Kirstie's job log: 3

Kirstie Nicols graduated in 2006 without a career plan.

Two buses - and a choice of directions

Ever heard the phrase, ‘you wait an hour for a bus, then three come along at once’? Well that’s just what’s happened for me, and I’m currently in danger of spending so long choosing between them that they’ll all drive off and leave me to walk home.

Last blog’s interview went relatively well (considering one of my interviewers only realised as I left that my name was Kirstie and not Kirsten, and therefore the typical embarrassing situation ensued), and I heard from them last week. Despite my charms being turned on to the full, I wasn’t offered the dream position I went for; but they did ask me to come back and try out for another position. It’s not exactly the kind of thing I’m after, but it’s certainly a triple jump in the right direction, so I agreed to arrange a time to try again, and headed to work with a smile on my face.

Seeing the boss

As I’ve said before, I’m lucky enough to work somewhere that keeps me happy, for employers that understand I’m not going to be there forever. Recently, there’s been a big shuffle around among the sales reps; the type of move that didn’t interest me being as it didn’t involve moving me or giving me a raise (which I thoroughly deserve of course). I’m usually happily left to my own devices; but one particular morning last week I was invited into the boss’s office, for one of those chats that send images of every time you’ve spent checking out the videos on YouTube and buying clothes off eBay running through your mind.

However, it turned out to be one of those rare occasions (at least in my experience) where a trip into the boss’s office was a positive thing. Apparently everyone has been very impressed with how quickly I’ve picked up my job, and how well I’ve been doing (cue modest-but-secretly-cocky blushes). They wanted me to know there was an internal sales position going. And that they’d love me to take it.

The alternatives

This wedges me firmly between a rock and a bigger rock. As a (relatively) recent graduate with the higher end of a typical student debt smiling at me every time I consider treating myself, it makes sense to take the sales job. After all, I like the company, I like the people, I can chat on the phone all day and its commission based, so there’s good money to be taxed on. The only problem is, it would mean I’d have to start taking the job seriously; one of the reasons why I like the place so much is that I never saw myself still there in a year, which means I’ve been able to relax and not worry too much. And of course, it would mean postponing the chase for my dream job.

For a few years now, I’ve had a vague idea in the back of my mind that I would like to write. English was always my best subject; though at GCSE that might have been because the teacher was young, male, and easily the best looking in the school. It wasn’t until my lack of motivation to find a job forced me to consider what I really enjoyed, was relatively good at (cue modest-but-secretly-cocky blushes again), and could see myself doing for 20 years, that the idea stopped being vague and instead started getting in the way of every job application I tried to make. So I decided to stop ignoring it, and start trying to chase it. I’m doing well; I’ve already managed to miss the deadline for the last Prospects magazine, so I’m on fine form for a career in journalism.

My interview was for a junior position in a publishing house in London. They want me to come back to try for a different position; less in the area I’m interested in; but it’s still a way in. The pay isn’t great, but as long as I cut down on the caviar and Mediterranean holidays, I should be fine. Of course, I haven’t been offered the job yet; I haven’t even gone for another interview; but if I take the promotion at work there won’t be much chance of trying for another job somewhere else if I’m not given this one. So, at the moment, I’m doing the cowardly thing and stringing them both along, until I can make a decision.

The deadline

So that’s my dilemma; do I stay somewhere where the livin’ is easy…and although I’m really not interested in the money (we’ve got that interest-free overdraft for life right?), the pay rise would definitely make things easier right now. Or I could stay in the position I’m in, and keep looking for the elusive first rung on the ladder of a career I would really enjoy. I’ve probably got till the end of July before I really have to make a decision (unfortunately I have a First Class degree in procrastination); though for once, I’d rather not see myself missing the bus home.

Kirstie's job log 2 - American studies - what's that?

Kirstie's job log 1 - A year of learning

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