a little bit of a disaster

So I went for the interview today...I was literally in there for 15 mins. It was awful, i didn't know what to say, he didn't know what to ask, and I just can't quite grasp the whole interview thing. One tip i picked up from BM1 & 2 on Tueday was to thoroughly research about the company before I go. So I looked at all sorts of things, and I never got asked anything once about the company. It's still a good tip, a very good one, but i never got the chance to tell the man everything I knew about the company.

So I think it was everso slightly disasterous, and could have been far better, but I have no idea what went on. I zoned out completely, and well, I guess I'll have to wait and see. I don't hold out much hope though for that. Nevermind, at least i got an interview.

Interviews are problems for me. When I was younger I couldn't care less, quite frankly and interview was an interview. If I got the job, I got the job, if I didn't, I didn't. I never had a problem wih nerves or anything. I guess that because these days it's mega important, far more than it ever used to be, because I always had a job. So now I get really nervy, I waffle complete nonsense, I get confused with what I'm trying to say, and things go in and out my brain in seconds. If I don't catch them there and then that's it they're gone, lost and forgotten. I don't really have any idea what's happened whilst i've been in one. It's like i am in a completely different zone. I'm not going to geta job like that though am I? It's absolutely nuts, and it's just making things so much harder than it should otherwise be. RELAX Ashley.

I guess though if I wasn't bothered about getting a job I wouldn't get nervouse, then i'd probably ace it. Perhaps I just need to fool myself into thinking it doesn't matter...but unfortunately it does....booooooooooo....is there any key way to relax before an interview?

Some people think nerves make you perfom better. I think that's a load of nonsense!!

A meeting in Norwich

Ok so this morning I went to see businessman 1 and businessman 2, which I shall now refer to as BM1 and BM2.

Basically we sat and had a chat about their businesses, what I am looking for, what i can do, what I do do and various other bits and pieces. They know one or two people who are recruiting and taking people on, and are going to contact them to say that I am a worthy candidate.

So we'll wait and see. Can't go into too much detail really. I mostly found out about their visions for the futures of their businesses, and talked about what they do, what they wish to achieve. Both have very different businesses, and yet they can also interlink on some ideas because of what they have created.

So after leaving I came home, and BM1 called to say that he had spoke to one of his assosciates, and he is looking for a graduate, and gave me thet details. SO I called, and it's back to Norwich again on Thursday for an interview.

I suppose that's the good thing about being in Thetford. For all it's sins, and people that moan about the place, it's in a great spot for employement. Thinking about it terms of transportation links. Norwich and Cambridge, easy by train. It's straight out onto the A11 for those by car. Bury St Edmunds isn't far, Newmarket, Ipswich etc etc. All places are really easy to get to, so that's really good...and I don't mind working in Norwich really. So long as there is some money left over after renty renty and traveling, I'd happily be busy busy busy!!

Anyway, THURSDAY, INTERVIEW, EEEEEEEK!!!

More help

Had a phone call today from someone else in the future 50 group.

Basically he;s been told my story from businessman number 1, and has offered to try and help with my housing if it gets the the point that I am evicted. By the sounds of it, he and his wife live in a big house in the country, and they have a room or two spare. Seems a nice chap, and he's going to meet with me and businessman number 1 in Norwich on Tuesday. That's not so bad...I'm still just amazed that there are people willing to help in this climate and with things as they are at the moment....CRAZY!!

Help from afar

Yesterday I did an interview with the Heart Newsteam. In this mornings news bulletins it went out. I missed it, not that I mind, I'm not keen on hearing myself on air anyway....it's like singing karaoke, you sound alright until you hear yourself through a speaker. I'm not sure what it does to your voice, but whatever it does, I don't like it.

Anyway, that's irrelevant. I didn't hear it, but today an entrepenur from Norwich heard me. He runs his own business (obviously) and contacted the newsteam in Ipswich, they passed his details on to me, and so as much as I hate calling people without a prepared conversation, I mad ethe call.

I'm completely gobsmacked. Basically, without having even met me, or heard anything about me before, this man has offered to give me some part time work, help me find full-time work, and has even offered, after hearing about my dire financial state, to sub me petrol money if ever I get an interview and don;t have enough petrol in my car. He's also said he'd see what he could do about my housing situation, and all sorts. In fact he is in a network of 50 entrepenures that are part of the future 50 group. It's something to do with awards from the EDP, but he's going to network with his fellow businessmen and see what he can do.

I am completely amazed and gobsmacked about the whole thing. I mean somebody wanting to help a complete stranger in this day and age. Someone they don't even know....words quite simply fail me to be honest. I'm speechless....that's a first.

I've said I'll go meet with them next week, I'm in Norwich on Tuesday anyway to do balloons (helping a friend with a little business venture) and so I figured I'd be able to meet with them then. It seems he is also free on Tuesday....so, I'm a bit nervy, but I'm sure it'll be ok. It's an informal chat afterall.....

Just completely gobsmacked!

Another interview

I've agreed to do another interview with the Heart Ipswich news team, so I popped into town this morning to discuss what's been happening over the past few weeks. It should be played out on air tomorrow I think...so if you've been following my story, make sure you're listening to the news tomorrow morning.

It's a big fat NO

I spent much of my weekend dreaming about buying clothes, spending money on holidays, going places, doing things and just generally living my life again, after scrimping and scraping for the past 3 years. I discovered a message from the Ambulance trust on Saturday afternoon and got myself so excited about having a job. Mostly so I could disrupt all my landlord's plans to kick me out....the message said something like "Hello Ashley, this is S_______ from the Ambulance Trust, could you give me a call back as soon as possible" So I waited all weekend, and it was bank holiday too, so the wait was even longer, but alas it was a no.

She did say that they really liked me, and I'd done well on the test and things, but there was a stronger candidate who had done something rather similar in a previous role, and they just pipped me to the post.

I suppose though in a way that's positive, I mean they did like me, and maybe had that other candidate not attended for any reason I'd have had the job....but alas, it's back to the drawing board and living on next to nothing!! Grrr.....Got to sign on a little later though......and unfortunately can't tell them that I have a shiny new job to go to.

Honestly, I used to moan about not getting thanks but no thanks letters from employers, because I think it's rude, but I've had about 5 in the last week or so, and it's really quite disheartening!