Interview day
After getting to bed at 3am the last thing I wanted to hear at 9am was my alarm, but after placing it the night before at the other side of the room at a high elevation I had to get up. After the rudimentary cup of tea a bit of adrenalin hit me and the blood started flowing again, I was ready to rock and roll.
Burger King breakfast then on the bus. Two hours later, and feeling a bit sleepy again, I arrive in Kelso, the venue for todays activities. I had checked on a map how far the offices were from the town centre and had decided they weren't far at all. I had left myself a half hour to get there and was confident this would be no problem. Before leaving the bus I asked the driver how to get there and was met with this response.
"Ahh, well noo, they're awa roond the back o the big hill, ower the river," he said looking distant.
"Yeah, so how long will it take me to get there?" I asked rather worryingly. He rolled his eyes, took a deep breath and squinted in deep thought.
"What if I take a taxi, how long will it take??" I asked a bit more sharply.
"Och, well noo, let me see... hmmm, aboot... I'd say somethin' aboot five minutes."
I laughed out loud but inside I was thinking 'Jesus fucking Christ, what you trying to do to me'.
Anyway, so I get there, in plenty time. Unfortunately the Vice President guy couldn't make it so it was just me and the same two people as last time. I gave them my press release and did my presentation. They seemed happy and I felt it went well. Afterwards we discussed everything and had a few questions for each other, I left feeling that I had done my bit and now it is just a matter of who they want to fill the post. Back to the waiting game.
Poker night
So the second round satellite on Wednesday turned into quite an evening. It took less than half an hour for me to loose almost all my stack when I landed 2 pair on the river and bet it, only to be re-raised by a straight on the river. I was gutted, I had been looking forward to this all week and I was looking like leaving before really getting started.
But then things did start. Good things.
Some incredible hands (and fantastic plays) later I was back on top. However, I had the next days interview on my mind and had planned to be home by midnight at the latest. It was a tight game as everyone there wanted the seats for the big game. Only 2 seats were avilable with a prize of £600 for third and £400 for fourth. Time was passing fast and midnight came and went.
With 5 players left the next one out left empty handed, so things got even tighter. I was short stacked again but determined not to leave with nothing, unfortunately so was everyone else. I was patient though and waited for the cards, they came and I doubled up... twice. I thought well geez, I could win this. Then one player left, then another and we were left with three.
By this time it's after 1am and I have a dilemma on my hands. I need the cash and £600 aint bad for a nights work. Everyone had a similar amount of chips and we could've been there all night, I couldn't really stay much longer so I loosened up my play. I started losing but just wanted it over, in the end I went all in with pocket nines and was called with aces, so I went out.
I am confident I could of had it, but I sold out for the cash and my bed. I rationalised that there will be other big tournaments in my life, but hopefully not too many cash shortages so under the circumstances I made the right play.
Double Whammy - part 2
So the same night as I get the good news about the job I decide to go play poker. It is usually a £10 game on a Wednesday so figured it would be cheap. On arrival I find out that for the past few Wednesdays they have been running satellites for entry into a mini poker festival in early December and it's £20 entry. Dang, but well I was there and wanted to play so I entered.
I won.
It is however a two round sattelite, so I have won a £250 seat at the 2nd round next Wednesday, from which two seats are available for entry into the festval. The entry package consists of being entered into two tournaments, one a £250 pot limit hold 'em tournament, the other a £1000 freezeout no limit hold 'em tournament with the top prize some £30,000.
So it all depends on next Wednesday, I have a good chance though, there are only expected to be around 15 players next week so I'll keep you posted.
Double Whammy - part 1
Ding Ding, Round 3.
Yesterday afternoon I get the phone call back from the recruiter, and am through to the next round. There are however three candidates instead of the previously mentioned two, so they must be having a hard time deciding.
What does this mean? Well this interview consists of two parts, both of which I have to prepare beforehand. One is a mock press release aiming to gain maximum exposure for a new contract and is to include industry information, mock quotes etc. This sounds fine, nothing too much to worry about here.
Second task is to prepare a marketing communications plan detailing strategy for gaining increased profile in the German market, then deliver it on the day in a powerpoint presentation. This is going to require a lot of research as the German aspect is new ground for me, presentation will be no probs though.
Quite an interview huh.
The Freakin' Tension Is Killin' Me !
So, regarding the previously mentioned interview which took place last Wednesday, I have been waiting to hear what the outcome is for a week now. I parted on the promise that they would be in contact at the begining of the week or within a week at the most.
Monday - no call
Tuesday - no call
Wednesday - ok so there was a call but I missed it. After listening to the voicemail message, which gave nothing away, I call back only to find out that the guy is in a meeting for the rest of the day and may not be able to return any calls... ARGH !!!!!!
Job prospects
Contrary to my opinion poll on what I should do next I have opted for an office job. A mixture of 'it's time to get serious' syndrome and severe lack of funds has forced me to make this decision (mainly the latter!).
So one job came along that looks particularly interesting; good employer, $1 billion company, chance to travel, high starting salary etc. So I applied, not expecting too much. and after a preliminery interveiw I have been short listed from 108 applicants to the final 6.
Next interview on Wednesday, from which two applicants will go on to meet the vice-president of european development team (the week after) who will make the final decision.
All well and good (and quite exciting) but not much help for the cash crisis in the mean time, fingers crossed though.
