Of Nervous Nitwittery October 14, 2007
Posted by Jen in : Journal , trackbackUh oh. I’m a bit stressy today. Irritable and shouty. For reasons of pennilessness, I have signed on the line and agreed to temp for four weeks. Starting tomorrow. (Or today if you’re reading this tomorrow.) I’ve never been tempted to temp in my life – I always thought it would be too scary, starting new jobs and being considered a useless dimwit. For some reason however, possibly due to aforementioned pennilessness, I decided it would be fine. Oooooh ‘eck.
It’s three months since I last went to work. What if I’m out of practice? How will I react to being surgically removed from my dressing gown and slippers? What if they’re mean to me? What if they hire temps especially to be horrible to? What if they sellotape me up and stuff me in the stationery cupboard?
On a positive note, there will be people to talk to. Even better, the job is in a joint replacement/arthritis clinic so the broken, crumbly people won’t be able to escape while I’m making up for three months without talking. And the clinic is used to having temps. They’ve had lots. So, realistically, I’m not likely to be the worst one ever, am I? Second worst, perhaps.
But. I haven’t had time to get my trousers shortened. Which means that I spent most of yesterday searching for high heels that I can’t walk in but stop my trews trailing in the mud. What if I fall over and make an exhibition of myself?
I’ve no idea what I’ll even be doing when I get there. Perhaps they’ll let me do some operations once I’ve progressed from tea-making, falling over and being tied up?
I’m a bit nervous. Can you tell? At least with my high-heeled hobbling and air of nervousness, I’ll blend in well with the patients while I’m making good my escape…
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Snap, am also starting a temp role tomorrow and am feeling a bit weird about it. I realised yesterday that I haven’t worked for ten months and it’s been ages since I’ve temped. Luckily I’m going out to eat tonight and then seeing a film - just to try to get my mind off it all. Good luck tomorrow.
Hello people, I’ve done lots and lots of temping - it was about 200 years ago - and it’s always a bit nerve wracking. BUT, it’s also always okay too. It always worked out fine for me. Some jobs you like better than others, some you’re glad when the contract comes to and end, and some offer you full time jobs. (And you can answer in your head ‘I’d rather poke my eyes out with cocktail sticks, thanks’).
It really will be fine. The first bit is weird, walking in, not knowing anything or anyone, but really most people are happy to help. Ask if you don’t know!
All the very best - good luck
JJx
As a current temp, I can highly recommend it. It is very liberating knowing that if you really hate it, you can walk fairly easily, no questions asked. I am sure will do a magnificent job. Good luck, Jen!
Ahhh, temping. Wondrous in so many ways, not the least of which is the knowledge that if you loathe it, you can just feck off and find something else. As for the being-mean-to-the-temp-person, let us not speak of this.
A brilliant post it made me laugh, you should try writing as I think you could be quite good at it!!!!!!!!!!!
Good luck tomorrow and maybe you could borrow some crutches to help you walk.
Hellojed - Yikes! Good luck to you too… spending the evening out and about sounds like a good plan.
JJ - It’s reassuring that you lived to tell the tale! Gawd, I’m soooo nervous
Kate - thanks for the luck! I think half the problem is being such a perfectionist. I can’t bear people thinking I’m a spaz. You sound pretty sporky on it though…
KW - No, let’s not speak of such things. Perhaps I will pop a pointy implement in my bag just in case?
Sheepish - Ha! Writing? Er, what’s that then??? Sod the crutches, I’m gonna grab me a wheelchair with a hooter - see? You’ve inspired me
At least you can rush home to your jim jams Jen, knowing that a) your pennilessness will be eased and b) you won’t be there forever:-)
Also, it sounds like quite a nice place to temp. Got to be better than data input or stuck in a small office with one old typist in a hand knitted cardi and some pear drops (shudders at the memory)
Best of luck to you - you’ll be great xx
Ooh, Lane, pear drops and and chunky knitted cardi - that would be me!!! Crumbs, how lovely will it be to get home after a full day’s work? I haven’t worked so many hours since I’ve had kids. I’ll probably be asleep by 7 o’clock with the boys tucking me in and shaking their heads…
Ta for the luck, I’m eeking out big time now! X
I liked temping. In many ways it was similar to the work I do now in its short-termishness. I’m sure you’ll be fine, and look forward to the entertaining blog posts your temping will no doubt generate!
Good luck, Jen!
Jen You’ll get lots of material for your writing cos temps are the lowest of the low and completely non threatening so people tell you all sorts of company gossip. And as KW points out you have the joy of knowing that it’s well temporary.
Good luck. Hopefully it’ll be more interesting than a temp job I had as a student, when I spent a week taking staples out of wads of paper in preparation for shredding all the paperwork.
There were rows of us doing it, and we weren’t allowed to talk to each other, like exam conditions.
When I start my new job it will be 3 years since I had a “go out to another building” type job. Scary or what!
I hope everything went well today. The first day is always the worst but it does sound like you’re going to be working in a nice place!!
C x
I am so so so hoping that you didn’t fall over. Hugs honey x
Zinnia - hmmm… not sure about ‘entertaining’. So far I’m just shaking my head in disbelief.
Cathy - ta!
Karen - temporary. That is to be my new mantra. Aaarrhh.
Betamum - I’m dying to know what this new job of yours is once you get back to the rock. Staple-removing in silence sounds good. I think they might have that planned for me tomorrow?
Carol - You had it right with the words “the worst”. Sigh. Only four weeks more.
Caroline - I had to wibble wobble past some nursey ladies while holding a tray of salad!!!! I am likely to have nightmares about that brief turn of events. Please don’t make me go back?
so….how is it going??
Sorry I’m late to the comment box, but I hope your first day went well! Hurrah for the patients who cannot escape the built-up chatter.
it doesnt matter what any of them think of you..bcs its temporary..thats the joy..the freedom..the bliss…you could basically go in upside down everyday and still get paid…its the best kind of work..nothing to prove…totally zen.
three months since you last went to work?
wowwowow!
good luck gettin back into sync
Rebecca… utter madness. I might even blog about it in a bit…
Angie - my chatter is going unappreciated! Can you believe it?
Sis - yes, I shall go in upside down tomorrow. At least they’ll have to talk to me to see if I’m aware that I’m the wrong way round?
Jay - My sync is broken, it would seem.
Hope it went well and no doubt all the selo tape and stuff will feed your subconcious