Sunday, January 31, 2010

Life in The Office

Ricky Gervais as David Brent - The Office (UK)

I have been so busy and this is a trend that is likely to continue for the next 3-4 weeks. Oh, work has been busy and the chores at home never seem to end but that is not it. I recently passed the first stage of a lengthy and competitive promotion process. Stage one down, two more to go! The next stage is in 3-4 weeks or so (depending on the slot I am given) and takes the form of two written exercises based on work type scenarios. The final stage is in September and is an assessment centre with written exercises and role play situations.

The whole process is very competitive with around 800 candidates all after around 170 promotion 'tickets'. These are a bit like Willy Wonka's golden tickets as they permit those that have them to apply for posts at the next level. So I suppose there is a further stage after the whole assessment process as you have to apply for posts and pass interview to get a post!

I am being very realistic about the whole thing. Very few people pass first time but on the whole I feel I am in a win-win situation. If I an unsuccessful at either of the next two stages then I am given feedback to help me address areas I am less strong in and I can always try again next time round. There are very few opportunities for such detailed feedback so I feel I even win if I lose in a way. It's not often that happens!

Anyway, for now I am chuffed that I passed the first stage as quite a few people didn't. I had a small celebration at home with a bottle of Champagne (it is so important to celebrate the successes along the way). Wish me luck for stage two and please understand if my blogging is erratic. It's all a bit like preparing for exams!

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I shall make you the same offer I've made to the Official Offspring, when I've been informed that there is someone ranked higher in their class, thereby preventing them from receiving their rightful accolades:

"Whom do I need to eliminate? I keep a Ninja on retainer for just such occasions."

Good luck, dear and

Cheers.

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

I'm pleased to hear you're doing so well, my friend! Keep it up!

Bobkat said...

Alas Randall, I fear that a single ninja may have their work cut out for them as there are still a few hundred to eliminate. They don't happen to ahve ninja friends do they?

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

That seems an odd way to go about promotions, or maybe it's those of us on this side of the pond who do it weird.

At any rate, good luck to you. The important thing is to do your very best and learn along the way. Onward and upward!

Bobkat said...

Susan - thanks! : )

Bunnygirl - I work for a very large organisation and the change from the level I am at now to the next one is quite a big step change and so they run the assessment process. It gets more protracted each year as they refine it to weed out those who shouldn't go to the final stage as it's very expensive to run. If you ask me, it's getting a bit epic now though. I feel like a performing animal jumping through hoops.

Anonymous said...

Well, I only hire the best Ninjas, dear.

rashbre said...

Congratulations on getting to the current stage and best wishes for the next level.

bodaat said...

wow, that is quite a process! i love how you're viewing this opportunity and it's good that you can rely on feedback coming to you. :)

Dianne said...

congrats on passing the first stage!
cheers!!

Do you get to hang with Ricky at any point? I adore him ;)

Shruti said...

congratlations for that! and wish u good luck for the 2nd stage! :)

OldLady Of The Hills said...

WOW! That sounds very exiting, but very stressful, too....! I wish you much much luck, my dear...and as we say in The Theatre..(You know---I know...lol)
BREAK A LEG....!

pink dogwood said...

Congratulations!!! I haven't been around much lately either.

I love the idea of celebrations along the way :)

OldLady Of The Hills said...

So happy you came by, my dear...A Vidit from you always makes me Happy!

I hope all is going well with you on all fronts. And give those two kittoes a BIG hug and a purr from me and Sweetie!

Anonymous said...

Good for you my friend! I've been "semi-aware" of this through your FB entries. Hope you're having a fantastic weekend.