Crunch day

[Kendhni]

Bitter-sweet day yesterday. As many of you know, last year upon returning from holiday, I found out I had fallen foul of this recession and had been made redundant ... I had survived many previous rounds of redundancies (actually made it into the last 10% of employees). It was a sad day after over 20 years with the company. Fortunately I have always tried to keep my skills up to date and found work within a few weeks (my old company asked me to come back). I knew at the time that it was for a specific contract they had won but hoped that maybe things would have turned around.

However come the new year I could again see things going quiet and was starting to get concerned, so started looking around again. At the end of January one of the recruiters I had been talking to the previous year cold called me (he had even changed company) and sent me a job description. What I read was right up my street ... and not only that, it was almost like a 'dream job' for me .. so I jumped at it. There were 2 interviews and then an email arrived with a task that had to be completed and presented to the company (in a very short timescale) ... and at the same time my current company was expecting to pass more exams for certification ... so that is why I have been 'hiding' for a while. After the presentation there was then a final interview. The recruiter informed me that he had more than one person in for the job and my competition was very strong.

So yesterday I got offered the job. I am absolutely over the moon and can't wait to get started. The role goes right back to my roots and is probably my favourite task within IT .. as I said, it is a dream job for me.

The 'bitter' side is that it will be sad yet again to be leaving my company and, unfortunately I have found out that I am on 2 months notice (whereas I thought it was 1) ... so I have my fingers crossed that this does not affect the offer.

[Kendhni]

PS: Thanks for all the good wishes and alternative suggestions

[Silver_Shiney]

That's great news, Ken, I am thrilled for you. Is there any flexibility in this two months notice business? Have you any holiday time you could take to cut it short?

Best wishes

[Meg 50]

well done Ken, I'm glad you got your first choice secondary school !

hopefully the notice period can be sorted

[Dancing Queen]

Congratulations Ken

[JenniC]

Hi Ken, this is brilliant news for you and I am so pleased - try and negotiate the notice period most reputable companies will be flexible. Very best of luck in your new job when you start

[Jan Rosser]

Amazing news - so pleased for you - it has been a bit of a nightmare but you've turned the corner I'm sure the notice period can be negotiated - as already said there is always room for negotiation.

[GillD46]

Congratulations on the new job. Surely a couple of months notice is actually quite short, so your new employers must expect at least that and probably more. And sometimes companies can be flexible about these matters.

Good luck anyway.

[oldbluefox]

That's wonderful news Ken. Many congratulations.
Time now for Julie to go out and celebrate with your credit card!!

[Wina G]

Congratulations Ken, well done

[jay-ell71]

Excellent news. Now you can start looking forward again. All the best. Jay.

[kaymar]

Well done, Ken. Sounds like a spot of sick leave coming up.

[towny44]

Congratulations Ken, I hope the new job lives up to all your expectations. John.

[bassman67]

Offer them 2 months pay in lieu of notice, Ken. They'd probably do that to you if it suited!

[Quizzical Bob]

Well done Ken! You must always follow your heart. Are they paying you monthly? If so, then I don't know that they can enforce the two months clause. I would advise a joint discussion. Most companies would not want to keep someone who wants to leave. Don't feel bad about leaving. Where was their sentiment when they got rid of you?

[Sealion]

Delighted to hear your good news.
My job disappeared following a major reorganisation. I did not want the new job the company insisted I accept as i did not sign up to be a number cruncher and would have lost my freedom, client and staff contact and company car. I worked for a global plc and after many months of struggle and much anguish I was able to take early retirement - fortunately I was in a final salary pension scheme and could take an immediate pension. Reluctantly they gave me three months garden leave. After this I found a part time job in the legal profession and never looked back.
So I know how you must have felt with your job uncertantly hanging over your head in recent months. You have a new job as you were the best candidate and I am sure than the notice period will not be an obstacle.
Celebrate and book a cruise this weekend!

[paultheeagle]

Well done on getting your new job.

[Jean W]

Well done Ken - I can uncross my fingers now then

[Stephen]

I bet money passed hands somewhere along the line

[Romig1]

Great news, Ken.

[sumdumbloke]

You may have other reasons for not wanting to do it this way, but notice periods are almost impossible to enforce other than if agreed to in very specific contractual terms. If it came to an attempt to legally hold you to a general notice term, in circumstances such as you've described. they would almost certainly fail.

[Ray Scully]

Ken

Have you been head hunted to head up a team to restore the P&O forum

Ray

[Manoverboard]

Ken

Have you been head hunted to head up a team to restore the P&O forum

Ray

He wouldn't be interested in doing that, the very idea of getting free cruises would appal him .... wouldn't it

[Ray Scully]

Ken

Have you been head hunted to head up a team to restore the P&O forum

Ray

He wouldn't be interested in doing that, the very idea of getting free cruises would appal him .... wouldn't it

Moby

But he will find the attraction of choosing those to be invited to the launch parties irresistible.

Ray

[Keechy]

Congratulations, Ken. I read your description of the interview process and I'm so glad I don't have to go through all that again. I'm sure I'd never have a job if I had to! I've been lucky over the past 25 years or so in that all moves to new companies have been by default due to take-overs so no interviews were involved. It's about to happen again but as I'm past retiring age, I'm not that bothered. It looks as if I'm going to be part time without too much reduction in wages but it would be nice if they could make me redundant!