At 1am in the morning I got an (obviously automated) Email confirming what I already knew. I applied for a position of call centre operative at a local call centre and was required to complete an assessment. I knew that I had failed the assessment because it wasn’t a fair assessment, I passed the initial part of the assessment, listening to pre-recorded telephone orders and inputting the relevant data. But this part of the test was flawed as I had to confirm the details yet because it was pre-recorded I had no option to confirm the details but had to check the confirmed box to proceed. Then came the typing test, I have never been that great at copy typing so this was always going to be hard. But I was not allowed to correct errors that I had made. My automatic reaction is to correct the error immediately if I realise I have made an error. Basically I was penalised because I corrected my typing errors, I knew that I wasn’t supposed to backspace but it’s hard to fight instinct. The conclusion is that I shouldn’t bother with call centre work as they all have this completely non-relevant assessment. I fail to see how they can find appropriate candidates when the assessment doesn’t relate to the job at hand or the real world environment.
At the Belgian Grand Prix, Kimi Raikkonen became the sixth race winner of the 2009 F1 season. But not without controversy, The Finn went wide onto the run off area at La Source so didn’t need to slow down as much as would have if he had remained within the confines of the track. Before going wide he was in fifth place but returned to the track in third, gaining two places maximising the run off area. Then passed BMW’s Robert Kubica using his KERS system through Eau Rouge into Les Combes. Raikkonen then used his KERS to good effect on the restart after the ensuing safety car period to blast past Giancarlo Fisichella. The Italian driving a Force India that had previously not scored any points in their two year history scored big with Fisichella keeping Raikkonen honest all race long and could have even won the race if it wasn’t for Raikkonen’s KERS enabled Ferrari. Briton’s Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton were taken out by the two rookies in the field during the opening corners. Button was taken out by Renault rookie, Romain Grosjean and Hamiton was taken out by Toro Rosso’s Jaime Alguersuari. Despite not scoring any points Jenson’s world championship lead was only cut by two points to 16 as his rivals Sebastian Vettel only managed third place and team mate Rubens Barrichello brought his heavily smoking car home in eighth (and later caught fire in the pitlane). The season is certainly hotting up, I can’t remember a year where we saw six separate winners and what is more amazing is it features four constructors. Rumours have been flying this weekend that second place man Fisichella will be driving for Ferrari for the remainder of the season as Felipe Massa replacement Luca Badoer has been piss poor; qualifying last in both races he has competed in.
Plymouth Argyle slumped to their second 1- 3 home defeat this season. Sheffield Wednesday came away with a comfortable victory at Home Park and Sturrock came out with his usual excuse of missed chances. A miss is a miss, we need players that can put the ball between the sticks instead of either side of them. Wednesday took their chances, Argyle did not so the better team won simple as that. I am now swaying towards STURROCK OUT! he doesn’t have what it takes to make it at Championship level and his Parkinsons isn’t helping matters. A few years ago he might have been able to make it at this level but now I feel that he is lacking. We’re five games into the season and we are just one point off the bottom of the table in 21st where we ended our season last year. Two draws and three consecutive losses, two at home simply isn’t good enough. I can’t see the board leaving it later than October to replace Sturrock. Paul Sturrock’s remit for this season is to keep the Pilgrims in the Championship, it’s not looking good thusfar is it Mr. Sturrock? I appreciate what he has done for the club in the past but I believe it’s time for the Argyle manager to part ways with Plymouth, you’ve taken us as far as you can!
Liverpool got back to winning ways at the Reebok Stadium but were hardly convincing having to come back from behind twice before Steven Gerrard hit the winner with eight minutes remaining on the clock. Apparently from what I have been reading, Liverpool’s defensive play was poor allowing Bolton to twice take the lead. Liverpool are decidedly dodgy at the back right now which doesn’t bode well for their title aspirations. Glen Johnson seems to have been a good signing for the Reds upfront partnering Fernando Torres. Now Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez needs to tighten up his midfield to fill the gap left by Xabi Alonso. This weekends win over Bolton moves Liverpool back upto seventh, six points off league leaders Chelsea. Liverpool need more consistency if they are to have any hope of claiming their first ever Premiership title this season!
