It feels like I've been on an endless job hunt this past month. Sometimes, I can't help but wonder if I'm stuck in a recurring loop, like in the movie "Groundhog Day." My daily routine revolves around dropping off the kids at school, scouring job listings, submitting applications, attending interviews, working on household projects like rendering walls, hitting the gym, and picking up the kids again.
I've established a solid routine, and amidst it all, I managed to complete the challenging task of rendering the inside walls of our house. From the retro 70's-style brown bricks, our walls now glow a radiant white—letting light pour into our home. This project, combined with regular exercise, has had a big positive impact on my mindset and overall well-being. However, upon finishing the painting, I found myself facing a void, feeling a little empty. It was such a monumental undertaking that, at the beginning, I doubted I would ever see it through to the end. Now what?
Speaking of job hunting, I must admit that the lack of feedback has become increasingly frustrating. I've engaged in conversations with several companies, only to be met with silence afterward. I understand that competition is fierce, but after investing time and effort into multiple rounds of interviews, I believe it's fair to expect some form of response. Even a simple "no" would suffice, allowing me to mentally move on and redirect my focus.
Among the ups and downs, I've had some amusing encounters with recruiters. One incident stands out—the recruiter who asked me about the platform Xero is based on. For those unfamiliar, Xero is an accounting platform built from scratch—it stands on its own. I attempted to clarify this to the recruiter, only to be met with the question if it was based on Microsoft Dynamics CRM, a customer relationship management software platform. I couldn't help but facepalm at their misunderstanding. I reassured them that Xero is indeed its own platform, completely separate from Dynamics CRM. To my disbelief, they insisted on noting it down as Dynamics CRM. facepalm
In another instance, a recruiter dismissed me for a role, claiming I lacked sufficient testing experience. Ironically, I've been involved in software testing in various capacities since 2004. It seemed that my job titles in previous positions, which emphasised quality rather than testing, led to this misunderstanding. They suggested I alter my job titles to better align with their client's expectations. I‘m yet to hear back from them.
Despite these challenges, there are some promising opportunities on the horizon. One company has gone as far as checking my references, expressing their interest in bringing me onboard pending the signing of a statement of work by their client. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Additionally, there's a company that has consistently reached out to me, offering advice, sharing job ads from other companies, and connecting me with relevant individuals. Their generosity and time are exceptional, making me believe they would be an excellent company to work for.
Till and I managed to take a brief 24-hour getaway one weekend to witness Max Richter perform with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at The Sydney Opera House. This extraordinary experience was part of the Vivid festival, which I had never attended before, and it left me thoroughly impressed. We enjoyed a delightful dinner followed by an enchanting performance by Max Richter. Sitting in the concert hall, surrounded by the mesmerising music, was an overwhelming sensation. The pieces "On The Nature of Daylight" and "Arbenita" stood out as true highlights, showcasing the sheer beauty of his compositions.
Finally, I had the opportunity to DJ again. I supported a producer named Odd Mob, who had gained considerable recognition after performing at Coachella earlier this year. I teamed up with another DJ, Dave Norgate, for a back-to-back set. Since I hadn't played with him before, I wasn't sure what to expect. Our performance was scheduled from 3:30 to 5:00, on a Sunday during a long weekend, so I didn't anticipate a large crowd. As expected, only a handful of people were there to listen to this old man reliving his former glory days! I did, however, recognise a few familiar faces from the past, which allowed us to catch up and reminisce. The set itself went smoothly, but it didn't reignite my passion for DJing. Nevertheless, I enjoyed experimenting with the newer equipment. It was fascinating to observe how the software seamlessly handled pitch adjustment, making beat matching a breeze. Nowadays, the real talent lies in creatively remixing music on the fly, with endless possibilities.
On a personal note, I also participated in the 20km Sri Chinmoy Tuggeranong Trot. Hooray for running! It proved to be quite challenging for me. While I had been consistent with my strength training at the gym, I had somewhat neglected my running. Crossing the finish line in a respectable time was rewarding, although I must admit that those final 6 kilometres felt like a struggle. Nonetheless, I'm glad I pushed through, as the sense of accomplishment was incredibly satisfying.
Overall, this month has been a rollercoaster ride of emotions, particularly in my job search. I'm optimistic about what the future holds and excited to see where my journey leads me next.
Keep it up Nick!
You'll get the job you're supposed to (as frustrating as it is). I agree, feedback is essential. I have felt that exact frustration but with lack of feedback on uni assessment. How can you improve if you don't know what you need to improve on? It's also nice to know the things we do well too.
Love your outlook, Milkbar. Always have, always will.
The right job will come when it's meant to, mate. It was on hold until the rendering was finished.