Job phone interview

ddraver

Arrgghh!!! I Signed up to LinkedIn 4 or 5 months ago and have just got the offer of a phone interview for a similar position to the one I'm in now in Holland (just south of Amsterdam). I'm seriously confused about what to do! I'm not overly happy where I am now but on the other hand i work with decent enough people, the work is interesting although is not exactly at the cutting edge of geological science, I ve got one or two really good friends and the Mountain biking is pretty special here....but on the other hand, i ve been a single man in a sea of couples and OAP's (Llandudno is not exactly a hive of social activity), my manager is a major pen1s who undervalues me and I'm not exactly earning what I could do elsewhere

If i was to stay in the UK, it is most likely that I ll end up in Aberdeen (I'm in the oil industry), which in a wierd way might actually be even further away from home (Cornwall) and my mates in N Wales...

what to do!!!!

edit - s*d it, that rant has convinced me, It's worth hearing the guy out either way is nt it!! Time to get in touch with my inner roadie Sorry!

Pross

My tuppence worth - as you are single then now is the time to try things. My only real regret in life is that I didn't try a few more things when I had the chance (would love to have tried working in NZ or Canada or putting a stash of cash in the bank with a few years in the UAE). Once you settle down and have kids it all becomes much harder and you can upset too many people if you then follow your dreams. As you said yourself, no harm in hearing him out. My mates brother moved to Holland a few years back in the pharmaceutical industry and has never looked back, loves the lifestyle out there.

Cleat Eastwood

You've nothing to lose dude. They wont offer you the job straight away so why not do the interview, get a feel for whats on offer and if you want the job and its offered, take it...if not dont accept and keep enjoying the orme. its win win. Good luck anyway.

dmch2

When I got my current job I also had phone interviews for another job. Both places offered me a job but I turned down the phone interview one (which didn't quite sound so good in the first place anyway).

But I gained experience in phone interviews in case I ever need to do a phone interview again. Especially as it was with an Indian gentleman with a very thick accent and a very dodgy Skype connection. Plus I still occasionally get mails from them asking if I'm looking for a job again.

It also showed that my current job was a good bet as it was the same salary but seemed a better fit for me.

So go for it - you can always says no and even if you do you still gain

I've worked a little bit in Aberdeen (oil related) and whilst there are lots of non-Scots there some friends who worked there long term said there can be a background level of anti-English feeling (out of the office). Not sure if this is true ot not but it's something to be aware of.

Finally - I hope your boss doesn't read this topic after what you called him :shock:

ddraver

pretty sure he's not a cyclist so i think I'm safe (not sure it would be news for him either, but I may be wrong!)

be interesting if the Aberdeen anti-English feeling is any worse from the Welsh one, (I suppose I might understand what they re calling me though!!)

dmch2

I think Aberdeen is meant to be specifically worse than other parts of Scotland / Wales as there are so many English (and to be fair people from other countries) there as the world has a limited number of specialists in oil and the ones in the UK end up in Aberdeen.

bikey2009

I'd accepted the interview, you don't have to accept the job, remember to ask questions about the job that will be important to you.

As others have said any job offer may be an exciting experience and also improve your prospectives in the future as you have proved your flexibility and williness to take on new challenges.

Good luck.

unixnerd

If i was to stay in the UK, it is most likely that I ll end up in Aberdeen

I lived there for 12 years and still go once a week, ROV and pipeline stuff.

The social life in oily circles can be very good, especially if you work for an oil company or have them as a direct client. Get a flat near the centre of town, I lived in Ferryhill. If you're on the outskirts it's a hassle. Depending on your field there are good opportunities to move around too. Rates are down on last year but still good and there's a decent amonut of work around. Talented folk will always find work.

Lots of good road cycling around Deeside and Donside. Decent mountain biking near Aberdeen and lots of good stuff further inland. It's an OK place to cycle around for commuting and has some recent cycle lanes. In the winter you're about and hour from skiing at the Lecht or 2 from Cairngorm.

I left as I missed the Highlands too much. But I miss some of the social life I used to have (but not the restaurant bills!).

some friends who worked there long term said there can be a background level of anti-English feeling (out of the office).

I've seldom seen it outside a work environment. In work it can be case if the person is the kind of guy folk would dislike regardless of his race. I've never seen it about an average guy or someone who was well liked / good at his job. At least half the folk are English / French / African / etc.

hopper1

What on earth are you using Linkedin for?...
With a background in Geology, and seemingly an interest in oilfield technology, why not just use drillers.com as a starter?
I'm Welsh, living in England, working on rotation in Nigeria!...
I didn't live in Aberdeen, but spent the last two years working off the Shetlands.
To my mind, all this anti English stuff is mainly just good humoured banter, with the 'odd' exception.
If you like your present area, why not try a rotational contract somewhere, then you get the best of both worlds...

If your boss is a pen1s, then it's a no brainer, if you feel you are underpaid, then that only adds fuel to the fire, in my eyes!
Make your move, before you get well and truly stuck in the rut!...

Elston

drillers.com :shock:

Le Commentateur

Good cyclocross scene in Holland.