I have to keep telling myself to stay optimistic.
I had my first job intereview today. Ridiculously enough, at the age of 37 this is probably the most formal job interview I have ever had. Sounds silly huh. Well, all my other jobs that I have taken on here and there have been pretty laid back and were done because I knew the people. And well, they were desparate and they were just odd jobs. Nothing professional or anything, just something to do to get out of the house really.
So, I prepared for this interview, chest getting tighter and tighter with each minute closer it got, rehearsed things I would say, then tell myself not to overthink things and just relax. And my mood today is just all around giddy and goofy, which I chalk up to nervousness.
The position is for an Administrative Assistant, a job in which I really, really, really want. It's only part time for now and would work out excellent with the community guide project I'm doing as well as getting my son to school in the mornings. I couldn't ask for a better windfall if in fact I should get this job.
Anyway, I get there and the two women at the reception desk greeted me, introduced themselves and the three of us chatted like old chums. Joked around. This went on for about 20 minutes as I was really early of course...nerves. I was actually quite thankful for them because they eased my nerves quite a bit just by being.
So the interview, I find out, is only 15 minutes long with 2nd ones in the making. My heart dropped a little because I swore I was prepared for this thing. And I was gonna ace it!
I happened to know one of the guys in the interview room...he was the public works guy here in our town when I reported on City Council meetings. So I of course right away told him as much even before the interview started. Dummy!
Overall though, it went well. Of course when they asked that one question that I always fear people asking me...."tell us about yourself" I was at a loss. Go figure. I was a bumbling idiot not knowing what to say.
I'm hoping a key occurrence during the interview will stand out though...they asked me what I thought of the receptionists. I looked at them and said, "which one, Carol or Carrie?" they looked at me and were quite satisfied that I had remembered their names and said as much to me...that it was one of the key elements to this job remembering names of people. Wanna know what's really funny? I am TERRIBLE with names of people! How did it occur to me to look at their name plates as we conversed in the reception area and blaze those names into my head???? It was a concious act...Maybe subconciously I'm working on that aspect of me too, remembering people. Who knows but all the same, I won't soon forget those brown name plates with their names on them.
So, now I wait to see if I will in fact be called for a second interview. I really hope I am. But then I was so giddy that it might just make them say...'no way, she is just too hyper'. Oh well, lessons learned is what life is all about.
Keep your fingers crossed for me!
No comments:
Post a Comment