I applied for two jobs recently. I got two interviews. I was offered both jobs. I know, saying that seems a tad boastful.

I like interviews. I see them as a bit of a blind date, though that view is perhaps coloured by the fact I’ve never been on a blind date. It’s not all about interviewers grilling me, though of course they must. I want to know why I’d be a good fit for the interviewing company and why I should join them too.

One of the best trainees I ever took on asked as many questions as I did. He even put me on the back foot slightly when I feigned an interest in football which, in practice, died around 1996. To be fair, that Gazza goal against Scotland, especially for a Geordie fan, was always going to be hard to top.

And when I’m in the other chair? It’s not that I don’t want to impress. But when it comes to being a journalist, and encouraging others to excel, I know I’m pretty good at it. And I really enjoy it. As Confucius apparently never said, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

I can’t go that far. I’ve certainly been working, but it’s far easier to do well at something you love. It makes you good at it and that gives you a sense of pride. Working anything up to a 60-hour week with little or no recognition or thanks, dwindling staff, and few prospects under my present employer has shattered the lenses in my rose-tinted spectacles.

I chanced my arm and spoke to the boss of my boss’ boss and despite the fact that I had a couple of jobs lined up, I was offered a generous redundancy package.

And now I’ve taken a gamble. A bigger gamble than I expected to take given that I had a safe option already lined up. I last took a gamble this big in the late 1990s when I thought setting up my own business was a spiffing idea. That cost me £10,000. And my first marriage, at least in part.

I could be looking forward to editing a privately-funded independent local paper in an affluent town. That would be the easy option and require zero prep.

Instead I’m reading a weighty tome entitled “Show me the money” and trying to learn what EBITDAs and price-earnings ratios are, as I’m set to edit a healthcare publication specialising in the buying and selling of businesses, CEO interviews and the like.

There’s some smart business graduates at this place. I’m going to teach them how to be journalists. They’re going to help me become financially savvy. I’ve been frank about my strengths and my current shortcomings for this post. But the business model is impressive (I’ve seen, and re-written the business plan. I wasn’t asked to I just thought I’d offer my thoughts!) and this is clearly a company going places.

Wish me luck. Hopefully hard work will be enough. For the chance to better secure my family’s financial future, I’m going to give this my best shot.