read 12:32 and saw a crisp white envelope nestling on my door mat. I opened it and to my surprise saw this little mother.

I dont know why I was surprised I mean I had been applying for hundreds of thousands of jobs (possibly a slight exaggeration). I rang and confirmed I would be attending and than set about researching the role. No matter what the job is I personally think it is of vital importance that you prepare before the interview. Look at the employers website if there is one and prepare answers for common questions that are asked in interviews such as:

Q. Name an example when you completed a task on your own?
A. I downed a pint in 6 seconds last friday night.

Preparation and research is key and while that is basic advice it needs to be said. This should enable to you to answer better than that example up there. Anyway I researched the hell out of that job and attended the interview and I'll let y'all make your own cotton picking minds up on how it went (maybe I am a cowboy after all).

That's all for now folks

W

Ps. The next post will be a more in depth look at interviews.