Posted by newfavourite
on Thu 11 Dec 08, 2:47 PM to newfavourite's blog.
Robert Frost: The best way out is always through.
Samuel Smiles: It is a mistake to suppose that men succeed through success; they much oftener succeed through failures. Precept, study, advice, and example could never have taught them so well as failure has done.
Last Wednesday I walked out of a room flushed with the sting of failure as if I had been slapped, hard across my face. The leafy lane that carried me head bowed towards home was lined with symbols of success. Here in the suburbs of academia even the buildings have a way of looking down their noses at you, I thought, as the trees of the University campus whispered, 'Get out'.
For seven days the rejection impacted on me, till my ego dared not even check the post any more. Those c*nts couldn't even be arsed to write and tell me I hadn't got the job! When I had sat at that long table in the narrow room, straining to see all the faces of the six people interviewing me, I had known it was bad. I didn't know who to look at, whilst their twelve eyes drilled into my reddening face. But I thought they might still have had the grace to tell me I had failed.
Whether it was my misplaced obsession with good manners, or a stubborn sense of self that will not accept complete disregard, today I found my hands dialling the number of the department that had scorned me a week before. And there lies the tale. Apparently I was a very strong candidate and I had 'come second' in the race. The secretary told me I was on a list, of people to call if and when further opportunities arose. One of the panel in particular had asked that I be kept on file. HR should be writing to me with this information.
I cannot say I succeeded at getting a job at this illustrious institution. January is still looking like the bleakest of midwinter months. I am swallowing my pride and looking for temping work. I still think the people who interviewed me were rude and thoughtless not to contact me with the outcome of the event. But somehow failure isn't feeling so bad anymore. Robert Frost was right. The best way out is always through.
Edited Thu 11 Dec 08, 3:22 PM by newfavourite
| 11 Dec 08, 2:55 PM Hester 6 yrs |
Not if you're less than half way.
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| 11 Dec 08, 3:33 PM Hester 6 yrs |
My apologies, that was a flippant response to an obviously heartfelt blog. You have a far more positive mental attitude than I. I'm sure you will achieve what you desire. | ||
| 11 Dec 08, 3:38 PM newfavourite UK(S), 4 yrs |
Thanks. I am not always positive but I try and turn things
round for the better when I can! Fight The Power | ||
| 11 Dec 08, 3:52 PM Cinnamon_Tart UK(S), 8 yrs  |
I'm sorry.  It is though. No matter what life throws at us, we find a way through. That which does not kill us... xxx Every person, all the events of your life are there because you have drawn them there. What you choose to do with them is up to you. - Richard Bach, Illusions | ||
| 11 Dec 08, 8:14 PM Scribbles UK(RH), 4 yrs |
Well done. As my mother would say, "it wasn't Meant" - the place will probably go up in smoke one night or something! Best of luck. And stop looking for bad vibes! | ||
| 11 Dec 08, 9:41 PM wonderer UK, 5 yrs  |
Having been involved in a lot of recruitment and also seen a lot of people lose jobs, one thing is obvious to me. There is a huge element of randomness, despite the best efforts put into selection. One should never take it personally.
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| 11 Dec 08, 10:50 PM newfavourite UK(S), 4 yrs |
Thanks. I know what you mean. Its better to try and draw out the positive vibes from any situation. Even when all evidence suggests the contrary! I am learning. Fight The Power | ||
| 12 Dec 08, 7:55 AM gentleman_spanker UK(SL), 4 yrs |
I work in recruitment and have exactly the same view as Wonderer - the decisions made around recruitment are usually massively subjective. Chin up big Jim was no one's fool, he owned the town's only diamond mine | ||
| 13 Dec 08, 11:54 PM SpiceCat UK(S), 11 yrs |
And selfishly.... we get to keep you in Sheffield. Yay!
You don't want to go back there anyway - so much more civilised here Spicecat | ||
| 14 Dec 08, 12:20 AM newfavourite UK(S), 4 yrs |
haha good point!
Thanks. There would have been plenty of writing in the role, but not incredibly creative.
I don't know how to add spice cat's comments to quote
on here. I am afraid you are stuck with me for a little
while yet! Fight The Power |
