Job Interviews

They are nerve wracking. I never know how to correctly answer the questions. It is hard to be put on the spot like that and know the right thing to say.

Back story:

I have a great job. I like it but I am working on getting my Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice so I want to find something that I could make into a career. My last class was about Juvenile Justice and as I studied the juvenile justice system I knew that is where I wanted to work.

So when a former co-worker posted on Facebook about the residential treatment center that she works at was hiring I was super excited. I submitted  my resume. The do the interview process a bit differently there. You call in to see if they have any openings and then if they do you send your resume to the Human Resources department. I sent my resume in on a Thursday evening and on Friday morning I received a call to come in for an interview. I had an interview with the HR person on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and she asked me to fill out the application on the website and that she would pass my name on to the others that would be giving me the second interview.

Almost 2 weeks later I received a phone call asking if I could come in for a second interview. They did mention on the phone that other supervisors may call me for interviews. I bombed the interview.  I was interviewed by two of the staff but I felt flustered during the whole process.

I wish there was some way to know what types of questions that would be asked so you could go into an interview slightly prepared. First off there were several shifts they were hiring for. Different supervisors hiring for different shifts. The ones I interviewed with were doing the on call shift which is not the ideal for me but I was willing to do. I did tell them right off that I preferred a set schedule so maybe that is why I didn't get the job.  Here are the questions that I think I bombed. I am sure I am remembering some of them incorrectly.

1st bombed question: Describe yourself. (I hate describing myself. I feel like I lead an absolutely boring life). I do not even remember what I said.

       Better Answer: I am a wife, mother, student, lover, security guard, apartment manager, friend, and a giver. I love helping others and paying things forward. I enjoy reading books and watching British television. I have been married 11 years and have 4 children. I spend the majority of my time taking care of my children but work part time as a security guard. I am working on my Bachelors in Criminal justice. I will graduate in August. I am a hard worker, always on time, my current employer says that when I am at work he does not have to worry about because he knows that I can handle whatever needs to be done.

2nd bombed question: How do you nurture others? (I was totally flabbergasted, how does one even answer that? I asked what they meant and they explained the different languages of love. Its not that I don't nurture my family I just had never thought about my nurturing style).

      Better Answer: I am a really good listener. I allow others to share their feelings and thoughts with me while I listen intently. If they want advice or my opinion I will gladly help them with it. I am not very good at physically nurturing others by initiating touch unless it is toward my husband and children. I try everyday to make sure that my husband and children know that I love them by telling them and by showing them my love.

3rd bombed question: Actually a scenario. One of the girls is a known thief. Someone's c.d. goes missing and is found in the known thief's hamper. How do you handle the situation? ( I said that I would talk to the known thief and get her side of the story and see how things went. They then asked what if she said someone else was framing her? I responded that I would question all the people involved to see what really happened).
    Better Answer: At my house when we have someone that may have caused trouble we bring them into a private area and explain to them that nobody is in trouble we are just trying to figure out what happened. We want them to know that first and foremost they are loved.


4th Why do you want to work with troubled youth? (I mentioned my degree).
       Better Answer: I was a really shy teen that more than anything just wanted to feel loved. Not that my parents didn't take care of me and love but there was never any verbal I love yous or physical contact. I wanted to know that I was loved. I was taken care of but that is not the same as being loved. I want to let kids know that they are loved and wanted. I feel that everyone needs to hear that they are loved everyday. I worry that I say I love you to my husband too much I probably tell him at least 10 times a day.

5th How to you bring creativity into the workplace? (no recollection what I said but is sucked).
          Better Answer: I like to think out of the box. What may work for someone may not be the most efficient way to handle things. I like to think of more efficient and effective ways to do things.

Why are you the best candidate for the job? (I mentioned how I wasn't necessarily the best but that I would do my best).
      Better Answer: I am a hard worker. You will be hard pressed to find a more reliable worker. I care about others. I enjoy serving others and I want to have a career and not just a job.

So I got a call Friday afternoon saying I did not get the position but now I am not sure if it was just the on-call position or all of the available spots. I am debating e-mailing the HR person and getting the answer clarified but am second guessing myself because I already put myself out there and do not want to be crushed again.

Also I think this is the longest post I have written.

Eric

Four year-olds can be great! Here is a new collection of funny thoughts from Eric.

 One time Eric came up to me and said "Mom do you want to transform into a babe?"

Eric had the front door open and I asked him to close it, to keep the flies out. His response was "Jesus made a rule that flies can go into the house."

Eric woke up and the first thing he said was " I had the coolest dream ever! A girl and a girl were fighting."

Eric likes to ask for cheese grilled sandwiches.

One time I told Eric that he drives me crazy. He said "Mom I drive you gutterballs."

Anniversary!

Marc and I celebrated our 10th anniversary on August 17. It is so crazy how fast time goes by. I like to think that we are still pretty happy and love each other more than the day we got married!

A Bunch of Stuff

In June Charlotte turned 9! It is so crazy!

Evelyn spent most of June and July with Grandma and Papa Hafer.

Eric learned how to ride his bike with training wheels.

Sammee turned 2. She is 32 inches tall and 20 pounds!

We went to the cabin in July.

School started in August!!
      Charlotte is in 4th Grade
      Evelyn is in 2nd Grade
      Eric started preschool.

What to do while working the graveyard shift.

I thought maybe I would try to update this crazy blog. There won't be any pics this time but maybe soon! My kids keep growing older and older. Evelyn turned 7 in February and Eric turned 4 in April. They are getting so big. Sammee is finally walking. It only took her 18 months. She is crazy and silly and makes us smile everyday.

I got a new job. I am a security guard. It is okay to laugh at that. It seems pretty silly when I day it out loud. I am not a big person so the idea of me protecting anything is pretty crazy. I work the graveyard shift and the hardest part of the job is staying awake.

Marc got a motorcycle. I don't remember what kind. I am a slacker like that. It is the same one that my dad has.

School!!

School has started again!! Yay!!

Evelyn on the First Day of the First Grade!

Charlotte on the 3rd day of the 3rd Grade!

Random things Eric says

Eric asked me for a noodle with frosting the other day. Evelyn translated for me. He wanted a toaster strudel with frosting.

He also calls m&ms yum yums.

Eric told me the other day that if you get bugs in your hair they will eat your brains!

Hamburgers are Hamburbergers.

Today Eric is Dr. Octerpants! (Dr. Octopus)

Eric is not the only one who says crazy things. Evelyn asked why a limomarine was driving by.