Happy talk, keep talkin' happy talk,Talk about things you'd like to do.You got to have a dream, If you don't have a dream, How you gonna have a dream come true?
Today was a nice day, a sunny day - not like yesterday, which was sunny, but, well not so nice.
The Interview
Pink shirt? Yes, that will look OK - suit trousers and jacket over the pink shirt - open collar and no tie, as befits the style of New Zealand.
Preparation? Yes, the two hours before were enough to produce 5 sheets of notes. A quick revamp and ITIL notes were added in, and particular exploitation of a 'how the ministry uses their service desk' web site, came in very handy.
Location? I had been told it was the Public Trust building on Lambton, which I will notice by the road works out side. OK, got that, pretty easy to find then. Four minutes late I arrive, go up to the 2nd floor and enquire after my contact - 'Oh, there is no one here called that', 'Are you sure you do not want the new old public trust building?'....Nine minutes late I arrive, go up to the 2nd floor and enquire after my contact - 'Ah, I will call her', 'OK, can you go up to the 11th floor'.
Twelve minutes late now, I arrive, but I am trapped in the lobby, all the doors have pac locks!
I wait...do they know I am here?....can I ring reception?....does this pink shirt suit me?....I decide to tap on the glass - ah, I relax as a friendly smile greets me and apologies for not hearing the lift - made it, and only 14 minutes late.
I then spent about an hour and three quarters basically talking about me, which is one of my favorite topics, the others being the rise and fall of Stalinist values in the ukraine and the suitability of pink for my complexion. I know I made the three ladies interviewing me laugh, and sometimes it was deliberate. I think I covered all the ITIL stuff and even got in my bit about their mission statement and the rough translation I had done of their Maori sub title.
Result? Not yet, maybe Monday, but I think it went OK. Another pre-interview meeting arranged tomorrow for the other job. Will I be playing the two off of each other?
Something else that is going OK is the online meeting thing, and here I must say hello and thanks for the great company to Michelle. A fast driving, Japan loving, cat liking but orphaned though travel so given to her Mum, kind and funny New Zealand girl. Are they all like this here? I am comparing them to the high standards set by the HR girls in Essex Probation you know, and so far we are about even.
I have a couple more dates lined up, yes I know, I am finding it hard to believe too - and one of these also has a horse that she rides on the beach....life is good, and now I am living :)