With so much talk of economic meltdown, swine flu, unemployment and all things doom and gloom going on in the world at the moment, I thought I would share with you my top 15 “Positive Tunes”. This is a playlist I set up on my I-Tunes to play when things aren’t going too well or I am feeling particularly down for whatever reason. It’s a rather random collection by any stretch of the imagination, and features music from a surprising amount of British Indie bands, a genre I wouldn’t describe myself as a huge fan of. There’s some dance, a bit of rock, and even a rather cheesy song by the man convicted of beating up Rihanna. So listen to them, download them, or just wonder why on earth I picked them! They are in no particular order of preference.
1) Acquiesce - Oasis
2) Generator - The Holloways
3) Whatever - Oasis
4) Away From Here - The Enemy
5) No Matter What - Mistabishi
6) Shiver – Coldplay
7) Fly Away - Lenny Kravitz
8) Forever - Conquest
9) Midnight In A Perfect World – DJ Shadow
10) We Made It – Linkin Park
11) Get Ready – The Temptations
12) Forever – Chris Brown
13) Death Of Auto-Tune – Jay Z
14) Touch The Sky - Kanye West
15) I Remember – Deadmau5
Monday, 31 August 2009
Thursday, 20 August 2009
Slimy Salesman...
As much as I enjoy shows like The Apprentice and Dragons Den, I’ve never really seen myself fitting in with the whole corporate, sales driven world of business. The thought of spending my working day making hundreds of phone calls to soulless, pin stripe suit wearing “MD’s” has never been a world I thought I could cut it in. However, I have decided that if I am going to stay living in London town then I really do need to start earning some more money. So after giving it some thought and after a prod from a friend, last Friday I signed up with a recruitment agency who specialise in setting up new university graduates in sales jobs.
To my surprise they managed to set me up with an interview for the following Monday, so earlier this week I found myself sat in a rather plush meeting room in central London with seven other fresh faced, suited and booted young candidates. The last time I did a group interview was to gain my place at university, which went pretty well, so I initially went in feeling confident. This confidence soon started to dip however when after all candidates were present, I realised I was the only male in the room not wearing a suit. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t be so naive as to go to an interview in flip flops and board shorts, I had on a smart pair of trousers, shoes, a white shirt and a black v neck jumper, but no jacket or tie.
After a short talk from one of the assessors from the company recruiting, we were set to work with our first task of selling the candidate sat next to us. I know people who have been through this sort of interview task and I’ve never been too intimidated by presentations, so at first felt pretty confident. However, after speaking to my “sales pitch” sat next to me ( a smartly dressed German girl who spoke with an American twang) it was clear very quickly she was way, way more qualified in sales than me! No problem, I thought, she’ll be easy to sell.
After doing my presentation to the dozen or so people in the room, I sat and listened to the rest of the sales pitches, and after each one thought of another thing I should have put in my own. At one point the girl I’d been interviewing also slipped me a note informing me I’d forgotten to put in my pitch that she spoke “conversational Taiwanese”. “I shouldn’t worry yourself” I thought, “I’m sure the other half a dozen languages I mentioned you speak will count in your favour.”
Next on the agenda was a group exercise where we had to imagine we were stranded on a sinking boat in the middle of the ocean with 15 items salvaged, and put them in order of importance to survive. It became apparent very quickly that I am no Ray Mears or Andy McNab, as the rest of the group disagreed with just about everything I suggested we put near the top of the list. No problem I thought, the face to face, one on one interview will be my chance to win them over....
However, this stage only lasted about 2 minutes where I was asked to describe my biggest weakness as a candidate, “pray tell, what are you supposed to say when asked this in an interview???”, and was asked if I had ever been described as being “too casual?”. Later I wondered if this was due to my non wearing of a suit, although I maintain that if I had worn the whole three piece complete with tie, I would have arrived sweating and rather red in the face, as Monday was fairly hot.
Suffice to say, I was not invited to a second interview, but I would definitely feel more confident about a second similar interview. I have a couple of friends working in sales who earn more in commission than I do at all in a month, so it’s something I want to pursue. I will keep you posted, and if anyone knows something intelligent to say when asked what their biggest weakness is, then please feel free to comment.......
To my surprise they managed to set me up with an interview for the following Monday, so earlier this week I found myself sat in a rather plush meeting room in central London with seven other fresh faced, suited and booted young candidates. The last time I did a group interview was to gain my place at university, which went pretty well, so I initially went in feeling confident. This confidence soon started to dip however when after all candidates were present, I realised I was the only male in the room not wearing a suit. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t be so naive as to go to an interview in flip flops and board shorts, I had on a smart pair of trousers, shoes, a white shirt and a black v neck jumper, but no jacket or tie.
After a short talk from one of the assessors from the company recruiting, we were set to work with our first task of selling the candidate sat next to us. I know people who have been through this sort of interview task and I’ve never been too intimidated by presentations, so at first felt pretty confident. However, after speaking to my “sales pitch” sat next to me ( a smartly dressed German girl who spoke with an American twang) it was clear very quickly she was way, way more qualified in sales than me! No problem, I thought, she’ll be easy to sell.
After doing my presentation to the dozen or so people in the room, I sat and listened to the rest of the sales pitches, and after each one thought of another thing I should have put in my own. At one point the girl I’d been interviewing also slipped me a note informing me I’d forgotten to put in my pitch that she spoke “conversational Taiwanese”. “I shouldn’t worry yourself” I thought, “I’m sure the other half a dozen languages I mentioned you speak will count in your favour.”
Next on the agenda was a group exercise where we had to imagine we were stranded on a sinking boat in the middle of the ocean with 15 items salvaged, and put them in order of importance to survive. It became apparent very quickly that I am no Ray Mears or Andy McNab, as the rest of the group disagreed with just about everything I suggested we put near the top of the list. No problem I thought, the face to face, one on one interview will be my chance to win them over....
However, this stage only lasted about 2 minutes where I was asked to describe my biggest weakness as a candidate, “pray tell, what are you supposed to say when asked this in an interview???”, and was asked if I had ever been described as being “too casual?”. Later I wondered if this was due to my non wearing of a suit, although I maintain that if I had worn the whole three piece complete with tie, I would have arrived sweating and rather red in the face, as Monday was fairly hot.
Suffice to say, I was not invited to a second interview, but I would definitely feel more confident about a second similar interview. I have a couple of friends working in sales who earn more in commission than I do at all in a month, so it’s something I want to pursue. I will keep you posted, and if anyone knows something intelligent to say when asked what their biggest weakness is, then please feel free to comment.......
Sunday, 16 August 2009
Its Here!!!!!!!
Yes, after a full 10 weeks since the last one finished, the new Premier League season is upon us! There will be tears, cheers, wonder goals scores, sitters missed, red cards dished out and strops thrown by managers and players alike. It seems the hype surrounding this season is more intense than ever before, maybe because the amount of money thrown at players this season is truly eye watering when there is supposed to be a recession taking place. Cristiano Ronaldo was sold to Real Madrid for £80 million earlier in the summer, which is even more staggering when you realise the entire Newcastle United Football Club is up for sale for only a fraction more at £100 million. That’s stadium, squad, training ground and hideous yellow away kit all inclusive.
So what’s going to happen?? Well I am predicting the usual big four will be in contention. Arsenal have started all guns blazing and hit Everton for six in their first game on Saturday, Chelsea just scraped a win against a plucky Hull City, Drogba getting the winner in the last few moments of the game (an annoying trait which will probably continue through the season). Manchester United eased to a 1-0 win over Birmingham City today, but Liverpool slipped up against a much improved Tottenham. Portsmouth were dire in their game with Fulham and are my tip to go down this year. I believe every season needs a big club to get relegated or at least spend a lot of time in the bottom three. Newcastle did it last year, and I think Pompey will fill that role this time.
I sincerely hope that Manchester City fail in their attempts to buy their way into footballs elite, and that’s not just because I’m a United fan! They aren’t the only club who have spent vast amounts of money on their squad this summer, but their whole attitude towards buying players stinks. Mark Hugh’s seems to think they have the divine right to sign anybody they want even if the players they look at are under contract. They’ve been a self proclaimed “big club” for 5 minutes and hopefully have a long way to go before getting anywhere near the title.
I’d like to feel sorry for those who don’t watch football and have their TV schedules and conversations taken over by the beautiful game, but the fact is I know I’m just going to get too wrapped up in it all. So sit back, relax and enjoy the nine month roller coaster ride.
So what’s going to happen?? Well I am predicting the usual big four will be in contention. Arsenal have started all guns blazing and hit Everton for six in their first game on Saturday, Chelsea just scraped a win against a plucky Hull City, Drogba getting the winner in the last few moments of the game (an annoying trait which will probably continue through the season). Manchester United eased to a 1-0 win over Birmingham City today, but Liverpool slipped up against a much improved Tottenham. Portsmouth were dire in their game with Fulham and are my tip to go down this year. I believe every season needs a big club to get relegated or at least spend a lot of time in the bottom three. Newcastle did it last year, and I think Pompey will fill that role this time.
I sincerely hope that Manchester City fail in their attempts to buy their way into footballs elite, and that’s not just because I’m a United fan! They aren’t the only club who have spent vast amounts of money on their squad this summer, but their whole attitude towards buying players stinks. Mark Hugh’s seems to think they have the divine right to sign anybody they want even if the players they look at are under contract. They’ve been a self proclaimed “big club” for 5 minutes and hopefully have a long way to go before getting anywhere near the title.
I’d like to feel sorry for those who don’t watch football and have their TV schedules and conversations taken over by the beautiful game, but the fact is I know I’m just going to get too wrapped up in it all. So sit back, relax and enjoy the nine month roller coaster ride.
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
A Trip Down Under
Well, after weeks and weeks of saying I was going to start it, I’ve finally got my arse in gear and am starting a blog. The content of which will be based around things going on in my life and a lot of my own opinions on things happening in the news in the UK and abroad. Feel free to comment or just stop in and read as you stop on your journey surfing the net....
So recently I’ve been thinking about going on a holiday, but not just your average two week package holiday somewhere in Europe, I’m thinking of going on a yearlong working holiday to Australia. After a friend sent me the details of a similar trip she’s thinking of doing to Canada I decided to have a look and see what’s available. At the moment I’m still living and working in London, which is great, but to be honest I want to start progressing and start doing something a bit more exciting with my time. Don’t get me wrong, I think London is one of the most exciting cities in the world, it is also however one of the most expensive, and while I’m not exactly earning a bankers salary it’s sometimes hard to find the cash to really go out and properly enjoy my time here.
So my plan is to move back home with my folks for a bit, save up some cash, enrol on the working abroad scheme I’ve been looking at and then hopefully fly out some time next summer. I’ve got a few friends who have done gap years and they all seem to have reams of stories to tell, and even my parents are encouraging me to go. I’m set on Australia for several reasons.....
a) Hands down, the weather is better!
b) It seems fairly easy to get a working visa, this can’t be said of the USA which was also an option.
c) I would be able to get to places like Hong Kong, Thailand and New Zealand very easily to do some extra travelling.
d) The people seem very easy going, and more importantly, very into their sport!
Everyone I have spoken to has so far been supportive of this little venture of mine, so we'll see how things go. Anyone who has done a gap year I would appreciate your input as I'm always open to suggestions.....
So recently I’ve been thinking about going on a holiday, but not just your average two week package holiday somewhere in Europe, I’m thinking of going on a yearlong working holiday to Australia. After a friend sent me the details of a similar trip she’s thinking of doing to Canada I decided to have a look and see what’s available. At the moment I’m still living and working in London, which is great, but to be honest I want to start progressing and start doing something a bit more exciting with my time. Don’t get me wrong, I think London is one of the most exciting cities in the world, it is also however one of the most expensive, and while I’m not exactly earning a bankers salary it’s sometimes hard to find the cash to really go out and properly enjoy my time here.
So my plan is to move back home with my folks for a bit, save up some cash, enrol on the working abroad scheme I’ve been looking at and then hopefully fly out some time next summer. I’ve got a few friends who have done gap years and they all seem to have reams of stories to tell, and even my parents are encouraging me to go. I’m set on Australia for several reasons.....
a) Hands down, the weather is better!
b) It seems fairly easy to get a working visa, this can’t be said of the USA which was also an option.
c) I would be able to get to places like Hong Kong, Thailand and New Zealand very easily to do some extra travelling.
d) The people seem very easy going, and more importantly, very into their sport!
Everyone I have spoken to has so far been supportive of this little venture of mine, so we'll see how things go. Anyone who has done a gap year I would appreciate your input as I'm always open to suggestions.....
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