It’s funny I was ready to give this site up. The reason is I have basically been semi-retired for nearly four years now.
Although I now I am interested in working again, but it’s difficult given my circumstances.
Let me explain. I have NO real qualification, I left school at 15 and went to work straight away sweeping up in a cardboard box factory, Sure, over the years I moved up various ladders (I also fell down a few snakes0 but by the time I left the UK, I had been in many roles where I was setting up and running teams, Sales, Marketing, Technical support, I have provided Business training and been given my first steps on the work ladder what I would describe as successful.
But, I am no longer in the UK, I am in Asia, and suddenly all my experience stands for nothing, I have no contacts and no record in the area. And in this part of Asia qualifications are everything.
One of the reasons these Asian countries are charging forward is that they employ highly qualified staff.
Sure, I can do the job, sure I am good at what I do (IMHO) but that means nothing over here.
So, it was quite exciting recently when my spur of the moment e-mail to a new well funded organisation over here was at least good enough to warrant them calling me.
I guess looking back that was the first step on the recruitment path, but the call came completely out of the blue and therefore I fell I did not give me best. I had hope though as the young lady on the phone said they would like to set up a meeting with me next week. Sadly, next week came and went and the next. I thought that was it, I was never going to work locally.
Then my wife met somebody who was looking for some help with marketing his company.
Luckily for me he was an American guy who also lives over here, so, we set up a meeting to see if they could use me.
It was great for me, I checked their website and form that I realised they needed help, a lot of help on the marketing side.
At our meeting it started off like a job interview and when the question of my resume’ came up, I knew I had to take control.
So, I did and I peppered him with questions, with ideas and with my thoughts on what they needed to do.
I have been in this position before, they either think you are a know it all asshole or a valuable resource that they can tap into.
You see the fact is I may have no paper qualifications but I have a mensa level IQ, a very fast mind and I am not afraid to question why things are as they are.
Well, my guy lapped it up and was ready to move forward, said he wanted me to help. Now, at this stage I took a step back, I don’t want to get sucked in to 9-5, I don;t want to be out on the road or even stuck in an office, but I do want to provide my help and ideas, So, I told him I don;t want to discuss money, I did want to help and would accept payment as and when he felt I warranted it. A risk I know, but I felt it was a fair point to allow them to show what I can do.
I felt alive, my mind had opened up again and I was writing down idea after idea.
So, let’s see how this turns out.
Stick with me
