Moving

Spent the whole weekend moving. Friday night was spent packing things up and putting them into cardboard boxes. Saturday morning the movers were suppose to arrive at 10am. They called at 10:30 and said they were going to be half an hour late. By 12:30 and numerous attempts to contact them (all of which ended in his voicemail) we decided to call another mover instead. Found someone who could come immediately but he was by himself, meaning I had to help with the heavy lifting. At this stage we were definitely NOT impressed with the original movers. So we spent Saturday afternoon and evening carting the stuff from our old house to the new. Luckily it was a relatively close move so it didn't take too long.

Sunday was spent unpacking and setting up our new place. It's a bigger house but it's also older. We're planning on living here for a couple of years before knocking it down and building on it. Best thing is, I got a room to myself. It's the biggest room in the house as well, alot better than the little "corner of the house" I had back at the old place.

It is now Monday morning and I'm at work. My weekend didn't feel like a weekend. Things are about 90% set up. There are still little bits and pieces left in the old house. So I guess here's a start to another chapter in my life. Since we arrived in Australia, we've been living at the following locations: Dulwich Hill (a few months) --> Marrickville (2 yrs) --> Greenacre (6 yrs) --> Mount Druitt (5 yrs) --> Yagoona (3 yrs) --> Sefton

I wonder what happened to the original movers? It better be a good excuse like he got into an accident on the way to our place or something.

Being forgotten

I've been looking for a new job for the past month or so. Most of these jobs I'm applying to are through an employment agency. It's not because I want to but because companies tend to outsource this part to the "professionals" who do it for a living.

In the past, I would send my resume and a short cover letter to the agency and if I didn't get a reply, then I can assume that I wasn't suitable for the position. However, after a significant number of no-replies I've decided to "agressively" follow-up my application. Each and every one of them. It is only until I've started doing this that I've realise how many times my application just sits in the consultants inbox, just rotting away. I understand they are busy but it's common courtesy to reply to someone who has taken the time to apply for a job. Even a generic "You are not suitable but we'll keep your resume on file for future positions" reply is better than nothing.

So I have decided, in fact I am relishing, the act of calling these consultants up, asking for a progress report and hear them squirm as they make up excuses for not replying to my application. Sadistic I know, but that's just me. I used to be fairly shy when it comes to talking on the phone about these sorta things as I felt I was doing the wrong thing. But now I am doing it because I know it is my right to know. So a tip for all those who may be/are looking for a job. ALWAYS follow up or risk being forgotten.