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I've been really actively job searching lately. I've applied for absolutely everything I think I can do to get back into IT, and after many rejection emails, I've finally got a call.
This was from a recruitment company hiring on behalf of the actual organisation. Asked all the standard questions, and enquired about the move from IT to Travel and whether I am confident to be able to do the job again.
One concern he had for me, is that his client will be looking at my resume, and notice that I have been out of the field for 1.5 years and possibly out of touch making me less appealing as a candidate as the others who are still currently in the same industry.
However, he is going to try and put me forward for an interview with the hiring manager, then it's up to me to make an impression.
To be honest I am extremely nervous. It has indeed been a year and a half since I have been in a corporate environment, and while travel agency is still a "Professional" job - I use completely different manners and language to my colleagues and clients than in corporate.
Will get another call tomorrow to arrange the interview.
Update you soon.
Don't worry, not mine.
My cousin gave birth to a beautiful little girl last month. Isabella.
She was tiny you could fit the whole of her with 2 hands!
Only 1 month later now - she has grown double her size. Wow.
I like babies. At this age. Even if they cry it isn't really that loud. Poor cousins though, sleeps on average 2 hours a night or something. One major reason I don't want one.
Will reckons I am a in-the-closet-baby-lover, coz I'll look at the baby for ages, making faces and stuff trying to make her laugh (I don't think she can comprehend emotions just yet, but it's just something you do!) - yet, I am still afraid of holding the baby and definitely still don't want one of my own.
Think of all the sleepless hours, think of all the expenditure and cost through at least the first 15 years, think of all the fun and adventure we'll be missing out on, just because baby needs to sleep and we need to be there to watch over it.
Otherwise we'll be reported to DOCS if we just left it alone!
I've heard all the "Oh once you've had your own, you'll change" and "having the baby will be the best thing you've ever done in your life" - call me skeptic, but I am sure these mothers weren't thinking that when they suffer from the pain of pregnancy, labour and when they have to wake up every 2-4 hours because the baby just wouldn't go back to sleep.
Nope. Not convinced just yet.
Actually, we do have a solution to children. We'll adopt. There are plenty of children without a caring family out there - the world's population is already growing too fast for this planet so it doesn't need one more baby from us - we'll take in one of the already borns so not only are we not adding to the population crisis, we'll be helping a child out.
Good idea?
I think so. For me anyway.
Thought I'd just have a shameless moment - Flight Centre Ltd's Sydney Travel Expo is on this weekend at the Convention Centre in Darling Harbour. If you are around, drop by to say hi I'll be sitting at the Eastwood desk. (Even better if you are there to book something, give me a hand with my final months at the company  )
Anyways, whether you go through a travel agent or go through online channels, you'll notice that early bird deals are starting to appear in every form of advertisements.
Are these good deals? Most people would ask, is this the cheapest time to purchase travel for 2010?
Well, traditionally, we would all say yes. Generally airlines would advertise early bird deals as the cheapest tickets you'll ever find for the upcoming year, if you know your plans exactly and that you won't change your mind, coz none of these early bird airfares are refundable, and changing dates can sometimes cost more than the original fare.
However, since last year's financial storm and when the Australian dollar dropped by 40% overnight, it is no longer the story.
For example, early bird deals for 2009 in November 2008 saw airfares to Europe drop to around $2000 return. At the time, when an average fare to Europe would cost at least $2400 that was a great price.
Come July and all the way through to December, suddenly the airline industry was hitting rock bottom, there were no bums on seats and a lot of the smaller airlines begin to fold - they had to take drastic actions and cut their airfares to as low as $1200 return to Europe and even more ridiculous - $899 return to LA from Sydney including taxes.
Up to today we are still seeing airfares at this rate and unfortunately people are starting to get used to this generally unfamiliar prices. $1700 is now too expensive.
The point is, those people who purchased early bird airfares in 2008 for 2009, were paying at least $200 more than what it is today. Making it not worth the while for them to book so much in advance.
But you know what? We don't know what is going to happen tomorrow, just like I wouldn't have known, before I bought the $290 boots at Myers the other day that the same pair of boots would go on sale at 50% off the next day. It's really all luck.
The only advise is - if you think it's worth it, then go ahead. Even travel agents have no idea what the airfare would be like in 3 months time and airlines are certainly not going to disclose that information. Same thing in the Myer situation. Once you've got it, be happy. At least you know you are definitely going. One good thing about early bird is that you have first grab at the available seats. Even if a deal comes later in the year it is not guaranteed that there will be seats for the dates you want to travel, especially if it's going to be peak season.
Rather than airfares though, perhaps look into early bird deals with touring companies. Land components don't change prices that drastically as air components do, and generally land companies offer a deal that include airfare in the cost and can work out significantly cheaper if you were going to go on that tour/cruise anyway.
Happy travels
There is a saying. Once you've cruised, you'll cruise again.
It certainly is addictive, apparently. Not that I know, I've never cruised. Many people like me who has not cruised (we are talking about real cruising, not the ferry cross town) would say that cruising is not their thing, that they "simply cannot imagine being stuck on a ship for more than a day
[ Click here to read more ]
Although the news have been saying that the job market really isn't going too great at the moment, there really has been a lot more vacancies on the online search engins than say... 3 months ago.
My own job search in now in full swing, as I have made the final decision to end my travel agent career as soon as possible. In the past hour I have applied for 5 jobs that were posted only today, so the prospect is looking good
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Sorry Jason. I can't help it I had to share this place with everyone.
This little restaurant is about 1.5 hours drive south of Sydney in the town of Berrima - The Zen Oasis vegetarian restaurant - hidden away in a small block of land with its beautifully manicured gardens and pond and beautifully cooked vegetarian buffet
[ Click here to read more ]
Thought I'd share this little gem in the Southern Highlands of NSW.
Berrima, just a bit further south from Mittagong of the Southern Highlands, is a cute little historic town. One main road, 400 people. Plenty to enjoy
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After checking every day for the rates to come out next year, I've finally booked the wedding.
No more fear of "What if that day is not available and we've already sent the invitations
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Last weekend we decided to visit our old temporary home at Coffs Harbour and stayed at the popular Breakfree Aanuka Beach Resort at Diggers Beach.
It is one of the most popular resorts clients ask about when visiting the Coffs Coast, and a great favourite for families. However our visit was unfortunately disappointing
[ Click here to read more ]
September 25th 2009 10:52
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Comment by AmyHuang
on Mel Gibson is Back in Edge of Darkness
Project Job Search
Travel Debate
Travel String
Love Adventures
I guess I am just not really into these crime, cop, murder sort of films