Blogs: Jack's job log: 6

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

People who have been in rather unpleasant situations have often said that it is the build up and the suspense that is often more daunting and terrifying than the actual end consequence. This is usually the case through the employment process.

The culmination of application, phone call and interview comes down to one single message - yes or no. In the same manner as pulling off a plaster, it is much easier to do it all in one go, quick and sharp, as opposed to a long, drawn out process weighing things up which only heightens the tension.

With that in mind, it was with great irritation that I have had to start this process again. I had acquired a very good position of a lead customer services job with a high street bank, which I was very pleased with.  However, as with most things in my life, there is usually a hidden bump in the road and I fell over it, much like a horse falling at the final fence.

I was told that 'due to unforeseen circumstances, I will no longer be starting on the previously agreed date of November 22 2010.’ That was it, no explanation, no reasoning or rationale. Unbelievable. Adding insult to injury, there is no way of contacting these sorts of companies. No email address and no phone number, so they don’t even have to explain the decision.

There is a famous quotation that goes 'When life gives you lemons, make lemonade'. How very warm and fuzzy, like an advert for a child’s present in the run up to Christmas. However, when life gives you frustration you... ? Answers on a postcard please. 

The problem is there is nothing you can do, except start the long drawn out process of advertising yourself and selling yourself, as if you were an antique wardrobe in the middle of a busy market.

‘It's very old!’ ‘No, it's very experienced, and still here, sturdy as ever’. ‘It has marks down the side of it!’ ‘Signs of character, it's been through a lot’.

A wise salesman once said, ‘to make a sale, you need to accentuate the positives, hide the negatives’. It is something that I have done many times during my own trading and my own business, and as of yet have been unable to transfer successfully to myself. For some fundamental reason I seem to be stuck with this one. Ironic, because if it was a box of party streamers, or women's jeans, or St Patrick’s day merchandise, my past as shown, its not a problem.
 
I will work on my own description for next month. Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year. Actually, that doesn't feel right. I don't even mean it, try not to argue with your families, and remember, always give your nan the last Yorkshire pudding, she deserves it.