So I guess I left the last blog on a cliffhanger. Not entirely intentional, mostly just because I’d already gone through the better part of 1000 words, forgot about it for a while, came back later, and just hit submit.
But yes, I’d been looking for part time jobs for when I go back to university. I was starting to lose hope after looking around Exeter, and I had come somewhat unprepared. Half of the places asked for CVs (which I hadn’t thought to print off), some wanted me to go apply online (I had no internet there), one wanted me to go online, download an application form, print it off, and bring it in the next day. Couldn’t they just GIVE me one? Oh, and then some were in fast food places. No, just no. GAME were looking for someone, but it was only 4 hours a week and chances are they’d have filled it by the time I got a chance to bring a CV down. Some bookshop wanted someone but stated that you’d have to be around in the holidays, and I’m not willing to spend all of my holidays in Exeter in an empty house.
It wasn’t looking too good really. But I did have one other possibility. I’d seen one job advertised on the university website, so I gave them a call when I was down in Exeter. I was in luck, they were doing interviews at 11am the next day! Well, not that much luck actually, since my train was booked for 12pm the next day, and there was no chance of me making that in time. Still, no problem, I could just buy another ticket.
Of course, then another problem came to mind. All I had with me to wear was a pair of jeans and a couple of t-shirts. I couldn’t really go to a job interview like that. Usually I’d have given up at this point, but after seeing what else there was available (pretty much nothing) I didn’t want to mess up this one chance. The pay was pretty good too, and it looked pretty flexible for students. It does involve phoning people up, which I’m not a big fan of.. but I’d rather that than work in a supermarket (which I’ve done before, and never want to do again). I could bear it if I meant I could actually afford to spend money on nicer things than budget food.
So I went back into town again and bought myself a cheap shirt, pair of smart trousers, and tie. Then I realised that wearing trainers wouldn’t be the best idea either, so I picked up some cheap smart looking shoes too. I needed some more since I ruined my previous ones at Reading Festival anyway. Then for good measure, I decided to book myself in for a haircut the next morning. Overkill? Well, I’d find out the next day, I guess.
That night I realised that sleeping in an entirely empty house is kinda creepy, but I was so tired from the previous night anyway that it didn’t matter, and I slept through from around 9pm to 9am.
The next day answered my previous question – Yes, it was overkill. While I still wouldn’t have felt right going to an interview in jeans, t shirt, and trainers, the tie was definitely overkill. Half the people there weren’t very smart at all, and I felt a bit out of place. And it didn’t seem so much an interview as a formality, as they had me filling in Tax forms and asking when I could start within minutes. But, in the end, it doesn’t really matter much. It wasn’t worth the risk not getting it, and the extra £50 spent on clothes and an extra train ticket will be quickly made back.
Hurray, I can stop complaining about money now.
