Articles From the Team

Starting work

No matter how old you are, or who you are, it always feels like the first day in your new job is like the first day at a new school. The sense of elation is followed by a moment of terror about your capability to start again - I got this snipet of wisdom from friends, family….and general people I asked in the street.

After the ecstatic and utter elation to find a job that you really, really wanted is yours, actually YOURS there is the mild panic…. How will I get there? Will I enjoy it? What if I don’t like it? And of course, WHAT WILL I WEAR??

So I spent the first hour after my accepting my new job wondering how I was going to get to the office from my house - I hate being late and so felt that everything had to go with military precision. This turned into several scenarios;

A. I could drive?

Yes, I could but this might make me late and although I see myself as a responsible driver, I could not guarantee others behaviours, or the traffic. Parking was also an issue and having very strong and disturbing memories of having my beautiful car being towed because of a reluctance in being able to understand all forms parking restrictions (hence being towed). I couldn’t be sure that I wouldn’t have to try and negotiate with a traffic warden at some point. I couldn’t also be sure that after a long day at the office or having a call run over that I wouldn’t be late and so have some sort of fine. The answer came back as a huge NO! As I said I am a responsible driver… I am also not stupid.

B. Public transport?

As I relocated from London and spent my majority of my time on the tube going to and from work I was relishing the idea of trying the pleasures of Birmingham’s public transport system. I don’t live by a train station so my only option was a bus.

Having done my ‘investigation’ I found that there was a bus stop at the end of my road which would take me 3.4 mins walk to my own front door – This seemed ideal but I did have slight trepidations as I hadn’t actually been on a Birmingham bus for over 15 years (or until I actually learned to drive). However, I could not argue with the price or the journey time so thought that this was probably be the best course of action.

C. Walking?

It is 4 miles and would take 1 hour and 31 mins if I power walked.

I would get the bus.

D. Will I like it?

I didn’t have to think about this much, I really enjoy recruitment and I am good at it. I have done it in different guises and through different markets – I stayed through the prosperous times and the lean, but I have to confess I have enjoyed it most when I had loads of lovely jobs and loads of lovely candidates.

I then remembered my ‘soon to be’ Manager and how I liked her. I remembered when I was invited into the office on my 3rd interview and how welcome I felt, and how I thought that this is really ‘me’. How when I was showed the designated desk, I imagined myself there and how happy I could be there. How the people seemed like my people and how I was imprinted with BCL Legal through me like a stick of rock. All fears seem to fade away…..I was going to love this!

Now what do I wear?

For more information please contact Kallan Nee or visit our website BCL Legal.