Friday, August 04, 2006

All wrong [EDITED]

I feel so down, all the joy I got in Italy has been taken away from me. I vented here, but now I am just sad.

Alright, I heard from the gallery yesterday that they couldn't give me the job because they didn't think I had enough experience but if they had a junior role to give they would have.

Today I heard that Sotheby's didn't even want to invite me in for interview. The consultant asked why, and they thought the role was too junior for someone with my experience.

I feel like such a failure.

[EDIT] Friday 6.30 pm.

OK, OK I'm not a failure, but you know how it feels at the moment when you say it...

After I washed away my tears (my head still hurts and my eyes are sore), this afternoon I got busy. I was supposed to work with my landlord, but after he saw my face, he gave me the day off.

I applied to two more jobs. I was told NO very quickly for the events assistant coz they want someone who comes from a corporate events background (even though I have done events).

And I haven't yet heard back about the sales assistant in the design showroom.

Also I will be working on 3 internship applications with an orchestra (they use period instruments!). I had a very nice phone conversation with someone in the office there about it.

Ahoy for next week, then.

18 comments:

panda_eyed said...

You're not a failure Livvy. It's just hard finding a good job is all. Chin up girlie, and keep smiling that beautiful smile k? xx

Miss Dallas said...

Oh Liv! You're furthest from failure! The thing is, I'm still wondering why you go through these consultants to find a position. I think that if you networked with some of the higher-ups at Southeby's or a gallery, you'd knock 'em crazy with your charm and experience. You should tell them yourself that starting at the bottom suits you, and that you'd love the challenge of winning them over.

Don't worry, Liv! Something will come soon, I can feel it!

Olivia said...

Thanks Panda xxx :) :) :) (Practising)


Luna - that's the thing, for the past year I did not go through agents but direct to the companies and never even got an interview, so getting rejections is progress, come to think of it.

I go to these interviews, they say I'm really charming and lovely, and then they go for someone with more experience.

My consultant really really wanted me to get into Sotheby's and she was disappointed, and even said "try to have a good weekend".

On the call with them she asked why they didn't want to see me, and they said what they said about the junior role, and she replied that I felt like a junior and would be perfectly happy doing that job description - it was definitely much less junior than other roles I've applied for. She thinks they were being very picky, but if anything else came up with them, she'd try again.

That's the good thing about consultants - companies are too lazy to do their own choosing.

The last 4 or 5 times I went through contacts, it didn't work either. Talk about brush off.

Olivia said...

Luna - I hope your instinct is spot on! Thanks :)

Prerona said...

Hi Sweetie, pls dont feel that way love. Its there loss ya. Hold on something better will come up. Love.

Anonymous said...

I know so danged well how you feel. I kinda stopped applying for a while and am thinking though I had so much fun studying maybe I will never actually get to work in my chosen field. I wish being a student was a high paying job. That would suit me down to the ground! :o/

Anonymous said...

boa sorte! buena suerte, Olivia. I wish I could hire you to finish my report! haha I would pay you big money (if i had it). You deserve an awesome joh...b/c you are so intelligent, charming, and special...that is why THE job hasnt arrived at your doorstep yet. you are destined for something more. you are one in a million. Common folk would not know what to do with you! And that is a compliment even if the consequences of this truth are frustrating you at the moment. I love you, Liv!

-Memoria

Um Naief said...

I know it can be hard, but something will turn up... just know it.

When I came to Bahrain, I had the same feelings. I couldn't find a job to save my life and I felt so useless and undeserving. It took a while but I finally landed something that helped me get into the position I currently have.

You are very bright, funny and I'm sure it comes across when you're interviewing. Like you said, some places are just too picky and they want something in particular and will not rest until they find just that. But, always know and trust that the best is saved for the last and it'll be coming around the corner for you... maybe not exactly when you planned, but it will come.

Have faith in yourself... even when times are tough. Things will work out.

Olivia said...

Prerona - thanks for reminding me, I often think that about the guys who don't call me back :P

Rox - I know, as you can see, I'm ranging as far as I can from art history without exactly going over to finance!
What are you looking for now?

Memoria - oh you made me nearly cry again! I'm fed up of waiting for THE job, THE man - I've waited for so long...too long.
I am so behind in my life, I hope that I'm fighting fit when I'm 60 so I can keep going to make up for the decade I have just lost.
LOVE YOU TOO!

Tooners - thank you so much for your warm words of encouragement. It is so hard to keep up faith in oneself at these times, and that is why we need people like you to remind us :)

Anonymous said...

I am not really looking very intensely right now. I have some ideas of doing something with Nick and property development. Also I have some illustration work coming up like every year and a friend said I could do some translations for her work at the ETH (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich). So its really bits and bobs here and there. Ah well...

Anonymous said...

But do be careful about applying to something too junior. If they ar enot risking giving you a job that will bore you, that's a good thing. In my department at Christie's we had 4 administrators: 3 of them had masters degrees! Can you believe that? This way you get bored, you don't stay and they never have to pay any benefits. It's outrageous really. AND you're bored as can be on the job.
So don't go for something you'll hate out of desperation.
And pursue all angles: agencies, applications, networking.

And thing about what is most important. For example, as much as I love arts (and classics even more), I realised that at this point in my life, the work I am doing day in and day out is much more important that the industry, I just wanted to be busy and challenged and creating something I enjoy.

But yes, hang in there. Keep temping too, it keeps you busy. Keep your eyes open to anything. And have a huuuuuuuuge ice cream!!

Olivia said...

Rox - huh, but bits and bobs are not enough after a while...

Rebecca - maybe, but having studied for so many years, it's been so long since I actually worked...a year in admin would show that I actually can keep a job - in London...

Networking and contacts have been least helpful of all.

And as for staying in the arts, well I have expanded my search parameters to include everything in the creative fields - I need to work with something I appreciate, so no law or finance for me.

Anonymous said...

Chumpsie, You are to sesitive and try to be a bit more tolerant, don't get mad at me if I don't understand you as you ger so frustrated at me!!

Olivia said...

Hey Mumsy - you FINALLY commented!!!
WOW!!!
xxx

The Moody Minstrel said...

Also I will be working on 3 internship applications with an orchestra (they use period instruments!)

Wow! That sounds interesting! If any of those applications do come through, you'll know that I'll be envying your every step. That green glow you see on the eastern horizon? That will be me.

Cheer up, Olivia. At the risk of sounding either patronizing or just plain silly, I'd say don't cry, and definitely don't give up hope, because I know so many people who have good jobs either that they came into by sheer accident or that found them. On the other hand, I also know people that found very promising jobs through agencies or direct recruiting but quickly wound up jobless due to downsizing (or got replaced with eye candy). I guess what I'm trying to say is that there are always possibilities. Try to be optimistic. Positive energy! That's the key! Positive energy! Yeah!

(*blush*)

Olivia said...

Minstrel - envy? You're already IN with the music!
Anyway, it's good to cry, I felt so much better afterwards.

I am hearing more and more anecdotes about how people found their jobs, and I can't believe how hard it is for everyone.

I am feeling much better this week. Someone special rescued me from the dumps last Friday and I couldn't have asked for anything more.

Ollie said...

I have every sympathy for you, Olivia. I have lost count of the number of times in my career in the media I have been told I am over-qualified for a role or, conversely, do not have the right sort of experience. It is bloody heartbreaking.

The fact of the matter is that a lot of bad employers want a face that fits and someone who will not challenge their level of competence. Very few are prepared to take a risk on a really intelligent, unusual person such as yourself.

Remember: never give up, and don't let the bastards grind you down.

Anonymous said...

I agree wholeheartedly with Oliver.

IMO, be comfortable with the person you are, the skills you have and the job will find you (eventually). Don't use the job to as the sole means of validation.

From my blog lurking, it's obvious you are a clever, funny and sensitive soul.

Don't average down. :)