So, I've not been around much over the past few months. I've left the odd, occasional tweet. I've posted a few images on Instagram, but I've not blogged or shared too much.
That's mostly down to it being a few busy months.
Now, I could say that I have actually had a little more time where I have not been in the office too much - but the truth is; in those times I have been super busy doing something else.
But let me elaborate a little more. Around 2.5 months ago now (I believe it was April) I got told that I was being made redundant from my previous company.
Well, the first stage is that I was told I was at risk of being made redundant. I think that, in most cases, if you are told this you can almost be sure that you will be.
So, after being told I was at risk I started searching for a new role - but also taking the time to see if there was anything I could do self-employed.
I would love to say that I decided to go and blog full time - but the truth is that this (and other sites I have) do not, at this time, pull in anywhere near enough people to consider that. I would be nice though...
So, I started my job search. The 30 days at risk period finished and I was told that I would be made redundant after 5 weeks.
Let's just say that those 2 monks (the 30 days + 5 weeks) were very busy. I was sending out job applications daily and had either phone interviews or face to face meetings 3-4 days of the week.
I saw many companies. However, where I live the skill set being looked for slightly differed to mine.
I started my career back in 1997 as a software developer. I spent about 15 years doing that until I became a SCRUM Master, followed by what I did in my previous role which was also hands off.
I wanted to get back into software development but have had 8 years in hands
To give you an idea, since I last had a role in C++ development, C++11, 14 and 17 had been released. (11, 14 and 17 are standards - so changes to the language).
So, on top of my search, I was also trying to get my skillset back up to current standards. When I was not talking to companies, I was updating my skill set.
On top of that... I had mostly done C++ development - but where I live, most of the roles where C# or Java. Both of these languages I had used - but not in the sense of years of use, more for particular projects.
So, when they said 2/4/6 years experience I said I don't have that - but I can code in them...
So, I could go on and on about all the companies. I could talk about how I had started to look further away and even contemplating relocation back to Berkshire...
However, I did manage to secure a new role local to me. This is a role developing in the looked for C# - so will give me that validation of years and not just a project... It is also VERY interesting work.
So, I am very excited to get going. I don't start there till 1st August, so have a month and a week off (though already 2-3 weeks through that) - just eager to start.
That's not the only thing that has kept us busy. On top of searching, learning skills and so on. Our daughter is now coming to the end of year 5 in school.
What this means is, we've now been searching and looking at secondary school (senior or high schools for those that call them that).
It's amazing how much time and effort it can take to do this... Firstly, you have to find out what schools there are. You need to check out things such as reviews and OFSTED. You need to figure out where you are in regards to the catchment area.
Then comes the open days where you spend 2 hours trying to rush a
Like many places, companies, schools, etc., you get shown what they want you to see on their open days - but you always need to dig deeper.
To be honest, I'm happy that a lot of this I can do while I am not working and after I have accepted a new role. It gives me time to focus on what needs to be done.
As well as this, little Mr is moving classes for his new year too. There is a whole bunch of things that have been going on there - though I won't detail any.
He is progressing well though. They are still working with him in regards to PECS. He's still finding he voice - even if it is still a non-verbal one.
So, my
That said, having this time off has shown me what I could be achieving if I did work from home - so that notion is never going to be far away. A goal that I work towards maybe. All I need is a few hundred thousand visits a month here 🙂
Hopefully, I will be able to start talking more again about the
I will always be trying to share regardless - so keep watching out. You may also find my twitter and I