Adrian Phelan

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Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker

Posted on October 31, 2025 by Adrian Phelan

Adrian Phelan

Post 5

Five will make you get down now

I’ve reached post 5 and I need to be careful not to become a caricature of myself. I’ve rounded off each of the first four with thanks, but having reached this mini-milestone I wanted to bring that to the top. I really am grateful that you’ve stopped by. If I could ask one more thing, it would be if you could tell a few people about the blog and share the link so they might read it. If you do that, I promise not to go ahead with the miniature printed version I was going to bring out as a stocking-filler for Christmas.

What have you come as?

Happy Halloween. It’s great that it’s on a Friday this year, with no work the next day. Oh yes, work; I did some of that this week. First time I’ve dipped my toe into something non-comms related for over 20 years and what an experience. It’s also the first time I’ve been in the office five days in the one week since before the pandemic. I’ve had to resurrect shirts I haven’t worn since I was in my early forties; and I only have white trainer socks. I’ve looked like I’ve been dressing up for Halloween all week. I need to go shopping at the weekend. Everyone in the team is lovely though, especially the colleague who is training us (a reminder it’s a customer services role) and I am very grateful for the opportunity. Ultimately, I’m glad to do something where I’m helping people while I’m searching for the next career move. On that, one thing I’ve totally forgotten to do in the blog is share my LinkedIn profile so here it is.

Boss

My film recommendation this week comes with a nice side story. I went to see ‘Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere’ and on the way out I met a lady who was a big fan of The Boss and by accident had attended the London premiere of the film, sitting just rows from the man himself and the other stars of the movie. Her daughter had bought the tickets for the screening not knowing it would also be the premiere, so what a result. She was still beaming and showed me a few pictures. She didn’t quite catch the movie in the detail she wanted to which is why she had come again. For those who are fans, she thought it was great. I thought it was worth 3.5 stars out of 5. However, I’m now on my second warning from Cineworld for talking to strangers so I’ll have to keep myself to myself for a while. I don’t want to be barred before I’ve seen the second half of Wicked.

Two casts in a pod

I know I don’t look old enough, but I moved to the UK 30 years ago last month. Someone I met on the very first day (at university Halls) was good friend Martyn Housley-Smith. Martyn is a talented and entrepreneurial teaching professional and has his own podcast which explores issues and topics surrounding education and learning. In the latest episode he chats to Consultant Clinical Psychologist Dr Lucy Shoolbred who among her many roles was a consultant on the Netflix series Adolescence. Such is the growing reputation of the podcast that Martyn has been able to secure guests of Lucy’s calibre. I’m chuffed for Martyn and what he has achieved and so not to scupper his efforts I’ve agreed not to discuss our nights down at the students’ union.

A second podcast recommendation is this week’s episode of A question of Science hosted by Professor Brian Cox who along with a panel of experts asks the question ‘Who owns space?’ I was actually in the audience for this one and if you listen carefully you can hear my distinctive clap. This is one of several episodes, all of which are worth a listen.

Do Good Well

I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Prunella Scales this week. I’m a huge Fawlty Towers fan and although she was elderly, I think it’s still always poignant to find out when such iconic figures leave us. In her honour I’m sharing links to Dementia UK and Dementia Ireland. Do check them out and support if you can.

Bye until November

I can’t believe it’s November tomorrow. It comes as a surprise every year. And once Halloween is out of the way there’ll be no avoiding the ‘C’ word so brace yourselves.

Have a great week and stay safe on bonfire night.

Adrian

07974669338

adrianphelan@hotmail.co.uk

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker

Posted on October 24, 2025 by Adrian Phelan

Adrian Phelan

Post 4

You can always go, Downton

I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m proper posh. I’ve never watched Downton Abbey, but I went to see the film the other night, and I came out thinking, ‘Where have you been all my life?’ I would totally fit in there; my major stress being managing luxury. And I’d look great in the clobber. I think I heard an Irish accent among the cast. It should have been me. I’m going to talk a bit more like Pierce Brosnan for a while as part of the job seeking strategy so bear with me if I bump into you in Waitrose.

How can I help?

Some news on the job front. It looks like I’ve landed a customer services role at a council for the next three months (ink not quite dry). I’m not sure what the sensitivities are so I won’t expand on it for now. However, for those looking, I went to a job fair on Wednesday at a Job Centre Plus and had a good chat with the Royal Mail rep. It looks like there’s quite a bit of work going for delivery drivers including a bit of postie work so if you’re looking, consider it.

What a few months it’s been – the serious bit

Now that I’ll be starting work again, I’ve been reflecting on my emotional journey since I found out I was leaving my last job and here are my thoughts. I had five weeks’ notice to the end of my contract. That was five weeks where I had to deliver in the current role alongside pondering/worrying what will happen when I finish. However, when I finished, all the pressure of delivering in the role was lifted and I just had the one focus, finding a new job. I was walking around with half the weight on my shoulders gone. From that point I also had autonomy over my days, and although I had a job to do to find that next opportunity, I was my own boss. It remained vital to performance manage myself, but sod it, if it was 2.30 in the afternoon and 25 degrees outside, I also owed it to myself to go down to the local lido and make the most of it. I could then work that little bit later into the evening. I need to be employed and I know that, but I will leave this phase grateful for the chance to be ‘me’ a bit more. ‘However, as Dolly Parton sang, ‘Working 9 to 5, what a way to make a living’. So onwards and upwards. (I know it’s been a hundred years since someone said that).

Setting a president

I didn’t want it to be overly obvious that I am Irish, but I think it was given away with the whole filim thing. Anyway, Ireland chooses a new president this week. The voter turnout will be interesting (In fact everything about proceedings will be interesting) and I am curious as to who wins. With two female candidates the forerunners, the likelihood is that the winner will be female. Our current President, Michael D Higgins (Google him now) will be a hard act to follow for a number of reasons, but whoever wins I wish them well.

Do Good Well

I had a tremendous response to the Big Issue picture I posted, so carrying on that vibe. The vendor I bought from didn’t want to be photographed which is fine but perhaps I should have asked before I suggested we did a video of the two of us singing ‘I’ve Got You Babe’. That would have been classic.

It’s Black History Month and if I was still working part of my day would have been promoting this so as we’re approaching the last week of the month I want to give it a quick plug.

Feedback and thanks

Next week’s post is likely to focus on the fact that the clocks have gone back an hour. Even though I know it’s coming, I won’t be able to believe it’s happening. However, if among the confusion you get a minute, do let me know your thoughts on the blog. You can contact me about this or anything at adrianphelan@hotmail.co.uk

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker

Posted on October 17, 2025 by Adrian Phelan

Adrian Phelan

Post 3

Having the time of your life

Sorry I’m a bit late with this week’s blog. I had family (brother, sister and brother’s girlfriend) staying which took away some computer time; but I’m back online now reflecting on a great couple of days hanging out with them locally and in London. We went to see ABBA Voyage, and I don’t want to give too much away about the show, but our collective scores out of ten totalled 42 out of 50. We congratulated ourselves on the maths with that one. We made a day of it and took in the cable car over the Thames, walked around Canary Wharf and had lunch at The O2 Arena. It was quality time and helped me to further heal from them hogging the remote control when we were 12.

Sign on you crazy diamond

I had a call with my JSA (Job Seekers’ Allowance) buddy this week and it was ok but we’ve established that there’s little point in taking a couple of days work here and there because it throws everything out of sync, doesn’t really bring any extra cash to support me and the family and takes me away from finding that substantive role. I have a real desire to show willing though so it’s a bit frustrating. I’ll put last week’s two days in Watford down to experience and look with optimism around the corner. A good colleague was in touch and said, ‘”You just have to keep going,” and I will.

Ultra no more – release the date

Please note that I will now not be taking part in the Ultra Comedy event on 30 November. It sold out before I sold my quota of tickets and they have firm rules on that. I am disappointed but I’m planning to find an open mic slot elsewhere, so I’ll let you know the details when I have them. If it’s anything like last time I’ll be on at drinking up time when they’re trying to get everyone out, so don’t come early.

I know your name, but your face escapes me

I’m very good at remembering faces but don’t have a very memorable face myself so I often strike panic into people who haven’t seen me for a while when I come up and say hello. On my way back from Ultra Comedy training last week, I bumped into Kieron and Sue Concannon, parents of Luke who is the singer with folk/hip-hop/alternative duo Nizlopi. I’ve met Kieron several times at various gigs, but it’s been a while. After a few bars of me rattling through our lives together, it finally clicked and we had a good catch-up about how Luke and Nizlopi are doing. I’ve included some links above I hope you’ll check out their websites, their music and perhaps consider buying Nizolpi’s first album which has just been released on vinyl. Both Luke as a solo artiste and Nizlopi as a group have an amazing catalogue so do check them out. They did two triumphant gigs at The Water Rats last Sunday but alas, I couldn’t make them. However they are returning to London to play The Moth Club on 30 November.

I’ll go 50/50

I went to the first of what will be a couple of years of 50ths for me and all our school/university friends. It was a top night/occasion in a club in Brixton, and we met many people we hadn’t seen for ages. Some had read last week’s blog so there was a general disappointment that we are now all too old to donate poo for medical purposes. We’re all now seeking alternative side hustles. If being there taught me anything it was that I wasted an opportunity to get people together by not having a 40^th. I will remedy that next year when I turn 50 myself. It is very surreal to type that.

Do Good Well

I’ve not done anything for a good cause this week and to atone for walking past several Big Issue sellers without buying a copy, that’s my plea for this section. I shall buy the next one I come across. If you send me a picture of you and your big issue I’ll include it in next week’s post.

Three is a magic number

I’ve got to three blogs now. Whether I have 3 or 300 views I’ll carry on regardless. And this is a safe space. I’d love to hear your thoughts on anything be it about the blog or otherwise. It will all be taken in good spirits. Until next Friday, have a good week.

Adrian

adrianphelan@hotmail.co.uk

07974669338

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker

Posted on October 3, 2025 by Adrian Phelan

Adrian Phelan

Giving blood | Working at The Card Factory | Banter with Ryan Tubridy | Banned from WhatsApp

Welcome to my first post.

I’m conscious if you’re reading this you could be my future boss or my parents so the content is drafted accordingly. The editor’s cut will be available privately one month after the successful completion of the probationary period of my next job.

I’m Adrian, 49 living in North Hertfordshire and currently job seeking. This weekly blog will simply hold a mirror up to how my last seven days have been. So if it’s not for you, scroll on, but hopefully something will resonate and you’ll stick around. Part of it will be about the highs and lows of job applications but it will be more general than that, so I hope you enjoy it.

Gizza job

The job hunt is going well, but the job kills not so much. I had a first interview for a comms role at a high profile organisation last Friday but didn’t advance beyond that stage. I also didn’t progress beyond application for two other roles I thought I was a strong match for so hearing those outcomes brought low points. But you lose a match on a Wednesday, there’s another one on Saturday to be ready for so you can’t afford to dwell too much. And indeed, this blog is being written between applications.

I’m at a stage financially where I need to keep an open mind. Substantially I’m a senior communications and engagement manager mainly within the NHS but my last application was for seasonal work at The Card Factory. And since I hit ‘submit’ all I can think about is how excited I am by the prospect of inflating helium balloons. I’ve also applied for driving jobs, which should go fine as long as I never need to parallel park or reverse into any kind of space.

Happy Birthday to me

But despite the knock backs, it’s been a good week. I had my 49^th birthday on Monday and treated myself to a trip to the cinema to see One Battle After Another starring Leonardo di Caprio, which was very good. This completed a trio of good movies for me following Stephen King’s The Long Walk and I Swear, about Tourette’s sufferer and campaigner John Davidson. The high of the week came when my review of I Swear featured in The Irish Post. It’s about 20 years since my last film review so it’s great to be a published writer again, especially in a national newspaper.

Welcome to The Ryan Tubridy Show

My love of film led me to an unusual place on Tuesday when I found myself disagreeing with Ryan Tubridy’s appraisal of The Long Walk. He didn’t like it and I did, so I contacted his Virgin Radio show. In fairness to him, he read out my message, took my view seriously and was glad listeners could hear both sides before making a decision about seeing it. However, at the time of writing it’s Friday afternoon and he’s just doubled down on his disdain for the film, so without a voice, he wins those airwaves. I say go and see it.

Why oh Why WhatsApp?

I’m very risk averse when it comes to posting on apps which is why I sit here completely baffled that I have been banned from WhatsApp for not following their terms of service. I have no idea what it relates to as they don’t tell you. The only thing I can think of is that there is a rule about being too boring. I’ll update next week how I get on with that.

I’m a stand-up guy

I’m taking the opportunity during this transition period (while I’m on the scratcher) to revisit things that used to motivate me, and I’ve put my name down for a charity stand-up comedy gig called Ultra-Comedy (you know the boxing equivalent) which will take place in November. I’ve no idea at this stage how it will go but there is training leading up to it. I have an obligation to sell tickets so as the weeks go on with this, perhaps you might come and see me and support a worthy cause.

Do good well

‘Things for good causes’ time and I gave blood on Tuesday. I was such a wuss, moaning internally about how discomforting it was. I felt the needle a bit more this time, but it wasn’t exactly childbirth. If you can donate, do, and talking about things needle-related if you are eligible for the flu, COVID-19 or any other vaccines this winter do go and have them. I will tirelessly campaign for that. Last for the do-gooder paragraph is a plug for Best Before cafes. Please raise awareness of these if you have one near you. They offer full bags of food for just £3, reducing so much wastage. It really is a good thing.

So that’s me off the mark. Blog 1 done. Look out for the next Adrian’s All next Friday, 10 October.

Back to the job hunt!