Wednesday, September 28, 2005

THE END

I have printed out my dissertation. It's called

The Past is the Future: History and Contemporary Issues in Naomi Mitchison's Historical Fiction
Great...
That's it. Over. Done.
If anyone wants to read it (!!!) do e-mail me and I'll send you an e-mail copy;)!
Love,

Thursday, September 22, 2005

The End in Sight...:'(

Dear all,

I just handed in my dissertation for a last inspection by my supervisor. Great, you might say. And of course it is. I does give me a great sense of achievement to be able to hand over another "book" written by myself:). On the other hand though ... when I was walking down the stairs and out the door I suddenly just felt so so sad! This is my last week as a student! Probably for ever! I am going to miss being a student so so much. The fun times, the great books I discovered, just being part of a special part of society really.

I do look forward to finding a job I'll enjoy, and to having some money to spend. My first job will probably not be all that enjoyable though, or bring in that much money! But hey, let's stay positive! It is exciting to start a new chapter, and a few days ago I was even positive about moving to Cambridge. I know it's going to be hardm especially as I don't like not knowing what is ahead, but it will also be new, exciting, and fun:)!

In other news: I went to the doctor yesterday and got treated for a minor problem I had (I will spare you the details!). I need to heal now, which means I can't have sex for the next 3-4 WEEKS!!! Poor me... Anyway... You didn't really need to know this! I do apologise. I'm Dutch so I can't help but be frank about these things;)!

Going to go and search for some more jobs the now. Wish me luck!

Love,

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Photo's and jobs

Dear all,

Attempt number two at writing this post... SIGH.

Do check out the gorgeous photo's Derek took on our wee holiday up in the North-West. Aren't they just glorious?
http://www.protactin.co.uk/photos/lochaline

In other news: I have another interview!!!! It's with IBM in Greenock. I know I have the IT-skills of a grandmother, but I will receive full training. Also I will solve more organisational problems and let the engineers to the technical part;). To give you some idea of what the job will be like, here are the questions they sent me, and my answers:


"Customer Relation questions

Can you give me 3 real life examples of where you have had to solve a customer issue by either your own resolution or by interfacing with another organisation to close the issue?

1. In my role as a board member on a Student Accommodation Committee I solved students' problems on a regular basis. For instance when I found that the dryers in our building weren't working. People had made several complaints, but nothing was being done. I went to the reception in my official capacity and talked to the manager. Because I complained on behalf of many people their voice was heard and the dryers were replaced the following morning.
2. In the same role I helped organise many large events for several hundred students. On one occasion something had gone wrong with the ticketing, which meant that people who had paid did not have a ticket. At the venue the staff, understandably, refused to let people in that I knew had paid for their ticket. I talked to the manager, explaining the situation and acknowledging responsibility for the mistake. After some consideration the people were let in.
3. In my time on several staff-student committees I have resolved many issues between the university and the students. For instance problems with examinations. If more than one student complained about a certain question on an exam I would bring this up at the staff-student meeting. By explaining objectively how a certain question was not clearly stated, or was not covered by the material studied, I managed on several occasions to get the grading changed in the students' favour.

Can you also advise how you would tackle the following situations:

RolePlay 1:
Mr X is going on a business trip at the weekend and you promised to have his laptop repaired and returned to him by Friday . The Repair Centre calls you on Thursday to advise that they are short staffed and they cannot return Mr X's laptop until next Monday . Mr X leaves on Saturday for a business trip and needs his laptop. He is very irate and needs a solution. How would you handle this situation?

First of all it is very important to acknowledge Mr X's complaint, and to take responsibility for its resolution. He has a good reason to be upset, and it is important that he feels you understand his situation. The first thing to do is therefore to apologise on behalf of IBM. I would go on to explain the situation calmly to him, and would then ask him if he would accept a different laptop on loan, until his own laptop has been repaired. To alleviate the situation I would also try and arrange for his data to be transferred from his laptop to the one he will receive on loan.

RolePlay 2:
On 1st April Ms Y based in France ordered 1 server and 100 laptops for a customer installation. The order was due to be delivered on 1st May and the installation was due to start on 7th May. It is now 15th May and the following issues have been encountered:
1. 1 server arrived but does not boot up
2. Only 85 laptops have arrived
3. 5 of the laptops have UK power cords
4. There is a 10% functional fallout rate on the laptops
5. 2 of the laptop boxes had water damage
6. The customer wants to cancel their order. This is a new customer and they are not too impressed.

As with RolePlay 1, it is very important to acknowledge Ms Y's complaint, and to take responsibility for its resolution. She has every reason to want to cancel her order. I would first of all apologise on behalf of IBM. Because she is a new customer it is all the more important for her to have a positive image of IBM, so that the company can retain her.
I would do everything in my power to try and resolve the situation as quickly as possible, ensuring thereby that she does not cancel her order. I would explain that I will try to have as much of the installation as possible up and running within the coming days, explaining that I would send out an engineer to take care of this. He would replace the power cords, and boot up the server so that the customer would be able to use about 78 of the laptops. I would also ensure 25 more laptops are delivered asap. If IBM's customer relation rules allow for it I would offer Ms Y a discount, or something similar to entice her into agreeing on my resolution.
If she is still unwilling to take this offer I would liaise with my manager to try and come to an even better solution. If she still says no after I've tried everything in my power I would organise for the faulty installation to be picked up and I would cancel her order. This would however definitely be the last resort. "

It really sounds like a challenging job that does not get boring, which is good. Moreover it will teach me some marketing and retention skills that might come in handy when (or if?) I apply again to Explore Learning in about a year's time. Because I really still want that job!

yesterday I had another interview at a recruitment company as well, which was slightly disastrous. The lady had called me the week before and had asked me whether I spoke German, as well as Dutch. I told her the situation, namely that I understand German really well and have an A-level in it, but that I cannot speak it very well, but for the right job would be very willing to put in some effort. I then met her yesterday, and she asked me about it again. I gave the same answer. But she insisted that she had told me to work on it before the interview, yes in 5 days or less, and said they were going to test me there and then. I told here I did not know about this, so we arranged the interview for Friday. But when I got home I found this all a bit too ridiculous, especially when I thought about the fact that it was DEBT COLLECTION... Not really the job for me. By the time I got home IBM had called me as well, so I called her back to tell her I was not interested. She then asked if I would be ok with traveling to Greenock! Yes, for the same job! I felt great being able to tell her that I already have an interview with them, through a different recruiter! Yeah, point scored for me:)!

So I will now write my cover letters (one in Dutch and one in English) to IBM, and I hope to have that interview very very soon! Back here soon to tell you how it went!

Love,

Friday, September 16, 2005

NO JOB (CRAP CRAP CRAP!!!!!!!)

Dear all,

This is the e-mail I received today... So nice that they cannot even be bothered to tell me to my face! Sorry, bit upset. Just really really loved the place and thought it would be the ideal job for me. I would have moved down south, if necessary immediately, for it! I felt the interview went really well, especially as Laura stressed that they are not expecting marketing experience, as they specifically recruit graduates... Anyway. At least they liked me!

Regret Unsuccessful After
Interview

Dear
Mariken,

Thank you for attending your recent interview for the post of Assistant Director.

Unfortunately, after full and careful consideration, I regret to advise you that on this occasion we will not be furthering your application.

However, I would like to thank you for your interest in Explore Learning.
I would like to add that Laura did provide a lot of very positive feedback. She said you were a lovely person, who clearly demonstrated her enthusiasm and passion; but unfortunately we need someone who will be stronger in the marketing/sales side of the role, which Laura felt wasn't your strength.

I do hope that this will not be too much of a disappointment, and would like to take this opportunity to wish you every success in your search for suitable employment.

Yours sincerely,

Kate Richardson

Yes, I'm lovely, enthusiastic and passionate! Great.

I have another appointment with a recruitment company on Monday and I still hope to hear from Stirling university.

Derek has taken the sponsorship offered to him by ARM,whichc means he will move to Cambridge in about 6 months... AAAHHHH:'(! I am sad about that. It is a great opportunity for him though, and I would not want him not to take it just because I am so attached to Glasgow. I know that he is the best thing that's even happened to me (cheesy I know), and that I want to be with him. The plan is that I will move down too in about a year. I guess we can always go back after he finishes, if that is what we both want.

Dissertation is nearly done, so then I can fully focus on finding that job! Great... I have jobs coming out my ears by now!

I hope you're all well:).

Love,

Monday, September 12, 2005

Less stress, but complaining all the same...

Dear all,

Thankfully I'm a bit less stressed. My dissertation is going quite well, and I might, if I'm lucky, even finish it early:)! Also still applying for what seems like THOUSANDS of jobs. From customer services to receptionists, to coordinators, to whatever. Endless. Got call from customer services recruiter in Edinburgh today, but she seemed to think that a 3 week delay (because I'm still studying) was too long... Sigh! Surely three weeks is very short?? Also got an e-mail from one is Glasgow asking whether I had knowledge of computer hardware and software (!!). Didn't say anything about that in the job description (as I obviously would not have applied if that was the case!). E-mailed back that I only have a basic IT-certificate (and even that is stretching it as most of you will know;)).

Explore Learning got back to me: they are willing to pay up to £100 in travel expenses, and if I go to, if my interview goes well, a later Assessment day (they have one every month), then I can book a plane early and that might then cover most of the cost.

Derek's interview in Cambridge (I won't tell you too much, as he will want to tell you himself!) went really well it seems. The company said that if he gets through he would (only) study in Livingston for 6 months, and then move down, while going back up for some 2 week study periods. I really want to be happy for him if he does get through, but secretly (or not that secretly) I still hope he will stay in Scotland...

I had a look at the Explore website, and quite a few of their centres are in commuting distance of Cambridge, so that would not be too bad. Only thing is that I really don't want to move down south! It's just so bloody difficult ... dammit:(! I just wish I knew where I stood...

Anyway. Still really more stressed than I thought then... I should not complain! This is an exciting time;)! Wish I could enjoy it as Derek does.

Hope you're all happy, healthy and RELAXED!

Love,

Friday, September 09, 2005

Interview&stress

Dear all,

My interview yesterday went fairly well, and I have a 'real' interview next Wednesday at the Explore Learning Centre in Edinburgh. Great you might say? Well, it is. But there are a few misgivings I have.

One: They don't pay for travel expenses... Traveling to Edinburgh obviously isn't a problem, but if I get through to the next round (I might not of course!) I will need to travel all the way to Surrey and that would cost a fortune. I've e-mailed them, as they say you can ask if you have any problems, and hope they do pay at least some of my costs.

Two: The next round, this is if I get through, is on Monday the 19th... I am way way way too busy to go all the way to Surrey then! I hope I can arrange a different date.

Three: They only have vacancies in England... As you know I really don't want to move. Derek will also be in Livingston for the next year, so that makes me all the more resolved not to move (eventhough he does have an inteview in Cambridge on Monday).

I guess I just need to think about what I really want and wait and see how I like this Explore Learning centre. I am still hopefull I might hear from Stirling University, and I am also applying for two jobs in housing associations that look like the kind of jobs I would enjoy (a combination of helping people and organising).

I was so so stressed yesterday. It was just all tumbling down on me. All this job searching, and Derek's searching, while trying to finish my dissertation was all proving a bit too much for me. Thankfully Derek was as sweet and understanding as always and he has the ability to make me see sense and calm down a bit:). Feeling a lot better today, even though the recruitment agencies I called have not Dutch customer services jobs currently on offer...

I'm going home now to write. Tonight I am gong out to dinner with Derek and the family, as it's his dad's birthday today:). Looking forward to a quiet weekend with Derek:).

Love,

Monday, September 05, 2005

Where to start...

Dear all,

I've just come back from a fabulous two week holiday. Do read Derek's rendition of the first week on http://www.mrsmond.blogspot.com. It was so nice to show Derek all these lovely places that I used to go to when I was wee. The highlight was definitely our walk to Loch Tearnait. Lovely lovely.

After we put Derek on the bus mum and me then went to Caithness for one night, on our way to the Orkneys. The next day we took the ferry to St. Margaret's Hope on the Orkney mainland (which I would call an island too, but hey). Our B&B (&D as we also had dinner) there was great! Lovely views from the living room, big bright rooms, my own room with en-suite. Ann, who runs it, was lovely too and the other guest was a very friendly old minister who we chatted to every morning and evening (and who shared his whisky with me:)!!!).

I don't know where to start. We had such a lovely four days up there. Some rain, but also lots and lots of sunshine. The Orkneys are fairly flat with lots of farmland and quite a lot of wee villages. Lots of cows and sheep too. Really much cuter than I thought it would be;). The cliffs are spectacular though. We walked to "The Castle of Yesnaby" which is a massive column of rock sticking out the sea at the cliff side. It was so amazing. We also went to see some, if not most, of the many archeological sites they have. Circles of stading stones, villages and tombs that are 2-5000 years old! Very very impressive. The main towns of Stromness and Kirkwall were also very nice to go and see. And Orkney is paradise for jewelry lovers like me, because they have so many gold and silver smiths. Mum bought me beautiful earrings for my birthday:). I am already saving up for the matching necklace! On the way back we stayed the night in a haunted castle/youth hostel in Culrain, Sutherland. The journey to it was so great. Sutherland is so empty and so beautiful, especially when the heather is flowering and the sun shining. After that we drove via Ullapool (wow! gorgeous!) to Dunblane where we stayed for our last night, and mum's birthday. Unfortunately the B&B was not great... Bit sad, especially as it was mum's birthday... Thankfully the Stirling Arms in Dunblane did a lovely dinner. The whole holiday was really special and I had such a great time:)!

In the meantime the job hunt has been going exceptionally well:)! I have a phone interview with Explore Learning on Thursday (do keep your fingers crossed for me!) and a recruiter I e-mailed got back to me and I'll hopefully have an interview for a customer services job (with a large opticians or something in the city centre:)!) soon! I am also applying for the position of Alumni Relations & Development Manager at Sterling University. All sound pretty promising really:)! I'll keep you posted of course.

I've really got to get back to my dissertation now!

Lots of love,