topic Re: Job Search in Among Friends

Job Search

roeroe1005 — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 03:08:49 GMT

I have to share this quick story, so I know it's not me ...

I retired from my job June 30th. Worked as secretary to Principal in a high school.

I still want to work and have begun looking for something part time. I'm following Indeed.com and a few other job search engines.

Anyway, I find a part time (2 day a week) secretarial position in a private school for students w/learning disabilities. I applied, the "headmaster" calls, and we set up a time for Monday at 2:30p. Done so I thought.

This morning someone from the office e-mails me that Monday is now not good. Tuesday at 10a, please confirm. I e-mail back that I am not available Tuesday at 10a; I have an appt that cannot be changed, but am available anytime after 12noon that day. I get e-mail back - not good, make it at 9a. I e-mail back that because of the appt at 10a, that I cannot change, 9a would not be enough time to interview, and get to my 10a appt. At this point I'm ready to say forget it.

Another e-mail to me saying they will get back to me. Yeah, okay.

This afternoon I get an e-mail saying that it will have to be Monday afternoon(!). I respond fine, I'm available any time Monday.

I just got an e-mail, at 10:30p, stating Monday at 2:15p!

I responded with "confirmed".

I have lost all interest in the job, but I'm so curious to see who these people are! And how are they running a school for children with learning disabilities!

Re: Job Search

nana59 — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 03:31:22 GMT

i have a friend whose favorite phrase is "you can't fix stupid!" hope it works out for you, but it sounds like office chaos!

Re: Job Search

Love my grandkids — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 03:35:35 GMT

I'd love to know how this shakes out, please let us know !

Re: Job Search

mom2four0418 — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 03:35:58 GMT

@roeroe1005 wrote:
I have to share this quick story, so I know it's not me ...

I retired from my job June 30th. Worked as secretary to Principal in a high school.

I still want to work and have begun looking for something part time. I'm following Indeed.com and a few other job search engines.

Anyway, I find a part time (2 day a week) secretarial position in a private school for students w/learning disabilities. I applied, the "headmaster" calls, and we set up a time for Monday at 2:30p. Done so I thought.

This morning someone from the office e-mails me that Monday is now not good. Tuesday at 10a, please confirm. I e-mail back that I am not available Tuesday at 10a; I have an appt that cannot be changed, but am available anytime after 12noon that day. I get e-mail back - not good, make it at 9a. I e-mail back that because of the appt at 10a, that I cannot change, 9a would not be enough time to interview, and get to my 10a appt. At this point I'm ready to say forget it.

Another e-mail to me saying they will get back to me. Yeah, okay.

This afternoon I get an e-mail saying that it will have to be Monday afternoon(!). I respond fine, I'm available any time Monday.

I just got an e-mail, at 10:30p, stating Monday at 2:15p!

I responded with "confirmed".

I have lost all interest in the job, but I'm so curious to see who these people are! And how are they running a school for children with learning disabilities!

It is probably best to pull out now. You seem to have already decided that it is not a good fit for you. Good Luck!

Re: Job Search

q-girl — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 03:48:12 GMT

Perhaps it is this person with whom you've been communicating that you would be replacing? It sounds as if you are sorely needed!

Hugs . . .

Re: Job Search

GCR18 — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 04:11:04 GMT

It does sound odd, but who knows. Maybe the person who emailed is filling in and working late keeping up on things. I'd ask about it when hours are discussed. Do you have two shifts? I was caught off guard the other night with an email about the interview.

Re: Job Search

Catty2 — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 04:44:32 GMT

Sounds like a disorganized person, but hope that your interview does take place. Then you will know if it's something you would be interested in or not. Let us know how it goes.

Re: Job Search

CinNC — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 10:47:23 GMT

Yes, please post an update if you go.

Years ago I had an experience with a church-based school for children w/disabilities. Over the phone - the man doing the hiring asked me all about my family situation and then told me I could meet the rest of the people/staff at their church on Sunday. I respectfully declined the job and he said he just couldn't figure out why he couldn't hire anyone.

Re: Job Search

software — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 12:24:03 GMT

I've always worked in the private sector, never for a school or the government for just this reason. Their superpower is not being organized with things like appointments, etc. That's why they need you. Their superpower is treating the childen well, being patient with the children, things I could never do on a full time basis.

I'm probably out of line but for a job that's only 2 days a week, I think you are expecting too much. Relax, be flexible, this could be a blessing for you and the school.

Re: Job Search

pommom — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 12:40:00 GMT

They see that they have a potential gem for a part-time employee, otherwise, they would not be pushing the interview.

Remember, it's a two-way street. You don't have to take it.

Re: Job Search

Chicagosuburbangirl — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 13:02:35 GMT

Sounds like you were drawn to this unique school for a special purpose.

Maybe they really need your help and this could be good for all down the line.

Try to see this annoyance as a tiny part of a much larger journey.

Re: Job Search

roeroe1005 — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 14:06:29 GMT

software,

I also worked in corporate for 30 years - 20 of those years were for corporate attorneys - acquisitions/mergers, etc. So because of this, I had become really, really OCD.

After a major reorg and we were all let go, I got the job in the school. What a difference! I've experienced both sides of the fence.

Re: Job Search

AuntG — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 16:24:46 GMT

Still worth checking it out.

Re: Job Search

chrystaltree — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 16:39:52 GMT

Personally, I would respond that I am no longer interested in the position. What's the point in going to interview? You already know what a bleep fest that place would be to work for.

Re: Job Search

tobes — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 19:51:49 GMT

Go for it. You are in a position now that you can take it or leave it. Might be an interesting life experience for you; something to add to your memory bank even if it does not work out.

Re: Job Search

Drythe — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 01:52:56 GMT

@roeroe1005

Obviously they really need your help!

Re: Job Search

happycat — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 03:29:33 GMT

It sounds like a hot mess. Poor kiddo's.

Re: Job Search

Ifeelwicked — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 08:07:49 GMT

First of all, it’s not you. 😊 That said, you have nothing to lose. (Could have been an extremely busy day there. Who knows?) Go to the interview . . . . and relax. You hold all the cards! 👍🏻

Re: Job Search

GinzTonic — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 02:00:11 GMT

I feel like so much is lost in translation via emails. Good luck on your job search.

Re: Job Search

roeroe1005 — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 21:53:01 GMT

Well, I had the interview today. The person I was supposed to meet with is on vacation ...

I did meet the head director for 30 seconds, then a parent & student came in and he was gone.

So ... the secretary interviewed me. Needless to say, it was not the least bit stressful.

It is a very small private school - 30 students! The curriculum is strictly for students with learning disabilities. They come from all over our area. There are 4 psychologists who see the students every day. They still have their "core" classes, along with art, tech & music. Two days a week they are bused to another school for PE. And, as there is no cafeteria, the secretary ORDERS lunch for the kids everyday. Now that is different!

It is a job share, which is why it's 2 days. The other secretary works 3 days. It really did not sound as awful as I was expecting.

It is alot of what I did as Secretary to the Principal in my other job, only on a much, much smaller scale. I had to chuckle when the secretary said she was "stressed" sending out 25 report cards. Yikes, try sending 450 of them while doing all the other stuff that normally needs to be taken care of!

A decision will be made later this week. As I did not sit with either director, I don't know what, if any, my chances are.

Tomorrow I am going in a completely different direction - interviewing for the position of secretary to the Security Director at a local hospital. That is 4 days per week and the hourly salary is pretty close to what I was making. So I'm going to really kiss up for that!