Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Moving on, staying put

So, as many of you already know, I've found a new job, and to everyone's enormous surprise, it's here in Tours! I honestly didn't think in a million years that I would find something here - it's not exactly the hub of the intellectual and commercial worlds, especially when looking for English-speaking stuff.

So on the one hand, I'm happy not to have to pack up my apartment and leave (yet), rehome the cat, say goodbye to my friends etc., and on the other hand there's a big part of me that has been itching for a change of scene for some time now. That said, the initial contract only runs until the end of August, so there's plenty of scope for me to be back out on my arse again shortly (they have said there is a good chance of another contract at that point though).

I'm also kinda terrified at the prospect of going back to work! There's the whole issue of just adjusting back to a normal routine again, on top of the normal nerves from starting a new job. Plus it's a role I've never done before (electronic document and records management), and in a private company, which I've also never experienced either in France or in my professional career (not counting jobs here and there when I was a student, etc.) And while I feel my French has obviously improved over the last few years, the prospect of writing reports in French and perhaps having to deal with people over the phone gives me the jitters!

But on the bright side, yay a job! I just sent the contract off today, so it's all official! I'm still not sure what the net salary is, but the gross is looking pretty good for someone coming off the chômage, and it is a really good chance to get some new skills and experience in a different field of information work and environment. Plus it gives me some permanence for the next few months, since I've felt in a state of limbo, never quite knowing what would be around the corner and if I'd suddenly have to leave town or even the country. This means I've been able to plan (separate) visits from a friend and my sister, and a weekend in Paris for Ella's wedding, yay! And I am already plotting ways to spend the extra cash - nothing too dramatic, but all the little things I haven't been able to indulge in for the past year.

So, I know some of you have been wondering about the outcome of the IIO job in Brussels. The bad news is, I didn't get the job :( The good news is, they put me on the waiting list for future positions. Normally, I would think that was the employment equivalent of "but can we stay friends?", but they have asked me to do some fairly involved follow-up stuff which makes me think it is a little more meaningful than that. I'm not banking on something coming of it, but I'm taking it as a positive sign and presumably I would be in a stronger position in the future. I would still love to work there, so let's hope so! Looking back at the fact that two of the other candidates at my interview already had some sort of IIO connection going makes me wonder if they basically always waitlist people before hiring unless maybe someone exceptional with just the right experience comes along...

17 comments:

  1. Congrats again on the job! And yay for being able to afford fun things!! I'm sure you'll do great at the new place! Everything takes a little getting used to!

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  2. Hurray! Glad to hear you got a job! Maybe some day you'll wander on back town to Poitiers or I'll find my way back up to Tours (it's really not that far after all...). Good luck on the first day!

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    1. Yes, I really liked Poitiers, will definitely have to come visit again some time!

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  3. Congratulations! I find going back to work after the weekend scary sometimes (despite the fact that I really like my job) so I totally sympathise with the jitters, but I'm sure you'll settle in just fine. Good luck!

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  4. Best of luck with your new job and adjusting to a grown up routine again! I'm sure you'll be fantastic.
    And I'm so bummed that I'm in Dublin for the weekend of Ella's wedding :( because I know that we would've had an absolute blast together!

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    1. Oh, that is a bummer! Would have been great to meet you! Hopefully another time...

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  5. I thought I had left a reply. Sorry for the delay in congratulating you on your new job. I am watching this space....

    Love Denise

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  6. Hope your first day is over when you read this, and that it went really well. Lots of love, Mum xxx

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    1. It is! Although I got this in my inbox the morning of, so it wasn't then. Xxx

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  7. Congratulations!!! I'm so happy and relieved for you!

    I understand what you mean. Speaking every day French at the market and socially is one thing, but writing documents (eek!) and speaking on the phone is a whole other can of beans. I use to freeze up at the tax office when French phone calls would come in. I'm sure you'll be great though! Breaking into a new position is always a little scary. Was the interview for the job conducted in French or English?

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    1. Thanks again. It was in French, which is already scary. I had a hard time understanding the IT guy on the phone my first day, and one of my colleagues took over! Well, at least they are nice and helped me (unlike the "I'm not going to speak any clearer or explain things to you, new foreign person" IT guy).

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  8. Congratulations, Gwan! I saw your tweet saying that you had gotten a job but didn't know anything else since I took a sabbatical from social media while in the States. On a selfish note, I'm so happy that you'll still be close by and that you'll be in Paris for Ella's wedding (yay!!). Any chance that you'll be able to come for her bachelorette party too?!

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    1. Thanks! Unfortunately I can't make it for the bachelorette party, by the time I got word the train tickets alone were like 100€. Luckily I was able to get in earlier for the wedding :)

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    2. Oh, that's a pity. It would have been wonderful to see you this weekend! Maybe they'll have a last minute deal on train tickets. We're having lunch at 1pm at Mama Shelter, just in case things change.

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