as many of you know i will be laid-off when i leave on maternity. i have known this since late june. because of my special situation i have not been able to look for other jobs for many reasons:
i don't want to jeopardize losing my severance and maternity leave.
who would hire me, 4 months pg at the time.
if i was hired i would only have the minimum maternity leave. (6weeks)
i want to build on to my PTO bank.
i could go on!
however, long before i ever knew of the budget cut that would ultimately erase my position i had applied for many MANY jobs (whatever i qualify for that includes weekends off) within CMC. each and every job would be a dead end all because my current position is non-union.
maybe a month ago i had decided to apply for a casual position in the mail room at the hospital. I figured who would ever apply for a casual! this was my chance to 1) get in to the union and 2) i was getting desperate for a job, ANY job.
Well, to my great surprise allinas recruitment center called inquiring about my interest in the mail room position. She, michelle, asked many questions. one being why i would want to go from a .5 status to a casual. I explained to her that in december i will be laid off and would take anything (as long as it didnt affect my unemployment qualifications) and that at the same time i will be having a baby. she was surprised by my answer. she was not aware of my future at CMC. she explained to me that that boss man of the mail room is looking to fill this position with someone that can cover work hours over the next few holidays. in other words, not me. after hearing this all i could really do was laugh! i cant even get a casual position!! i knew at that point allina would not be offering me anything. ever. again.
i continued to apply for "dream" jobs. the same ones i have been for years.
two weeks ago today i was blessed with a phone call from michelle, again. this time for the "dream" job (being a high school grad with only some college under my belt getting a job without weekends and holidays...is gold) i was still in bed and scott was getting ready for work. i quickly sat up with excitement and with the goal to wake up and sound awake. she asked me about my customer service experience, my knowledge of excellian (the data base allina uses), my computer knowledge, and whether im a ten finger typer or a two finger typer (seriously, that was a question). I SOLD MYSELF! i was born into customer service, i use excellian daily, i am completely computer confident, and yes, i am a ten finger typer (truth). in the same conversation she offered me an interview for the next day. wholly crap! is all i could think. the meeting was arranged.
the interview was scheduled so soon i didnt even have time to feel nervous. i prepared as well as i could. i went over my resume, the required job qualifications and why i exceed minimum. during the interview she asked many scenario questions. Have you ever....and how did you handle that situation....i had an answer for everyone of her questions. i was confident in my answers and the stories i had. most having to do with customer service (thank goodness for years of customer service experience). i asked my questions and we were soon on the tour of where i could be working. forty-five minutes later i was in my car.
the waiting game.
at the end of our talk i asked my interviewer when i could expect to hear back. she was unsure but hopeful it would be decided sometime that week . well, a whole week goes by and nothing. i let two more days pass before i finally call michelle the recruiter. i inquire about the job i interviewed for. She hadn't heard anything yet but tomorrow (friday) she should have answers for me. so, i wait.
Friday morning, the job never even crosses my mind. i get ready for work, leave home, punch in, and {ring ring ring} goes my phone. Unknown number? "hello, this is ange". and it's michelle on the other line. we talk and im running late for work. more talk...talk....talk...."we would like to offer you a .6 receptionist position"
"SWEEEEET" that is how i actually replied! i accepted the position, with no hesitation and still running ever later for work. we discuss the details and how we would handle my maternity leave. telling her that i will only be taking a 6 week leave (yes, i do realise how hard that will be), she then was able to guesstimate my return date to the end on january :( assuming i actually deliver on my due date. we say good bye and run in to the office. with a huge smile and assuring my co-worker im here.
so, after all the hoopla of having a job, then not having a job, applying for jobs and being denied for jobs....i HAVE a job! A "dream" job!
that was a great day
No comments:
Post a Comment