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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by wishingstar on January 29, 2007, at 11:27:17
I survived!
I woke up feeling absolutely terrible this morning. A very low depression before I even got out of bed. I thought about cancelling, but didnt let myself do it. There arent enough job opportunities around here for me to screw up a major one. So I talked to myself, asked myself interview questions, the whole time I was in the shower, and then sang Disney songs in the car on the way to try to lift my spirits a bit.
The first interview was for an position doing counseling with kids and families who are in crisis and in danger of having their kids removed from the home, hospitalized, etc. It's a team of a masters level clinician and a bachelors level clinician (me) and I'd focus mostly on the child while the other clinician worked with the family. I think the interview went pretty well. I felt a little bit removed in the beginning, like I was watching from another planet, but I think the answers I gave were fairly good and they seemed pretty pleased. They gave me a tour of the building and introducted me to lots of people, including the other bachelors level person who does the same job already and several of the masters level clinicians I'd work with. I saw where my office would be. Overall I felt pretty good. He said I'll hear from him this week and I think I might get offered it.
The oddest question was when he asked me what I'd do if a client called and was suicidal - how I'd handle it, how I'd assess the situation, etc. Oh man am I familiar with that! All I had to do with bring up Ginny in my mind and picture what she says to me on a weekly basis! Hah. Of course I didnt say that.
The second interview was at a childrens psych hospital. I'd be working on the young kids ward, ages 4-10. It was very relaxed - both interviewers were in jeans and we did the interview in the childrens cafeteria while they were in class! I felt a little overdressed. They asked mostly "what would you do if..." questions and I think my answers were okay - not amazing, but not bad. But a few times she said "good answer" when I finished talking, and at the end, said I have lots of experience and that I'd be good on the unit. That sounds like a good sign I think. But then as I was leaving, she basically said "ok, bye" in a way that felt like "ok, talk to you never!" I asked when I'd hear, and she said a few weeks. It wasnt too confidence inspiring. But with all the "good answer" etc, maybe it was just her social skills? I'm not sure.
I think I'll probably get offered one or the other. I think both went pretty well. I did wear the suit, and held it together emotionally all morning. I got home about 30 min ago and am slowly falling apart again, but thats not a surprise. At least I got through the morning. I also got home to an email from Laurie (ex-therapist) saying she needs to back off because of boundary isssues, which didnt really give me any warm fuzzies, but okay. Shes probably right, not still not what I wanted to hear.
Thank you everyone for your support. I'm supposed to hear from the first position this week, and the second in a week or so.
Posted by Phillipa on January 29, 2007, at 11:34:59
In reply to Job interviews... update, posted by wishingstar on January 29, 2007, at 11:27:17
Wishingstar I knew you could do it. Sounds very positive I'm sure you'll hear back. Which one did you like the best? Or feel best suited for? Love Phillipa
Posted by caraher on January 29, 2007, at 11:40:20
In reply to Job interviews... update, posted by wishingstar on January 29, 2007, at 11:27:17
Good for you, WS!!! :) It sounds very promising. Don't try to read too much into the farewell from the second interview. The last time I looked for a job I got an offer after what I thought was a middling interview and a long series of brush-offs after what I thought was a pretty good one. It can be hard to tell unless they're so excited they all but tell you you have the job, and even then things can fall through.
Now take care of yourself... Are you on any meds right now? Anyway, I hope you use this success (getting out and interviewing, and especially doing so well, is a HUGE achievement when you're depressed!!!) as a reminder that you are worth the effort of getting well, however long and winding the road may be. (((WS)))
Posted by one woman cine on January 29, 2007, at 11:48:37
In reply to Job interviews... update, posted by wishingstar on January 29, 2007, at 11:27:17
Posted by Poet on January 29, 2007, at 11:52:47
In reply to Job interviews... update, posted by wishingstar on January 29, 2007, at 11:27:17
Hi Wishingstar,
Having gone on 100 plus interviews, I think it's a good sign when they show you where you would be working and introduce you to people you'd be working with. Then again, what do I know, 'cause I've been turned down for 100 plus jobs.
It's okay that you were dressed up, even though the interviewers were wearing jeans. To me that shows that you are professional and dressed for success. Plus if you get the job you know you can wear jeans, I love casual dress.
I've got my fingers crossed that you get the one that is right for you and you hear this week. I hate those long waits.
Poet
Posted by Gee on January 29, 2007, at 12:13:03
In reply to Job interviews... update, posted by wishingstar on January 29, 2007, at 11:27:17
Congrats on the interviews going so well! I so hope you get one of them! Let me know!
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on January 29, 2007, at 12:54:27
In reply to Re: Job interviews... update » wishingstar, posted by Gee on January 29, 2007, at 12:13:03
It sounds like it went well! I hope you get one or the other. I'm glad you wore the suit! Kind regards
Meri
Posted by wishingstar on January 29, 2007, at 15:04:08
In reply to Job interviews... update, posted by wishingstar on January 29, 2007, at 11:27:17
Thank you so much everyone.
I'm glad I wore the suit too. Even though I may have been overdressed for the second one, I was dressed appropriately for the first and as you all have said, I'd rather be overdressed than underdressed.
I think I'm hoping for the one at the childrens psych hospital right now, but I think I'd probably like either one. For one reason, I've always wanted to work in resedential care. One day I hope to work as a therapist at one.. perhaps an eating disorders center or something. And second, I think it might just be a little easier for me to handle given where I am emotionally right now. The stress wouldnt be as great and I wouldnt have any cases that were "mine" specifically. I'd also be working and interacting more closely with other staff at the hospital. I guess the in-home job feels more like a true career to me, while the hospital feels less so (they have a huge turnover rate, etc). Maybe thats really the reason.
I hope I hear soon.
Posted by Glydin on January 29, 2007, at 16:11:25
In reply to Re: Job interviews... update - to all, posted by wishingstar on January 29, 2007, at 15:04:08
Keep us updated....
Posted by Kath on January 29, 2007, at 16:49:02
In reply to Job interviews... update, posted by wishingstar on January 29, 2007, at 11:27:17
Wow - I think you did amazingly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm very impressed. Good for you.
What if you got offered them both?
If you got offered the first one, would you feel comfortable about accepting it right away?
Leave it to me to go zooming Fast Forward!!!
Hugs, Kath
Posted by wishingstar on January 29, 2007, at 17:40:38
In reply to Re: Job interviews... update » wishingstar, posted by Kath on January 29, 2007, at 16:49:02
Kath, I almost hope that doesnt happen! But I havbe a sneaking suspicion it could. I felt good about both and both places always seem to be hiring... and I've been very lucky with interviews in the past...
I'm not sure. I think if I got offered the first one before hearing about the second, I'll find out about salary (they didnt say today) and tell them I'm going to have to think and let them know early next week. Then I'll call the second and tell them I've been offered another position but I'm really excited about working for them, and has any decision been reached? That way theyll be forced to offer something quickly if they want me (if, of course). I think that's fair. What do you think? Is there a better way to handle it? I'd also consider salary to some point... I know the hospital will pay less, but if its MUCH less, I may just take the first anyway. I'm just not sure.
What do you think? Thats fair, right?
Posted by Kath on January 29, 2007, at 19:42:56
In reply to Re: Job interviews... update » Kath, posted by wishingstar on January 29, 2007, at 17:40:38
yes - I think that sounds like a good idea. Do you know the salary of the other job?
Which one do you think you'd really rather have if salary wasn't the issue?
I don't know if you're like me....I sometimes have trouble making decisions.
It'll be interesting to see what happens.
Posted by caraher on January 29, 2007, at 20:10:45
In reply to Re: Job interviews... update » wishingstar, posted by Kath on January 29, 2007, at 19:42:56
I think as long as you're honest you're automatically being fair with a prospective employer.
It does sound like there's a good chance you'll need to choose...
Posted by wishingstar on January 29, 2007, at 21:22:53
In reply to Re: Job interviews... update, posted by caraher on January 29, 2007, at 20:10:45
Thanks for the input. I dont know the salary of either job. I know many people will ask at the interview, but it just felt awkward and I figure I will ask if I get offered the job and discuss it before I accept anything.
If money were not a factor, I think I'd rather have the hospital job. I think I'd feel more useful, more important, more like I'm in the real world (for what reason, I dont know) in the first, but thats exactly what scares me. When I get overwhelmed either with work or emotionally, I shut down, and I think theres a greater chance for that in the first job. If I was happy and had no issues right now that concerned me I think I might take the first. But I dont want to set myself up for failure. I think I'd be happy in either and either is great experience. I plan to leave to get my MSW in a year or two anyway, so this isnt meant to be a forever job.
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