Seeking a New Adventure

I’m not quite sure how to start this blog post or even the form it is going to take, but a few weeks ago I asked on Twitter for everyone to wish me luck and send me good vibes…and I promised to explain why when I was able.

The occasion was my first proper job interview in….well, forever! I can’t remember the last time I had a job interview. Apart from being self-employed most of my adult life, even when I have taken on contract positions with radio stations I have kind of just “fallen” into the job (usually someone would say “do you want to do X show”, I’d say yes and – bang! – deal done). So, it’s been at least 10 years since I went to a formal interview.

I Never Get Bored

Why on earth would I choose to get a “proper” job?

I need an adventure!

I’m not someone who gets bored. I can always find something to do (or enjoy doing nothing) but I crave new experiences and “adventures”. It’s been a while since I had my last adventure – even my last mini adventure. There’s a difference between being bored and getting itchy feet… and my feet are really itching!

Many of my friends crave stability and comfort, and I have no problem with that, but I get uncomfortable if things have been the same for too long. I like change (the good kind, of course).

Unfortunately, events over the past few years have meant I’ve been quite tied down to being in the one place.

So, for some time I have been looking for an adventure – a new experience – that ticks a few personal boxes:

1. Something I have never done before (although it can utilize skills I already have).
2. Something that will take me out of my comfort zone and be a challenge.
3. Will pay for itself (i.e. cover the cost of the adventure and to keep my home expenses paid while I’m away)
4. Will enable me to maintain my commitments (and even focus more) on my online business (I’ve been finding myself pulled in many directions lately and I am gradually trying to focus in on the most important stuff).

What Was the Job that Could Provide All That?

It’s a tall order to tick all those boxes but then I saw an advert for a job to go to the Falkland Islands for a year to work as a radio presenter/producer for the BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service).

It would mean living on the forces’ base (Navy, Army and RAF), on one of the most remote places you can imagine, presenting a show and putting together interviews, features and news stories aimed at the armed forces.

A Lesson in Selling Yourself

I knew that, although I could do the job, it had been a few years since I was last on-air on a commercial radio station and I have no formal journalism training – everything I’ve learned has been on the job and in a freelance capacity. And I was aware a standard CV and demo wouldn’t sell me as well as I wanted.

So, I created an “unofficial” application and pointed them to it in my cover letter.

I’m told that many people applied (which might come as a surprise but they are a good, creative company to work for, at a time when most radio stations are owned by big corporations and heavily formatted with few staff) but only 10 people were interviewed. I was one of those and it was my unofficial application that secured me the interview.

I was pretty nervous about the interview and the adrenaline was flowing fast, but I think it went well.

Are You Going to the Falkland Islands?

No. I wasn’t offered the job. I’m told the person who was chosen has been out to the Falklands before and this was something the selection panel thought was highly beneficial as they were concerned the person might not adapt well to the surroundings.

During the interview they tried their hardest to put me off the experience. They showed me the basic living conditions (the room reminded me of university halls of residence back in the early 90s), talked about how the base was often cut off even from the nearest town (30 miles away), and told me that it would be like living in a fish bowl with everyone knowing my business (sounds like Twitter!). I would be thousands of miles from my family in a place that is largely forgotten by the world but still the source of international tension (between the UK and Argentina).

That didn’t put me off, but I did leave with an uneasy feeling about it…something I just couldn’t put my finger on. Over the next few days the feeling remained although it dissipated a little. I still haven’t worked out what the issue might have been but suspect it was related to having a “proper” job and that they might not be receptive to me continuing my other online business activities. In the end I decided that if they offered it to me my gut would tell me if it was right or wrong for me.

What is My Next Big Adventure?

It wasn’t the right opportunity but I’m still glad I applied. It was exciting to consider such a big leap and to hear my friends and family’s reactions to the idea. Anything I come up with next will be much less of a shock so, if nothing else, it’s a great way to make them more receptive to my next choice (unless I decide to disappear into the jungles of Papua New Guinea for 5 years).

That means I’m still on the lookout for the next opportunity. Something that will: use my skills, but offer me a challenge; be different and preferably in a totally new location (or involve travel); enable me to maintain my online business (even be a part of my online business); pay me a decent fee (the adventure is more important than the money but I must cover a number of expenses).

It doesn’t have to involve remote islands in the Atlantic, penguins or Forces’ personnel (although those do sound appealing)! It doesn’t need to be radio – I actually said I would never work as a full-time radio presenter again but this was one of the rare occasions when I was prepared to eat my words due to the creative environment.

If you have an opportunity in mind or know someone who might, feel free to get in touch. I’m prepared to consider most things as long as it fits my (somewhat unusual) criteria.