The grumpy thread

[New POD]

3 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

I received a call last week from a recruitment agency who had reviewed my application for a job that I was really keen on. The lady there said that she was impressed with it and after speaking with the hiring manager they both felt that I was a good fit for the role.

Today I got a straight decline from them.

So that's 17 jobs I have applied for, spending approximately 2 hours on each to make sure I have positioned everything well and with the exception of 2 unsuccessful interviews I have been flatly declined.

Unsure where to go from here.

I'm a firm believer in playing the odds.

17 applications at 2 hours a piece is a full time job, but you can now reuse those 17 applications to increase the quantity to 34 in a week. 

You can improve the 1 in 8.5 interview odds by phoning the RC and saying something like "I thought I'd better phone because I think I might look over qualified and i wanted to make sure of.....etc" 

Or "I see the role for x, in y industry. I just wanted to make sure that i didnt waste your time by applying if you wouldn't consider someone from z industry..."

Then when you email it, phone them again to say "I just wanted to check it's arrived because ive been having issues with my email recently" 

More likely to go to top of pile. 

Can't help much with the interview. Suit and folder is my usual mode. 

But if you can get from 1 in 8.5 to 1 in 4 that gets you 8 interviews per week rather than 2.  

I've been going into battle at an average of 3 people being interviewed per job, and my hit rate over 10 years of contracting is 14 interviews and 7 offers. 

Telephone interviews and second interviews I have a 80% fail rate.  

I do better if there are 3 jobs and 2 people being interviewed. Thats happened twice. 

 

[New POD]

2 hours ago, chadders said:

As saabnut says you just have to keep going.

You'll get one eventually but how long it takes can be a matter of luck and how much effort you put in.

I'd contact the recruitment agency to see why you didn't get the job they discussed with you, there may have been a late internal candidate for example.

But don't expect the real truth.  What you want is the feedback my son got.  

When we asked who most inspires you in life, your girlfriend was not the answer even if it's true. 

[Split_Pin]

I asked the recruitment agency for feedback this morning. Considering she replied to my original e-mail straight away, which was about my disappointment of not even being considered for an interview for a job that she said she felt I was suitable for, I'll take the lack of response since then as radio silence. Less than helpful.

[New POD]

1 hour ago, Split_Pin said:

I asked the recruitment agency for feedback this morning. Considering she replied to my original e-mail straight away, which was about my disappointment of not even being considered for an interview for a job that she said she felt I was suitable for, I'll take the lack of response since then as radio silence. Less than helpful.

Two points I'd like to make. 

Email. Can be ignored. Phone but be polite. If you are going to be a little assertive (rude, pushy) say " I know this is going to sound churlish...." 

And imagine you are an RC.  Targets, commission, all at the mercy of the candidate. Don't waste time on failed candidates. Find another before your competitors fill the role.  Must be soul destroying.  Worse than being a letting agent.  Be nice to them. Pretend that you like them. A smile can be heard down the phone. 

[Frogchod]

8 hours ago, Saabnut said:

To save you a lot of effort, there are NO reasons!

Seller has gone quiet and the adverts been pulled

I only asked if the log book was in his name...

Bloody expats. ..

[Timewaster]

2 hours ago, Frogchod said:

 

Bloody expats. ..

I know. Going over there, leaving our Jobs....

[dozeydustman]

Mother in law's funeral yesterday, I had 4 pints of cider in the evening and I am still hungover and feel sick.

I may have to give up drinking as even 2 glasses of wine with dinner, or a wee dram before bedtime and I feel lousy for days now.

[New POD]

Yes indeed. A nice scotch on a Sunday night is my little tipple, to set me up for a week feeling like shite. 

[chaseracer]

On 7/1/2019 at 9:12 AM, Tenmil Socket said:

What is it you do for a living? 

Milkman.

[richardmorris]

On 7/1/2019 at 9:12 AM, Tenmil Socket said:

What is it you do for a living? 

As little as possible.

[richardmorris]

2 hours ago, chaseracer said:

Milkman.

?

[MikeR]

On 7/1/2019 at 3:05 PM, TheDoctor said:

What's worse than feeling like crap, aching and constantly tired and having to go for tests? 

Yeah, getting results back as 'normal'. 

Fucksake. 

Yes I sympathise .  one night last week and again last night i was on the bed with both legs and arms burning with pain .... But nothing wrong as far as the experts can tell !!!

[New POD]

4 minutes ago, MikeR said:

Yes I sympathise .  one night last week and again last night i was on the bed with both legs and arms burning with pain .... But nothing wrong as far as the experts can tell !!!

You are allergic to red wine mate. Just stick to water

 

[anonymous user]

3 hours ago, chaseracer said:

Milkman.

You are Pat Mustard AICMFP

[Wack]

Fuck me , some people , hopefully having your face in 4K while you're driving like a twat is enough to secure a conviction

 

https://www.liveleak.com/view?t=sr5qa_1562008431

[chaseracer]

9 hours ago, richardmorris said:

?

Sorry Rich, I forgot the  smiley...

[Tetleysmooth]

I didn't know whether to post this here, or in the 'What the **** is wrong with you' thread.

Tetley is a worried chap this morning. I had my HGV medical a couple of weeks ago, and seemingly everything was fine, passed with no advisories. Then, either Friday or Saturday I received a letter from the Nazi party - sorry - DVLA, telling me I had to attend a 'field of vision' test. They provided a list of approved opticians, but it was the wording of the letter that got me - 'if you do not make an appointment, or turn up to an appointment, we will revoke your licence', maybe not exactly the wording, but you get the gist.

So, yesterday, Tetley turned up for said appointment. One of the first questions I asked was would they tell me if I had met the standard. They do not discuss the outcome of the test with you, it's between them and the DVLA. I  had to sit the test 3 times. You look at an orange dot in the middle of a white screen, and further dots appear in random places all over the white screen. You have to press a button every time you see a white dot appear. It's an awful test. Your eyes cross, focus, re-focus, and you're so busy thinking of that, you probably miss some dots. I had to do a regular sight test as well, in which I read the bottom line.

I got home to find yet another Nazi party letter waiting for me. Our DVLA doctor is assessing your fitness to drive, and will be writing to Dr ******** etc.etc.

I've got an awful feeling they're going to take my HGV entitlement away. I can see fine. My eyes are better than Mrs Tet's, yet the Nazis have got it into their heads that I need a white stick to get around.

Because they won't tell me anything, I now have weeks of stress coming up. Oh joy.

[shedenvy]

Booked the shonky Alfa 147 in for a MOT tomorrow.  Last night I went out to do the simple pre-MOT checks. 

Says me:

"Rear wiper perished (fine not testable), little more rust on the sills than i'd like (better not poke it), oh and what's this - front fogs not working.  Never mind, i'm sure that's not testable, I wonder if it's the bulbs, how do you even get to them on a 147?  I know i'll open the bonnet."

.....

Bonnet release comes off in hand with a very loose cable.

.....

"bumhats" (or words to that effect)

 

It's snapped off at the latch.  A non opening bonnet is a refusal of test I hear, so my best option now is to undo the three retaining 10mm nuts on the latch through the muff shaped grill.  Handily 4 of the 6 grill screws were finger tight and I managed to undo them from the outside.  This has given me about a 3x4inch hole to put my forearm into to try and access said nuts.

I managed to get bottom centre off, top right is going to be fun!

 

[Floatylight]

I didn't know whether to post this here, or in the 'What the **** is wrong with you' thread.
Tetley is a worried chap this morning. I had my HGV medical a couple of weeks ago, and seemingly everything was fine, passed with no advisories. Then, either Friday or Saturday I received a letter from the Nazi party - sorry - DVLA, telling me I had to attend a 'field of vision' test. They provided a list of approved opticians, but it was the wording of the letter that got me - 'if you do not make an appointment, or turn up to an appointment, we will revoke your licence', maybe not exactly the wording, but you get the gist.
So, yesterday, Tetley turned up for said appointment. One of the first questions I asked was would they tell me if I had met the standard. They do not discuss the outcome of the test with you, it's between them and the DVLA. I  had to sit the test 3 times. You look at an orange dot in the middle of a white screen, and further dots appear in random places all over the white screen. You have to press a button every time you see a white dot appear. It's an awful test. Your eyes cross, focus, re-focus, and you're so busy thinking of that, you probably miss some dots. I had to do a regular sight test as well, in which I read the bottom line.
I got home to find yet another Nazi party letter waiting for me. Our DVLA doctor is assessing your fitness to drive, and will be writing to Dr ******** etc.etc.
I've got an awful feeling they're going to take my HGV entitlement away. I can see fine. My eyes are better than Mrs Tet's, yet the Nazis have got it into their heads that I need a white stick to get around.
Because they won't tell me anything, I now have weeks of stress coming up. Oh joy.

Hi Tetley, I had to have this and a load of other tests a couple of weeks ago as I've got an enlarged petruitary gland which could be pressing on my optic nerve. The field of vision test was the most difficult and I'm sure I missed a never of dots and imagined a load of other phantom dots as well yet my vision was deemed normal. As I was doing that part of the test it's the first time I thought "Maybe there is an issue, what if I lose my licence... (que spiral of dismal thoughts about work etc whilst doing the test) So wait and see what happens.. A bit concerning though that they won't tell you, I would of thought in the times of GDPR they would be obliged to copy you into any letter if asked or at least tell you...

Sent from my Moto G (5) using Tapatalk

[Tenmil Socket]

11 hours ago, richardmorris said:

As little as possible.

OK. I just thought I could maybe help you with the ICP issue...

[Tetleysmooth]

22 minutes ago, Floatylight said:

Hi Tetley, I had to have this and a load of other tests a couple of weeks ago as I've got an enlarged petruitary gland which could be pressing on my optic nerve. The field of vision test was the most difficult and I'm sure I missed a never of dots and imagined a load of other phantom dots as well yet my vision was deemed normal. As I was doing that part of the test it's the first time I thought "Maybe there is an issue, what if I lose my licence... (que spiral of dismal thoughts about work etc whilst doing the test) So wait and see what happens.. A bit concerning though that they won't tell you, I would of thought in the times of GDPR they would be obliged to copy you into any letter if asked or at least tell you...

Sent from my Moto G (5) using Tapatalk
 

Hello Floaty.

So, you got your licence ok?

I'm sure I missed some dots as well, but I'm bloody sure I got the majority of them. It's so hard trying to concentrate on that orange dot in the centre, all your instincts are telling you to look around the screen, but you mustn't.

I tried to tell the optician that when you're driving a lorry, you just don't sit rigidly watching an orange dot on the windscreen, your eyes are constantly going from mirror to mirror, and you don't miss a thing. He wouldn't even discuss that with me either.

[Floatylight]

Hello Floaty.
So, you got your licence ok?
I'm sure I missed some dots as well, but I'm bloody sure I got the majority of them. It's so hard trying to concentrate on that orange dot in the centre, all your instincts are telling you to look around the screen, but you mustn't.
I tried to tell the optician that when you're driving a lorry, you just don't sit rigidly watching an orange dot on the windscreen, your eyes are constantly going from mirror to mirror, and you don't miss a thing. He wouldn't even discuss that with me either.

Hi Tetley, mine is just a normal licence but I drive a lot for work, problem with the dot dear is your mind starts playing tricks on you.. Hope you find out soon and it's a good outcome..

Sent from my Moto G (5) using Tapatalk

[kirton]

field of vision test has been standard for some years wherever I've been for a test, in theory annually as I've worn glasses for 65 years;  makes me suspect that a lot of drivers never have an eye test given the fixed stare ahead of many.

I doubt the optician will tell you what the result is;  one of my acquaintances is an optician who does tests of drivers referred by (eg) police, DVLA  - they pay for it so it is their property, so just book yourself an eye test and you will find out how good/bad your eyesight is;  hope it shows all is fine

[dozeydustman]

3 hours ago, Tetleysmooth said:

I didn't know whether to post this here, or in the 'What the **** is wrong with you' thread.

Tetley is a worried chap this morning. I had my HGV medical a couple of weeks ago, and seemingly everything was fine, passed with no advisories. Then, either Friday or Saturday I received a letter from the Nazi party - sorry - DVLA, telling me I had to attend a 'field of vision' test. They provided a list of approved opticians, but it was the wording of the letter that got me - 'if you do not make an appointment, or turn up to an appointment, we will revoke your licence', maybe not exactly the wording, but you get the gist.

So, yesterday, Tetley turned up for said appointment. One of the first questions I asked was would they tell me if I had met the standard. They do not discuss the outcome of the test with you, it's between them and the DVLA. I  had to sit the test 3 times. You look at an orange dot in the middle of a white screen, and further dots appear in random places all over the white screen. You have to press a button every time you see a white dot appear. It's an awful test. Your eyes cross, focus, re-focus, and you're so busy thinking of that, you probably miss some dots. I had to do a regular sight test as well, in which I read the bottom line.

I got home to find yet another Nazi party letter waiting for me. Our DVLA doctor is assessing your fitness to drive, and will be writing to Dr ******** etc.etc.

I've got an awful feeling they're going to take my HGV entitlement away. I can see fine. My eyes are better than Mrs Tet's, yet the Nazis have got it into their heads that I need a white stick to get around.

Because they won't tell me anything, I now have weeks of stress coming up. Oh joy.

Fully sympathise with you here Tetley. It took 18 months to get my HGV back after I had a second bout of vertigo, despite my GP and specialist declaring me fit to drive in January 2018.

one bit of advice I will give you is inform the surgery DVLA are writing to them and see the GP who needs to fill in the report, ideally chatting with them at the same time just so they can verify that between the actual medical and the all clear being given is good.

i had mine declined on the word of a GP at the practice I have never seen nor did he/she request to see me to check and verify that what I had filled in was true. This set me getting my license back by 3 months minimum, and even after I applied again the all clear from my GP had the be given the once over by the DVLA’s medical team and I had to attend a recognised clinic.

unfortunately this is a result of that dustcart driver from Glasgow who had an attack at the wheel and killed several members of the public. By all accounts he’d not declared he’d had severe health issues in the past that might affect his ability to drive, though he’d lost his previous job as a bus driver through ill health.

it’s a real ballache and these letters are just formalities but unless something has been flagged up you should be ok

[Mrcento]

Finding car hunting fairly depressing,

On the somewhat bright side, the lack of semi interesting dailys at anywhere near a sensible price is steering me more and more towards complete "fuck it" territory and either getting something life ruining and/or MOT exempt age.

[hairnet]

rear brake master cylinder lid and bolts for honda cb500

honda uk 25 quid for the lid (!) and 80p a bolt - didnt think it was gonna be that 10-15 maybe

honda usa $3.47 for lid and 30 cent a bolt

what drugs are they on as its the same distance from thai to here as thai to usa ffs where the bike and parts are made

piss taking twats

[Lankytim]

I've been playing with my "new" V70 D5, it's the same as the old one only it isn't rotten. The interior was slightly tired so i've been swapping various parts over and i've ended up with a 90% mintola interior. The only part I ballsed up was swapping one of the rear backrests over. The original had broken plastics and was jammed shut. After much swearing and violence I managed to get it out.  The new backrest went in but needed a bit of a wiggle to click home, only I somehow managed to trap and cut three wires associated with the seatbelt pretensioners. Feck!! I've half repaired them but now I can't find my soldering iron. A quick job turned into a race against the clock to get it ready for work tonight. 

[Mrcento]

3 minutes ago, hairnet said:

rear brake master cylinder lid and bolts for honda cb500

honda uk 25 quid for the lid (!) and 80p a bolt - didnt think it was gonna be that 10-15 maybe

honda usa $3.47 for lid and 30 cent a bolt

what drugs are they on as its the same distance from thai to here as thai to usa ffs

piss taking twats

Dealer mark ups likely.

My local Fiat dealer is a bit like that. The few times i contacted them in a pinch when i just needed the part asap, they stock absolutely nothing, no matter how common the part is across the range "Needs to come from Italy pal, will be £60+ VAT" for parts that cost under £10 from a factors. Even service parts. Useless.

Actually found my local Vauxhall dealer is more reliable for having Fiat specific parts on the shelf in an emergency, often at about a third of the price of the Fiat dealer.

[andy18s]

43 minutes ago, hairnet said:

rear brake master cylinder lid and bolts for honda cb500

honda uk 25 quid for the lid (!) and 80p a bolt - didnt think it was gonna be that 10-15 maybe

honda usa $3.47 for lid and 30 cent a bolt

what drugs are they on as its the same distance from thai to here as thai to usa ffs where the bike and parts are made

piss taking twats

Performance Bikes priced up a Kwak 600 Ninja using dealer parts back in the early 90's

What was a 6k bike came in at over 25k ...

[meggersdog]

Yeah so the weather is hot and I called into a shop on the way home to buy a cold drink.I present the counter staff with a Scottish  £20 and the lady behind the counter says "sorry, can't accept that" (we are in Cambridgeshire,England) . I told her it is legal tender but she still refused saying her boss won't accept it. There is a post office at the side of her which I pointed out."it's a different till" she says. She agreed the post office is open so I asked if I buy a stamp from the post office with the Scottish note will that be okay. "the boss won't accept it" I pointed out he is not the boss of post office counters and has no say in the matter. I need to speak to him about this error of his judgement. All I get is a first name and he comes in on Friday mornings.

After dropping a car off when I got home I get the number of post office counters complaints but they are closed.Oh well, that's a job for the morning then

 

 

Bugger, just thought.I should have put the drink back and got a can of Irn bru instead. Then it would have been deemed racist.

Edited July 3, 2019 by meggersdog
comedic value