Tag Archives: Interview

Left Turn

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One hour before I had to leave for an interview this afternoon I had a conversation with a Mensendieck therapist* about my doubts…

*Mensendieck is a paramedical system of correct body mechanics, correct muscle function, and correct posture based on sound fundamental research developed by Dr. Bess Mensendieck and has widespread use in Europe, specifically Denmark, Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands.

She told me to just be honest and to tell them what my reasons were for having those doubts. I was nervous not because of the interview but because I would have to go there with mixed feelings while I should be overenthusiastic, convincing and showing my total commitment and a drive to attain the goal: getting this job.

I had the interview, I was honest and I told them about my doubts halfway through. I can’t fool these people: they’re psychiatrists… professionals… They have the ability to x-ray your thoughts and your soul and make you say things that you think were safely put away in the back of your head, unreachable and hidden to others… NOT.

What was supposed to be a quick and short interview became a fifty minutes one and near the end I said to them that it might be best if they would offer someone else this opportunity instead of me. No, I didn’t lose my mind… Something weird happened during the interview while they were carefully analysing my reactions and words.

At some point they offered me a better position, which included a creative job and a higher education than the one I had the interview for. I could use my creativity with the job they had on offer while the original one didn’t involve creativity at all -which I knew- but it didn’t matter until the moment they mentioned another position and asked me what I’d prefer…

I left with this odd feeling… not sure what to feel. I have to call Mr. L. (the main interviewer) next week and make an appointment with him to discuss the possibilities, it will take about an hour. I would be working three days a week and study for a bachelor degree on the fourth day for four years. They will pay for my study/books while I’d work for their organisation…

So I guess I did what was right, I listened to my gut feeling and was honest with them… a win-win situation. I have till September to commit to my design work and use the available network to get assignments in while I’ve something good to look forward to. I think it all is going to work out just fine as long as I trust that gut feeling. Today is proof of that!

When I left they shook my hand and thanked me for my honesty. I think that was the best compliment I had in a while…

The T-Junction…

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I have an interview tomorrow and I have no clue what to wear… I have been repeating and answering possible questions over and over again in my head but as usual I’ve stopped doing this because it is no point to try to control or prepare this in advance. I’m not nervous at all, because I always feel that if things are meant to be it’s meant to be. If this job (including three years of education) is meant for me than it’s meant for me and it will happen.

I’ve received a phone call yesterday about the interview and to be honest I was surprised that I even made it through to the second round since the competition is fierce. I only get 30 minutes to convince them of my skills and dedication to make this work for the next three years. But I’m having major doubts because it would mean a proper career change, while I’m still slowly but surely putting down my roots (client-wise) where I’m currently living…

Yesterday I was given a personal phone number of the manager of the City Auditorium who wanted me to contact her: she has such a huge network and wanted to recommend me to potential clients or even help me find a perm/temp design job. It makes me think whether I tried hard enough since the move. I’d have to say I probably didn’t because I never really made up my mind not knowing what direction to go until I’d taken the competency test.

When I was going through the results with the coach I was told to either continue what I’m doing but actually commit myself instead of doing stuff half-arsed. Committing means doing what I’ve done in the UK: properly register the company with the chamber of commerce. But most of all getting out there to get assignments in because it won’t just happen: networking is a huge part of that so I’m very pleased with this person’s phone number! It’s a start…

So… not knowing what to wear for this interview is probably representing an underlying issue that I need to address. I wanted this interview so badly when things were still looking bright last summer but when I heard about the terms and conditions it all started to look a bit gloomy. I wish I would be shown which way to turn: some divine sign from the Universe or am I too blind to see and missing something? I’m so good at annoying myself!

They dangle the carrot but it all comes down to how hungry you really are, if you get my drift…

© Caroline Young