Here We Go 'Round Again

This is something of a processing post, and it's pretty much for my own benefit, so you can ignore it if you want.

I have mentioned this mostly via threaded rants on Twitter, but I feel like I need to hash this out more fully, because it's helpful to put things into context to get them out of my brain.

Long story short: I am in the process of job-hunting again because my current job has finally sent me over the edge. This is, quite frankly, the cherry on top of the shit cake that has been 2022 so far, and I will probably have to save the rest of its many joys for the annual Year-in-Review Meme, sadly.

I realise I have not actually updated in a while, and I didn't want my first post in ages to be a work-related offload, but this is what the universe chose to throw at me so here we are. I'll put it all under a cut, because it got long - so, fair warning, it's very wordy and probably full of jargon, sorry.

( Well, that was a good run. )

I think that's everything.

As you can see, this has been brewing for some time. There were a couple of moments during the pandemic where I half-heartedly looked for other jobs, because the nature of this one is that we go through phases where Everything Is Awful and then it all quietens down for a bit. What I always forget is that when it's quiet, something even worse is probably lurking around the corner.

As for the job-hunting itself... I've managed to apply for one, so far, and nearly applied for another but the interview is while I'm away and apparently they can't be bothered to facilitate a virtual interview. The one I have applied for is a legal secretary post with a private legal firm, which is very local to me, but they don't seem to be in any rush to move things along. I was really hopeful about it because the fee earner seemed to remember my name from my Legal days, was impressed with my brief job history from our chat on the phone, and when I asked our Asst Head for a reference it turns out she knows the other firm partner... and now it's gone quiet. I rang them up a fortnight ago (for the second time) for an update, the current secretary doesn't know what's happening either, I emailed the solicitor and I've heard nothing back.

The thing is, they're a very small firm with a very busy court diary, so I get it, but it's frustrating because I'm used to applying for internal posts which have set deadlines!

I am going to put job hunting on hold now until I get back off holiday, because anything with an imminent closing date is going to have the same issue of interviews being whilst I'm away, but the situation is making me antsy. I am keeping my options open - the restructure might not be a total disaster, even though everything feels dire right now - but I really just want to get out of local government completely. I've served my time, I've given them my sanity and my physical health, and got nothing in return except stress, anxiety and (quite probably) trauma.

(I'm only half-joking about that last one...)

Anyway, yes - apologies again for the length of this and the dearth of posting of late, but maybe this serves as an explanation in its own way.

I'd like to say I'll update again before Christmas, but... yeah, that's a lie.