My new job
Category NoneI realise it has been - ahem - a while since I have blogged so a small update is due I think.
Naturally I was in on the sale of BE to Bluewave from the beginning so I knew I was on the lookout for a new job. I had spent quite a while refining my search and I now knew that I wanted to be working as the chief admin support for the Chief Exec or similar of a charitable organisation. It is just where I am meant to be. I spent a while getting my heart stamped on - and my thanks to those who listened to my rants whilst that lot was going on - as I went for several interviews.
Finally, literally a week before I was redundant, I got a phonecall from a guy I had met at a netwoking lunch the previous month. I was unashemedly using these lunches for job-hunting and had told G what I was looking for when I met him. I had a previous connection with his organisation through a previous job so I had made sure I caught up with him that day. When he called me he had just discovered that his Chief Exec's Exec Assistant was having a year's sabbatical to go travelling and - star of stars - he had told his Chief Exec about me and - miracle of miracles - she had said to go ahead and set up a meeting for us. So, somewhat nervously, I set off for my, very informal, interview with D.
Half an hour in she offered me the job - just like that - on the spot! Oh and they thought they couldn't afford me! In fact they pay very well for the charitable sector and I ended up with a small pay-rise!
So:
Who? The Thistle Foundation. They are a fabulous organisation who provide teams of personal care assistants for physically-disabled people to enable them to 'get great lives'. We support them to live their lives as independantly as they want and to take risks in doing things for themselves. This might be as simple as doing their shopping on their own or as complex as getting married.
What? Assistant to the Directorate. I work mainly for the Chief Exec organising her very busy schedule and life and I also work for other 5 Directors to varying degrees with their portfolios. Anything from making tea to study course admin, from diary managment to research on whatever D needs.
Where? Edinburgh.
Verdict so far? I LOVE IT. EVERY DARN MINUTE OF IT! My boss laughs, a lot, and is just wonderful to work for. I work for an organisation who really, REALLY care about training their staff - I have 10 chuncks of Induction to attend after I get home from Lotusphere - and they have serious training planning meetings and budgets to match. I work for an organisation who put people at the heart of everything they do - it is their philosophy - and it is wonderful to be part of it.
Who's Caroline? She is the lady I am taking over from for 2008 and she is off to Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, New Zealand and Australia. On her own - for the most part anyway - and in a wheelchair. Go Caroline - have a wonderful time, keep us posted and I'll keep your seat warm for you whilst you are away!
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Comments
Love to hear success stories.
Posted by Curt Stone At 16:53:15 On 28/12/2007 | - Website - |
Posted by Kitty At 17:31:25 On 28/12/2007 | - Website - |
Congratulations (again) Mrs E! It's great to hear that you've found a job that you love. Which reminds me, I must blog about something similar ..???
Posted by Frank At 18:17:13 On 28/12/2007 | - Website - |
And the big question now: will you still be able to come to Lotusphere?
Posted by Joe Litton At 18:43:00 On 28/12/2007 | - Website - |
Posted by Julian Woodward At 12:21:01 On 29/12/2007 | - Website - |
@ Frank: Seriously? Oh do tell. I hope it is the kind you were looking for.
@ Joe: That is the wonderful thing - working for a person-centred organisation they only too happily honoured all pre-booked holidays so my going to Barcelona and Lotusphere was never threatened!
I only have the job for a year at present as Caroline has been promised she can have it back when she returns if she wishes it, but a lot can change in a year and I have a good feeling about this one.
I *am* living the dream and it is great.
@ Julian: Ooh weight. Just what I don't need!
Posted by Kitty At 13:26:23 On 29/12/2007 | - Website - |
... and I signed on for a 6 month contract 4+ years ago. They told me I would train someone and they would take over from there. Things happen. About two months into my contract, they bought another company and I became a full time employee.
Like you said, you never know. Best wishes! Happy New Year!
Posted by Curt Stone At 20:28:29 On 30/12/2007 | - Website - |