Michelle's job log: 12

The story so far... Michelle left university in 2007 and found a job assisting lecturers at Manchester University. But she really wants to go into fashion, maybe through merchandising. 

What a month!

This is probably a scatty blog as I started writing it about two weeks ago and now I’m just adding to it as a few things have changed since then...

 It’s been a hectic month! Since my last blog I had a week off work which I really needed, I felt so well-rested, I didn’t move a muscle, I went back home to the parents and it felt like being pampered. Good food, people fussing over me, yes it was great.

I did intend to spend the week doing application forms, but the thought of that just didn’t seem appealing after being stuffed with vast amounts of food. Despite that, I found out that I’ve got an assessment centre coming up for a retail management programme in a couple of weeks so that should be interesting, as I’ve never had the chance to go to one before. I applied a few weeks ago and the company contacted my saying that they had actually filled all their assessment centre places, but that if there were any dropouts I could be considered. A few days later they rang me and told me that a candidate had dropped out and I was invited to take the place.

No doubt I didn’t hesitate; they booked me into a hotel for the night before as I live over 50 miles from where the assessment takes place and its starts at 8:30 in the morning prompt! There will be a one-to-one interview, an in-tray exercise, an individual role play and a group task where you have to create a TV ad for the company, so at least I know what to expect, sounds like it could be fun. I’m absolutely going to do my best to stand out, I really want it but even if I don’t get it I’m so glad I finally got to an assessment centre after almost two years of being a graduate!

I’m so ready to leave my job now, it’s absolutely soul-destroying!  Even my manager said she had realised that I wasn’t enjoying it as much as I was before and that it was a bit mundane for me. It’s an ideal job if you’re settled down with a family as it’s so flexible, but in terms of wanting to build an exciting career with lots of responsibility and opportunities it’s a definite no-no. I was reading somewhere that it is better to have no job than to have a terrible one as it can lead you to feeling negative about working altogether; but even I think that’s a bit drastic, I couldn’t cope without a job, having the week off proved that, as I have to admit daytime TV is not the best and even shopping everyday loses its novelty value. But yes, I definitely have got to the point where I hate the thought of going to work, which is not good at all, even when I walk in I feel a little bit sick thinking I’ve got to spend the next seven hours there.

New locations 

Other than that, I went to Barcelona for the weekend with my friend, which was interesting, it seemed like such a different way of life. In the day it seemed reserved, romantic and quite religious and then at night it was how I expected Amsterdam would be. I found it fascinating, I would have loved to make a documentary on it, but probably would have been too scared to point a camera at some of the characters we saw roaming the streets!

Since I’ve been back there have been so many ideas going around in my head about what to do next.  I’ve given notice at my flat in Manchester, so I’ve been busy doing some flat hunting. I’ve decided I think I am definitely going to live in Birmingham so I’ve viewed a few apartments down there, and the last two that I saw I absolutely loved, so fingers crossed I get one of them because at the moment the market is so competitive, you ring the letting agents and they tell you that you can view it, then next thing you know it’s gone. I just cannot wait to move now, even if it does mean commuting for a while until I find a job in Birmingham. I don’t think anyone believed that I was moving because it seemed to be such a sudden decision, but that’s what I’m all about, living for today...

OK so that was before when this was just a consideration but now it’s official, I’ve chosen my flat in Birmingham and put my deposit down. Oh my word, what have I done. I should be all moved in within 3 weeks, exciting. I hope I won’t get bored. In terms of my career it was something that had to be done as there are so many more opportunities there. Wow I’m also turning 23 this weekend, it’s definitely time for me to start thinking about these important career things. I’ve loved the fun I’ve had in Manchester, but that’s pretty much it. Job progression is not happening where I am so I have to go and seek it.

What a great birthmonth I’ve had, lots of travelling, planning and partying now I just need to nail this assessment centre. Fingers crossed!

Read my earlier job logs   

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