Blogs: Jack is astounded by recent events

Jack has finished his degree. His job hunt is proving a long and difficult road.

Well, funny how things transpire. I am an optimist and a believer that anything can happen, yet even I am astounded by the recent turn of events.

As you may recall, I have been plodding on for the last year or so, after becoming disheartened at coming so close to achieving what I would consider my dream job; working for The Racing Post (aka The Bible in some particular circles). I went down to Canary Wharf like some form of northern cliché - starry-eyed at the skyscrapers, lost in the hustle and bustle and astounded by my surroundings, slightly in awe of it all. It was £5 a pint, £7 a shoeshine, and a lifestyle that quite frankly didn’t appeal, so we went our separate ways. That was July 2010, and since then I have delved, forayed and quite frankly worked my cantaloupes off, with everything geared towards the four most important days of the year: The Cheltenham Festival.

Prestbury Park is my Mecca, and the pilgrimage, when I do eventually make it, will be a thing of beauty, which no doubt will take my affections to new heights. Working in a bookmakers meant the dreams were on hold, and instead the formbook had more flicks than a misbehaving child's right ear. It was successful, and paid off both financially and professionally. With my stock rising, I even received praise from my old man’s best friend, who said, ‘he’s not that bad your lad’. Quite the compliment in West Yorkshire - believe me.

Anyway, to make a long story short, Cheltenham came and went, and after dedicating my life to the festival, it was something of an anticlimax after it was finished. Like most things in life, the thrill is in the chase.

As such, the last couple of months have been quite the drag - a few highlights sure, but nothing really to sink my teeth into. It has been rather lacklustre. So when a company approached me regarding working in Gibraltar after seeing my profile on LinkedIn, it was quite spontaneous, but I liked it. After speaking to a few people out there, I decided to pursue the interest, and although the first foray actually ended at a dead end, I persevered.

This led to a conversation with one Victor Chandler regarding an online content role; looking after the promotions, write ups, general maintenance and monitoring on the firm’s website. I had a phone interview about three weeks ago, which seemed rather productive, and they appeared keen. I was told to expect an assessment to be emailed through in the next week or so. It never arrived. Cripes. I was then asked to do another phone interview another week later, but the fact the assessment never even arrived was surely not a good sign, right?

This phone interview was with a nice chap named Ed, who runs the division and said given my background - business, bookmaking and writing - the assessment was quite unnecessary, and they want me to start ASAP. Plain unbelievable, in all honesty. The only qualm would be moving over to Gibraltar. That particular issue didn’t take too much thinking time, however. Much better job, more credibility, better weather and job prospects. I have accepted, handed my notice in to Coral, and I’m due to start there 16 July.

The next blog from me will be in Glorious Gibraltar. As one of the teenagers at work says, ‘Don’t hate - appreciate’.

The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner - @JJMSports