View Full Version : OK, I did it...I went to the interview
I had the interview this morning for the lateral position at the library. It went OK. I was asked a lot of "canned questions" (as I suspected I might be).
I didn't sleep very well (I've been having a lot of trouble with that, but that's a different thread/forum!) and after it was over, I felt totally wiped. Like I could go for a nap for the rest of the day and that would be dandy.
I learned more about the position, and I'm trying to make a pro-and-con list. I honestly don't know if I would take the position if it were offered to me. I was just talking to the other library tech about it. I was curious as to whether or not she was interested. She was not, for a couple of reasons. She (like me) is suspicious that we were never told internally about the open position. Plus, several weeks ago, she saw another employee (not from the library), whose dad just happens to be a big man on campus and is friends with the library director, interview for the job. (She overheard them talking). So I really wonder if the job listing was just a formality.
There's no increase in pay should I get the job, so it's not exactly a no-brainer situation.
I could just stay in this department and quietly continue reading during my downtimes, writing my novel, etc. I get along with everyone just fine. Professionally, it does not offer any kind of learning opportunities, though. That's my main reason for looking elsewhere. (That, and my "he's talking and he won't shut up" supervisor. >8))
Going through the experience has made others aware of you so it was all worthwhile plus you have another interview under your belt which is good as well.
Going through the experience has made others aware of you so it was all worthwhile plus you have another interview under your belt which is good as well.
+1
I learned more about the position, and I'm trying to make a pro-and-con list. I honestly don't know if I would take the position if it were offered to me. I was just talking to the other library tech about it. I was curious as to whether or not she was interested. She was not, for a couple of reasons. She (like me) is suspicious that we were never told internally about the open position. Plus, several weeks ago, she saw another employee (not from the library), whose dad just happens to be a big man on campus and is friends with the library director, interview for the job. (She overheard them talking). So I really wonder if the job listing was just a formality.
Well, if the interview was just a formality, neither of you will have to ponder taking the job because you won't be offered it. In the meantime, you gained some more experience in interviewing and you found a possible avenue out of your current bad position is a dead end. Valuable either way, I'd say....
Frugalone- kind of a hijack here, but would you be interested in a thread for aspiring novelists? I think there are others on the forum who are writers (published and unpublished) who might find it fun to participate...
...I could just stay in this department and quietly continue reading during my downtimes, writing my novel, etc. I get along with everyone just fine. Professionally, it does not offer any kind of learning opportunities, though. That's my main reason for looking elsewhere. (That, and my "he's talking and he won't shut up" supervisor. >8))
Sure, kitten. Though I confess, it's been years since I've actually worked on the darn thing!
Frugalone- kind of a hijack here, but would you be interested in a thread for aspiring novelists? I think there are others on the forum who are writers (published and unpublished) who might find it fun to participate...
I wonder why I feel like sh*t about the whole thing. I am disappointed...with the job I have now, the fact that the potential job isn't going to be anything I think I'd like, that I'm questioning whether I even want to work in a library, that I'm almost 50 and don't know what I want to be when I grow up...I'm freaking tired of searching job web sites and finding *nothing*. I'm just tired...
Well, if the interview was just a formality, neither of you will have to ponder taking the job because you won't be offered it. In the meantime, you gained some more experience in interviewing and you found a possible avenue out of your current bad position is a dead end. Valuable either way, I'd say....
I wonder why I feel like sh*t about the whole thing. I am disappointed...with the job I have now, the fact that the potential job isn't going to be anything I think I'd like, that I'm questioning whether I even want to work in a library, that I'm almost 50 and don't know what I want to be when I grow up
I'm past 50 and I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up, besides maybe independently wealthy. :D
Not to make light of your situation, though. I think you went after this interview hoping/thinking that you'd find an interesting, challenging job in which your interest in library science would be addressed. It also casts the entire decision to go for a degree in a disappointing light, which is doubly harsh because you didn't choose to work toward a degree in library science just because your favorite actor once played one in a movie. It was a conscious decision and now you're rethinking it (which I think is wise before you put the time and money into an MLS).
I think the suggestion has been made before (and I apologize for not remembering your response to it), but I really think you should look for some vocational counseling. It could be as easy to get started as, err, checking books out of the library, like "What Color Is Your Parachute?" or "Callings" or "Do What You Love, The Money Will Follow". Or local low-cost/free workshops from your school's continuing education department or your county job service. You seem stuck right now; if someone else can give you a nudge in the right direction, why not let them?
Not to diss your suggestions...but I've done more than one of those books and it's gotten me nowhere. I mean, if one's interests and talents turn out to be in totally impractical areas where there are no jobs (i.e., writing/editing/publishing), what options are left?
I've done online (paid a small fee) career assessments, too.
Unless I want to work promoting power scooters or dental supplies, there are very few job openings around here for "writers." And I may have mentioned before, you can't just be a writer. Now you've got to be a graphic designer, a web master, a social media specialist...You know, I just don't have the mental energy to deal with this anymore. It took me almost 10 years to get the degree I *have* and *wanted* (which was for my 2nd career). Now I'm supposed to start all over again? I'm sorry...I just can't do this anymore.
I'm 58, and applying for coordinator level jobs, after being at the director level for a decade. Mostly because I am rather exhausted from the cancer experience this year, and I just want to work somewhere fun for awhile, with no huge responsibilities. I have finally understood that I am a grown-up, and human, and that's enough for me. Work is not my identity.
I hear you!
You have been through a very scary ordeal and deserve a break.
I had big responsibilities at my last job, and I couldn't handle it. I made a lot of mistakes and eventually lost the job. Maybe I'm better off with the status quo. Food for thought.
I'm 58, and applying for coordinator level jobs, after being at the director level for a decade. Mostly because I am rather exhausted from the cancer experience this year, and I just want to work somewhere fun for awhile, with no huge responsibilities. I have finally understood that I am a grown-up, and human, and that's enough for me. Work is not my identity.
Sunflower
8-15-13, 12:34am
Frugal One, I can so relate to your exhaustion with the whole career thing. I'm 46 and a burned out former bookkeeper. . .I get tired just looking at job postings, especially accounting ones!
Not to diss your suggestions...
You know, I just don't have the mental energy to deal with this anymore. It took me almost 10 years to get the degree I *have* and *wanted* (which was for my 2nd career). Now I'm supposed to start all over again? I'm sorry...I just can't do this anymore.
I understand. I am about finished with talking about my career thing. Everyone here has been nice but it just isn't what really happens. I keep on struggling and I really really hate it. Every time money gets tight I just get upset. There is such a well worn groove that is the conflict between the world still insisting that we can get good jobs and it is all about us focusing or having the right attitude or going back to school, whatever, but as a society we cannot accept that we can't just FIX it, I end up not wanting to upset people like you all and my sister who are encouraging because nothing has changed.
I am burned out too, I had a recent very successful experience with a special needs family. I had to tell the mom we could not care for her child the first day of school which sucks. Then we talked it through, later I got an email complimenting and thanking me for the work we have done the last year. I passed it to my supervisor, she in turn passed it on. And I love that but let's be honest. I am not going to get a better job from this am I. And I am worn out of trying although I did put another dozen applications out in my district.
frugalone
8-15-13, 11:02am
Zoe Girl: Here's a kicker for ya: I was having regrets the other day at having lost my "big a$$ job" that I held for seven years (the one I refer to above). And I was looking on flipdog.com for job postings under "writer," "editor," etc. And lo and behold what pops up but my former employer institution, looking for someone to edit their alumni publications, web site, etc. It was the job just above mine. I had thought I had recovered from that job, but suddenly all the dislike (nay, hatred) I had for the people in that department came rushing back to me.
When I examine the whole thing, it wasn't entirely my fault (though as I said, I did contribute to my own downfall). I really think that it was a toxic environment (and others who have quit from there have said as much to me).
That was supposed to be "the job I worked so hard to get because I went to school at night for eight years to earn my BA." It was a big letdown. I've found, all my life, that most work is never what I think it's going to be.
And while I'm ranting and raving, another thing that wears me out is sites like flipdog and indeed.com. You put in words for your search, and somehow, stuff like "home health aide" comes up. Tell me, how does "writer" end up in an ad like that? I think someone on here (STevie in Mn?) pointed out that people sprinkle words in ads that are invisible to the viewer. I wonder if there is a way to filter it out. It would save a lot of trouble.
ApatheticNoMore
8-15-13, 2:04pm
Can I join in and throw tomatoes at the career counseling idea. Well I've done it - twice. And it didn't work. So then maybe the problem is supposed to be you and you are supposed to look inward. Ugh one gets tired of doing that too, as one has done that plenty also (geez I've read serious psychological literature and tried to ... I do think it's still an unfinished project though). But mostly:
"I've been to the doctor, I've been to the mountains ..."
But there probably exist some people on earth that some career counseling helps. Fine, never said there wasn't :) But really it was horrible, it wasn't even trying ... I often think I'd be far better served by taking career counseling courses myself than working with those hacks.
My interests are probably few and idosyncratic too. Sometimes I think maybe all I really like is debating people online :). Well I thought when I was very young that I wanted to be a musician (and with a fair bit of effort toward that - yes I practiced hours a day) but you need *extreme* passion and effort and so on for that just to barely scrape by, so no I decided that was not for me. I thought I wanted to be a landscape architect, until I discovered it was more about drawing than plants (I love plants) and when I discovered the employment prospects were only 50% of grads get jobs in the field (for 4 years of extremely intense graduate level work - if I'm going to work that hard I want better odds than a coin toss, that is all). A possible potential that I've always though I was good at is learning and teaching, now if I could get such a job in business doing some type of training, I might do well (but who trains employees for anything anymore?).
now if I could get such a job in business doing some type of training, I might do well (but who trains employees for anything anymore?).
Such jobs still exist. They simply may not be readily recognizable. At least in IT, the days of sitting students in a room with a live instructor are pretty much dead. But training through video presentations/Webinars is very much alive. There still are all kinds of non-classical institutions doing training -- vo-tech schools, "Acme School of Business" -- around here the Science Museum of Minnesota offers a variety of classes (https://www.smm.org/classes/catalog). There's even training in how to use tools (http://www.auto-video.com/portal/) like the ones dealerships use to diagnose car problems and how-to-do-it videos available at home-improvement Web sites. I'm not saying all of these will meet your skills or your interests, but there's lots of training out there. It just takes different forms than someone standing up in a classroom.
miradoblackwarrior
8-20-13, 11:45am
Hi, frugalone--
As a fellow library worker, I can really identify with you. We have a sociopath for a director, which means that my burnout (I'm 58) just got toastier, as my life, my job, my career, turned into a living hell. I have applied to other places--halfheartedly. I (we) are of an age where we will never work at another job again (I refuse to count Walmart greeter). What do I do? Well, for starters, I am inspired by all the novels coming down the pike to keep working on my own. If they could do it, why not me? I am counting down my retirement clock (actually bought one), but I also have an F-U date, just in case my health struggles from all this stress. It took a lot of sacrifices to be able to actually formulate an F-U date, and, sometimes, I have to crunch those numbers again and again to reassure myself that it will actually happen one day, and I will be able to leave this nightmare forever.
Whew! Windy!
One of my points was about your novel. You will feel better if you get back to work on it. Maybe only a page a day, if that is all you can (approx. 250 words). Regardless, it will feed your soul that you are working on a dream, and you will be able to progress. Then, when the job really gets you down, you have that to look forward to, knowing that you are progressing in you soul work.
Frugalone, I feel for you! Hopefully you can find some inspiration in what I've just said. And, if you do decide to start a novelist thread, I'm in!
Susan
Amen!
I'm 58, and applying for coordinator level jobs, after being at the director level for a decade. Mostly because I am rather exhausted from the cancer experience this year, and I just want to work somewhere fun for awhile, with no huge responsibilities. I have finally understood that I am a grown-up, and human, and that's enough for me. Work is not my identity.
omg mirado, are you me?
Thanks so much for posting this. I've often felt like I'm the only one who hates my job as much as I do on here - and that I'm ungrateful (I mean I know I'm lucky to even have a job, etc. etc.). So oddly, your post about burnout under a sociopath director really cheered me up ;)
There is a real issue around ageism in the job market, and those of us who haven't saved a third of every paycheck starting at age 20 are really feeling this now. Also, as you get older you realize you're willing to put up with less $hit on the job. So even if all the 20-somethings weren't edging me out about now because they're happy to do my same job for a fraction of the pay, I'd still be SOL because I can't bear to keep working with psychos anymore.
The non-profit where I work is having trouble staying afloat, so whether or not I can jump to something else, I'll probably be trashcanned in any event when the station dies or gets bought out. And meanwhile my husband's company was just bought out. It's possible all the radio employees will be blown out, and hubby will be out of a job - just when I was contemplating leaving my SSJH and relying on his paycheck until I figured out my next move.
So, oops, that's not really an option anymore. The feeling of being trapped is what's so nerve-wracking!
Hi, frugalone--
As a fellow library worker, I can really identify with you. We have a sociopath for a director, which means that my burnout (I'm 58) just got toastier, as my life, my job, my career, turned into a living hell. I have applied to other places--halfheartedly. I (we) are of an age where we will never work at another job again (I refuse to count Walmart greeter). What do I do? Well, for starters, I am inspired by all the novels coming down the pike to keep working on my own. If they could do it, why not me? I am counting down my retirement clock (actually bought one), but I also have an F-U date, just in case my health struggles from all this stress. It took a lot of sacrifices to be able to actually formulate an F-U date, and, sometimes, I have to crunch those numbers again and again to reassure myself that it will actually happen one day, and I will be able to leave this nightmare forever.
Whew! Windy!
One of my points was about your novel. You will feel better if you get back to work on it. Maybe only a page a day, if that is all you can (approx. 250 words). Regardless, it will feed your soul that you are working on a dream, and you will be able to progress. Then, when the job really gets you down, you have that to look forward to, knowing that you are progressing in you soul work.
Frugalone, I feel for you! Hopefully you can find some inspiration in what I've just said. And, if you do decide to start a novelist thread, I'm in!
Susan
About the novel thread - I can't create a mini-forum, right? I can only start a thread somewhere and encourage others to post? If there's another way to do this, please let me know...
Mirado, Thanks for the encouragement. I have a pen pal who recommends self-publishing through amazon.com if all else fails. Something to think about. I really should pick up the pen (or the keyboard) again! I'm sorry to hear about the Library Director from Hell. My director is a pretty cool guy. I like everyone I work with (even my chatty boss)...it's just not turning out to be what I thought it would.
Kitten, I don't know the answer to the "novel" thread/forum question but I am definitely interested so please PM me if you figure out how to start one! Thanks!
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