Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Employable vibes

I must be giving out excellent professional vibes today.

A random stranger practically leapt out at me as I was barrelling across Bourke Street Mall today and asked 'you wouldn't happen to be looking for a job, would you?'
'Um, nooo,' I replied, and he disappeared. What in the hell was that about? What kind of job does one recruit strangers for on the basis that they happen to be walking past? If I hadn't been in such a hurry to get to the bank, open an account, and dash back the way I came in time to make a lunch date, I would have gone back and asked him WHY, just out of curiosity.

I was twenty minutes late for my lunch date, as it happened. Over papaya fish curry, I was chatting about my upcoming trip and my dilemma over whether to spend extra money I've earnt from a juicy freelance job on a side-trip to New York or on rent and basic living costs when I return to no job. To which my fellow diners responded by urging me to apply for a maternity leave position, as one of them will be taking leave later this year. It's a good job. I'm well qualified for it (if I say so myself!) and I've been working with this publication as a freelancer for over three years, so I know and like the team. And I'd get to leave after a year (my average and preferred length of time at a job) with no guilt attached. I'm tempted. But I did give F a very smug talk last night (in response to a question from him) about how I left my job to spend more time with him (true). So I really should stay on track and keep my nose out of it. Though I did leave promising that I would seriously consider it ...

It's nice to be asked, anyway.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well I suppose it depends on whether you've been to New York before. Everyone should see New York at least once, if only to make sense of Woody Allen's movies. And I imagine it would be particularly interesting to someone in the wordsmith industry.

Mrs Fitz and I were last there in October 2005. We'll be back there for the last week in April (the week of Anzac Day.)

Anonymous said...

New York. Go to New York. Paying rent is something of a priority I agree, but fancy if you got to the end of your life and had to think 'I haven't seen New York' (which is what might happen to me if I don't hurry up and get there).

God, I'm jealous of you. Mexico and New York.

audrey said...

Definitely go to New York! If you've got the means to do it now you'd be silly to ignore the opportunity. DO IT! And eat a street vendor's hot dog for me...

So bummed I missed you in A-town. Definitely on for next time...

Ariel said...

I haven't been to New York! In fact, I've never been overseas at all. Shameful, I know.

And yes, I don't want to get to the end of my life having never seen New York. I've literally dreamt about it.

Hmmm ... thanks for the advice all. I'm leaning towards doing it.

And I'm bummed, too, Audrey. Will be there with bells on in April. How did the interview in Melb go?

redcap said...

You might as well go to New York. You don't know when you might pass that way again. And make up your mind about the maternity leave contract closer to the time when a decision is required. I've just taken one of those myself, but thankfully it's only for three months - it's on the Dark Side (PR).

Chai said...

Papaya fish curry? Where? Where?

Ariel said...

RC, I'm considering my own move to the Dark Side. Money. Flexibilty. A job offer with both.

Papya fish curry was at Cookie on Swanston St.

Gianna said...

'professional vibes'? are you sure you weren't being propositioned there? as in, he was looking for a job, not offering one. tee hee. i only say this because a similar thing happened once to me, but was accompanied by a big fat leer which kind of gave the game away.

Ariel said...

Gianna, I get what you're saying ... (and wondered myself) but weirdly, I don't think that was it. Not a leer in sight. I think maybe it was a hell dodgy work-from-home commission scheme or something.