Taking over the bike shop...

[Andy in Germany]

Write a book !

Would never sell. No one would believe it.

Sell under the Fiction heading maybe ?

A fictionalised book maybe, but apart from no-one believing it, the confidentiality rules for occupational therapists are the same as for a doctor and I'd have to wait at least a decade before publishing.

 

[Andy in Germany]

I've been applying for advertised positions, and over the weekend the Younger Son assisted me in revising my application letter. This is because he's learning to be a teacher in Germany and therefore has to understand the German grammar. I can speak German fluently, but it isn't error free, especially when writing.

On past experience, applications take ages; I'd wait for three weeks for a rejection letter then another five for any interviews, so I figured I'd better apply sharpish if I wanted a job by Christmas.

I sent the applications over the weekend. Now I have three invitations to interviews this week.

I've told the Younger Son it's his fault for making my application sound so good.

Now I have to negotiate with my boss. Technically I have the right to time off work but the reality is that it means my colleagues will have to reorganise and cover for me.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Less than an hour after the last post, another invitation has arrived. I really need to re-read what Younger Son wrote...

This may involve a part time position allowing me to work at least a few days a week in the workshop.

If this is possible it would mean I don't have to drop my clients so hard, which is a big concern; they are currently too unstable for me to just vanish.

 

[fossyant]

Good luck. Hopefully you can continue with your existing clients to some extent, but don't let them drop your hourly rate.

 

[annedonnelly]

Good luck with the interviews. Hope you can negotiate a win-win situation.

Sounds like your younger son might have a future as a CV writer 😁

 

[DCLane]

Can I borrow Younger Son for Son no. 1 here? He's applying for mechanical engineering graduate vacancies but it's taking ages to get through the process.

 

[HobbesOnTour]

I sent the applications over the weekend. Now I have three invitations to interviews this week.

That's great news, Andy. Congratulations and good luck to you. (And kudos to your son!)

Technically I have the right to time off work but the reality is that it means my colleagues will have to reorganise and cover for me.

I'll be the contrary one; that's not your problem.

I don't have to drop my clients so hard, which is a big concern; they are currently too unstable for me to just vanish.

Again, to sound like a cold-hearted ba$tard, I think you should be looking after yourself, first.
Your entire career is focused on helping people and to do that properly you have to be happy and comfortable in your own skin. Not overworked.

A part time job to supplement income and ease a transition might be good for your current clients but what about your clients in the other job (if it is that type of work) and what of yourself, your time, your family? I would imagine that in your line of work, especially, that "downtime" is very important.

I know you won't pay the slightest bit of attention to me on this 😀 but I thought it important to offer an alternative thought process.

As always, the very best of luck to you.

 

[Andy in Germany]

I'll be the contrary one;

You, "contrary"? Surely not.

I'll be the contrary one; that's not your problem.
Again, to sound like a cold-hearted ba$tard, I think you should be looking after yourself, first.
Your entire career is focused on helping people and to do that properly you have to be happy and comfortable in your own skin. Not overworked.

I understand that, but this concern comes as part of the package.

Aside from that, if they do collapse, again i isn't my "problem" but it does make the time I've invested in these people a waste.

I'm also very aware that in my job, there's a real imbalance of power and opportunity: I can bounce on to the next job in the short or long term. My clients don't have any options. Sometimes this is because of poor decisions on their part, but having agreed to take them into the programme, I feel it's unfair to drop them before they reach some stability on their own if I can avoid it.

I'm also aware of the danger of being overworked, and I'll have to consider any part-time possibilities very carefully.

I know you won't pay the slightest bit of attention to me on this 😀 but I thought it important to offer an alternative thought process.

Me? Ignore advice?

 

[HobbesOnTour]

You, "contrary"? Surely not.

it does make the time I've invested in these people a waste

Respectfully, I disagree.
Waste is such a negative word. Pointless? Yes. But a waste? No.

I'm also very aware that in my job, there's a real imbalance of power and opportunity: I can bounce on to the next job in the short or long term. My clients don't have any options. Sometimes this is because of poor decisions on their part, but having agreed to take them into the programme, I feel it's unfair to drop them before they reach some stability on their own if I can avoid it.

And that's why you do what you do.
I think I know the way you'll think, I just wanted to suggest that looking after No. 1 now and again is not a bad thing.

Me? Ignore advice?

Thanks for taking my comments in the spirit they were intended.

 

[Reynard]

Fingers crossed @Andy in Germany

Sounds like your lad should be in advertising, not in education

 

[Reynard]

Can I borrow Younger Son for Son no. 1 here? He's applying for mechanical engineering graduate vacancies but it's taking ages to get through the process.

Sounds like nothing much has changed in the last 25 years...

 

[sevenfourate]

4 interviews in one week ! That’s unheard of. I’m sure you’ll get the same amount of offers with your varied skill-set and positive attitude 😎

Good luck Andy !!

 

[Andy in Germany]

There is a chance, just a chance, mark you, that I may be able to stay in the bike shop.

I just had a meeting with The Boss, who gave me my reference (which was embarassingly positive, thankfully) and then laid out a plan which is so shiny and new they haven't even taken off the wrapping paper so I can't talk about it here.

If it works, I could have a long term job in the organisation doing the things I really love to do. However, it's far from certain and I've been told to keep applying elsewhere. They'll have a clearer idea in a couple of weeks.

 

[HobbesOnTour]

Great news, Andy - but you probably shouldn't let that distract you from your jobsearch.

And no news on how your interviews are going? You're keeping us all (well, me, at least) on tenterhooks!

 

[Andy in Germany]

Great news, Andy - but you probably shouldn't let that distract you from your jobsearch.

And no news on how your interviews are going? You're keeping us all (well, me, at least) on tenterhooks!

No. I'm still looking at what's available. I posted about one interview I went to yesterday although it was a bit obscure.