Keeping at it!

I thought it was time for an update as lots has happened since my last entry! It has been a busy couple of months. I finished my job at the end of July after making the bold decision to move on without having another job lined up. Not only that, I moved towns too and am now back in my hometown. It’s strange – at the time I made the decision I was pretty nervous about it – but when it came time to leave I felt much calmer and knew I was making the right decision. It felt good, in fact, as I knew I was moving towards want I want for my life.

Shortly after I moved I got asked to an interview, the day after which I got offered the job! I’ve now been at that job a week and I love it. If I could have written a specification for the perfect job at this time in my life, this would be it. It is still within accountancy, based in the accounts team at a private school. The role is not too demanding and is close to home, leaving me plenty of time and energy to write.

Ironically, though, I have been spending so much time sorting things out – first from the move and then for the new job – that I’ve hardly written at all lately! However, I know I’ve almost got things in place so that I can start to do more. I’m aiming to stop off at the library on my way home from work in the evenings to get in some uninterrupted writing time and I’m also going to join a local writers’ group, which is something I haven’t done before.

Something worth pointing out and reinforcing to anyone still looking to make that next crucial step is to say KEEP AT IT!! Overall, it has been more than a year between deciding I want to move on and finding this job, admittedly with some toing and froing in the middle. There were times when I thought I might as well give up, but now I’m glad I didn’t give in to those negative voices.

One other thing I have discovered is the relative unhelpfulness of recruitment consultants. This might not be the case across all sectors, but certainly within accountancy I found that as soon as they realised I didn’t just want to hurtle up the career ladder they weren’t interested. I guess the greater my salary, the higher their commission. The job I’m in now suits me perfectly and I found it and got it all under my own steam. So don’t let anyone dictate which career path you should take or what your next step should be – apart from you. Trust your inner voices (the positive ones!)

Good luck to those of you still searching – and keep at it!!!