Interview Eve.
No, not some lass by the name of Eve - I mean it's the day before an interview. I'm not going about any particular role - more to have a look round and see if there's anything for me.

So I've not been able to do any specific research of the company. Sure, I've read about what they do and I know how big they are and I know what sort of role I'd like at the company.

Other than that, I've not done anywhere near as much as I should have. I've got what I want to say sorted in my head, but I haven't rehearsed much. I'll only change what I'm saying to fit the situation anyway.

I went for a reccy today. Went up to where the interview will be held and also drove around their other sites too. So I have a plan for tomorrow morning - I'll need to get up before 08:00 which shouldn't be a problem as I've been waking up at 08:22 each morning anyway.

I'm not that nervous - a few butterflies but all I have to remember is how well my last interview went. The only thing bugging me is that it's not a job I could walk straight into - I would need a short perios to get up to speed. However - isn't that the same with all first jobs? I come pre-programmed with an overview of my field and it is industry where I will specialise and look at a specific subject in detail?

I've not sent out any more CV's and I've not been out cycling. Weather is nasty out , so there's my excuse. I have now had 10 replies; 3 of which were hopeful. Talking of those three, I have no new news regarding the informal interviews I've been invited to. One company is acting quite odd in my opinion. The other hasn't called me yet so I will call them on Monday. I have one application going through an agency which I should hear back about next week.

You know, I never envisaged that after leaving Uni I would have to apply to so many companies. I have days when I wonder why I am bothering. But I always pull myself up and keep trying. It is common sense that if I keep going to interviews and dealing with companies then I will gain experience in selling myself. So over time I will improve to the point where I eventually find a company willing to take me on.

It's coming up to a year since I last did anything electronics related. My knowledge is getting rusty and my cognitive competence has been steadily decreasing despite my best efforts to keep my brain ticking over.

Some members of my family ask why I haven't got a part time job yet. My answer is simple; if I get a part time job I wil still be in the same position I am in now. The only difference will be that I have extra commitments. I couldn't earn enough on a part time basis to support myself and so to my mind a part time job is pointless. If I were to get any old job I would want to do it full time, support myself and make a career for myself in that job.

The obvious answer to this is that earning some money is better than earning no money. But I do believe that my being immediately available is a strong selling point that gives me an edge over other applicants. I don't see how working part time for Sainsburys is going to add to my appeal.

So the search goes on, I still play Sudoku and chess to keep my brain warm and I just scrounge off my parents. What a life.