The Job Hunt Continues

Everyone who reads my blog regularly knows I've been out of work for awhile, you also know I had two interviews last week, actually I had three!

The first was at a staffing agency who I had unknowingly submitted a resume from a craigslist ad.  That's the challenge with responding to some craigslist ads, there is not always a lot of information.  Anyway, they liked my resume and had me come in and get all signed up.  It doesn't cost me anything, the employer pays.  The unfortunate thing is they do not work with any non-profits, so that kind of sucks.

The next interview was with a job I applied for last week on Wednesday and by Friday I was sitting in the Human Resources office having a wonderful chat.  The position is a brand new position, Administrative Assistant/Floater Enrichment Teacher for a before and after school program at 9 Seattle public schools.  A few of the sites also have pre-school.  The position requires all kinds of miscellaneous office duties as well as filling in as a substitute teacher when needed.  I would love this position.  They interviewed people yesterday and more today.  She said by April 8th they will contact everyone.  If I understand correctly they are inviting the top candidates to do an activity with the kids at one of the centers, before they make their final decision.  In the days following the interview I thought of all the ways my responses could have been better, but I cannot continually second guess myself without going crazy!

The third interview was not technically an interview.  It was a testing session with 3 other candidates.  There were 2 psychometric tests* as well as a very long set of essay questions regarding personal philosophies, how to handle certain situations and just about anything else you can think of.  It's for a part time Administrative Assistant position at a drug and alcohol rehab center.  The past year they've had really bad luck finding a good match for the position so this time they are screening very well.  The only challenge I see with this position (which is probably the same reason they've had trouble finding a quality person) is that the pay is very low and it's only 18 hours a week.  They said over and over the plan is that the position will go full time, but that cannot be counted on.  The position is interesting and I wouldn't mind having it, except for the challenges I've listed.  The next step is to be interviewed by panel sometime next week.

I could successfully do either of the positions.  Now that I've had a few days to digest everything I learned about both these positions on Friday I'd prefer the community day school job, but alas I do not get to choose.

Meanwhile the job hunt continues!

*Psychometric tests - Apparently they are psychological tests used to assess a variety of mental abilities and attributes, including achievement and ability, personality, and neurological functioning.  (I found them to be a test of vocabulary skills, but whatever).

Comments

[Asthmagirl]

That community daycare job is so you! Did you see the job that posted on the non profit network last week? You'd be awesome at that!

[Meg]

Oh I will keep my fingers crossed for the second job! Good luck! And if it doesn't work out I'm sure there's an even better one out there!

[The Incredible Woody]

Fingers crossed!!

[Lisa]

You are being incredibly successful in your job hunt! I know many folks who can't even get a darn interview. So good for you. And that second job is perfect for you! If you hear fluttering sounds outside your window it's all my happy thoughts arriving your way. Good luck!!

[Mental P Mama]

I really want you to get that floater job. What a wonderful opportunity to do so many different things! Keeping everything crossed!

[Jenn @ Juggling Life]

I think it is a great sign you are getting interviews--I have friends that have been looking for a while and are not even getting that.