Moving is stressful. Looking for a job is even more stressful. When we left Virginia to move to Ohio, I felt like I was leaving my dream job. I loved my job, loved the people I worked with. We hung out outside of school, many of us grew up together and it just felt like we were family. I shed many a tear over leaving my job at Middlesex Elementary School.
After living in Ohio for a month or so, I interviewed for a job as an 8th grade Intervention Specialist at Port Clinton Middle School. I didn't get the job but was offered another position at the school. I didn't have any other offers....and I'd soon find out that offers in my part of Ohio are few and far between. I was bummed that I didn't get the job that I originally applied for but accepted the one thing that I truly, 100% believe....everything happens for a reason. Now, I realize what that reason was....a girl named Hayley got the job I wanted! And I'm so glad she did because she became one of my closest friends. Had I gotten that job, she would've been working somewhere else and we may have never met. I'd take my friendship with her a million times over a position I wanted. And for the record, I ended up loving the position I was offered. The pay wasn't the greatest and the benefits sucked (bcs there weren't any) but I met so many wonderful people and students that it was worth it and I wouldn't change a thing about my experience at Port Clinton Middle School.
So, anyway...on to the Florida job search....it's been hard! It's sucked, actually. I don't know if I'm just over qualified or the things I've written in my application suck or if I just suck or what...IDK! But seriously, I bet I applied for 100 different positions within the county school system here and only received handful of interviews.
And here's the run down....and I'm going to be brutally honest without naming schools (except for one that I really wanna call out)
Job #1
I interview for an ESE Specialist position in Pompano Beach. An ESE Specialist is kinda like a school based Director of Special Ed. It's a half time position which has pros and cons (pros...awesome hours...cons...pay sucks). It's seriously the hardest interview I've ever been to. They ask questions and I feel completely inadequate! I feel like I know my stuff when it comes to Special Ed. I ask them about morale at their school...how their teachers get along...that's important to me....they exchange looks...I get weird vibes but whatever... I need a job. I'm willing to ignore the occasional crazy co-worker. I leave and figure "Well, that was a waste of time!" I seriously sucked! I know I did. I get home and get a call from them that I'm a finalist and they want to interview me again the next day. I told Daniel that the other candidates must've really, really sucked b/c I did such a horrible job. I go in the next day and meet with the principal and asst. principal...minus the teacher who was on the original interview committee. They tell me that they wanted to meet with me without her...b/c basically she was a problem. Ummmm....ok...sneaky...unprofessional...but whatever, I'll deal with your BS b/c I need a job.
Job #1 Verdict- Never heard from them again. Oh well...I also told them that I was not a big fan of unions.
Job #2
I go the interview at school #2 and wait for my entire life. They're behind. That irritates me but I'm not going to complain b/c I need a job. I smile and am totally fake and say "that's ok" but it's not ok. I'm hungry. I'm nervous. But I need a job. I go into the interview and its seriously the weirdest interview I've ever been a part of. Here's how it goes...she tells me that she is going to say a group of people and I have to say one word they would use to describe me...it was rapid fire.
Student....fair
Administrator...reliable
Co-teachers....fun
Parents....communicator
This went on for a few more and then she was like "Ok, we're done!" "What? Done? That's all?" ( I mean I didn't really say all that but that's what I was thinking). Not sure why the heck she was so far behind if this is how the interviews were going. She assures me that she will call one way or another.
Job #2 Verdict- I'm still waiting for weirdo principal at Job #2 to call. (I think that means I didn't get the job).
Job #3
I interview for another half time teaching position. It went well. Both ladies who interviewed me were great.
Job #3 Verdict- I had no sooner walked in the house when they called to offer me the job. Uh! Decisions, decisions...I wanted to take the job so badly BUT it being a half time position didn't work for us so I had to turn it down.
Job #4
So, I get an email in the middle of the night....like 3 in the morning. Here it is copied and pasted word for word.
Dear Emily Driggers,
Interviews for the ESE Specialist Position will be held on Wednesday, February 23rd. You have selected because we are interested in interviewing for the position. If you already have an interview, please disregard this email. If you do not, please report to the school between the hours of 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. with your resume.
We look forward to seeing you!
Ok...so February 23rd, huh? Guess I'm going to be a little late for this one.
And the grammar...ugh!
And the fact that there is no name, no school, no address.
But never fear, my Inspector Gadget skills were primed and prepped that morning. I had to google the name of the person who sent the email and track it to the school to see where it came from. And low and behold it was from the same school where I had Job #2 interview.
So, I call and I'm like (very nicely b/c I need a job) "you're email is a little messed up."
Long story short, I go into the interview and realize it is for the same EXACT position that I already interviewed for so it's totally awkward and this time it's in front of an interview panel and the principal explains that I really wasn't supposed to be invited to interview. The principal then explains to me that they are looking for someone with more experience for this particular position (it's also a director type job so I get that). BUT then she explains to me that they are hiring FOUR Intervention Specialists and she thinks I'd be a wonderful fit for the school and she'd like to hire me. Only thing is...it's a one year grant. She told me to go to the job fair and see what was out there but to call her back the next day b/c she wanted to hire me if I didn't find a more permanent position at the job fair. I thought this was great. The school is 10 minutes from the house and I figured I'd get my foot in the door. I felt excited and very relieved going into the job fair.
Job #4 Verdict- I called the next day to accept the position (job fair was a bust...see below). I left a message around 10:30. Called again around 2:30 and left a message. Sent an email on the next day. Waited all weekend. Called and left a message again on Monday. At this point I decided, for whatever reason, the principal had gotten my hopes up for nothing. I was devastated. Daniel wanted me to go to the school and "accept" the position face to face so she'd be put on the spot. I couldn't do that. I was so disgusted with her. Honestly, my feelings were hurt and I was just devastated that I got my hopes up. How unprofessional of her to offer me a job and then not return my calls or emails. Should've known after Job #2 interview with her and the email I got from her that was a disaster. (FYI...the school's name is Fairway Elementary! The principal is unprofessional). Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned so take that, Ms. Principal....now my entire following of 10 people will know you suck!
Job #5
Job Fair...stand in line with a couple thousand people...interview with a guy who was so distracted by the people around us he couldn't even make eye contact. Waste of time.
Job #5 Verdict
No go
Job #6
Job Fair...stand in line, waste my time.
Job #6 Verdict
No go....I don't even care at this point. That's a lie. I care....a lot...I'm stressed....I'm over it. Job searching sucks.
Job #7
I get a call to interview with a private school. The school is about 2 minutes from the house. The hours are perfect. No state tests! I can teach what I want to teach! Total control...it's a good thing and a bad thing. The interviewer spent an hour trying to sell ME on the school and why I should work there. It was a great feeling. I just knew I was getting a job offer. It sucks, however, b/c the pay is about $10,000 less than working in the public school. I decide I'm willing NOT make the pay be a deal breaker. I really liked the principal and felt like I'd enjoy working there.
Job #7 Verdict
I was offered the job but had to turn it down b/c I accepted a different position about two hours before her job offer.
Job #8
I interviewed at a great, little school in Coral Springs. I could just tell when interviewing with the principal and another lady that I would love working there. It was a 73% position so the hours were perfect...8:00-1:30 every day. I felt really good when I left the interview.
Job #8 Verdict
Not sure what the outcome would've been. They called to follow up about 10 minutes after I accepted a position with another school. I had to turn down going any further with the school. I was a little sad. I had a good feeling about that school and think I would've liked working there.
Job #9
Initially, I applied to be a case manager for students with disabilities at ARC Broward. I received a phone call from them last week letting me know that the position had been filled but they thought they would have a preschool teacher position open and they wanted to know if I'd like them to keep my application for that position. Sure! I honestly wasn't expecting to hear anything else so I was surprised last Friday when they invited me to interview this Monday. I went in for the pre-interview and just had really good vibes. I felt it went great and then I went to interview with the Director of the school and the ESE Specialist. The interview was crazy! First of all, it lasted for a long time which was actually refreshing b/c I felt that they really, really were interested in me. Secondly, with it being a preschool position, I didn't feel prepared for some of the questions. In my mind, I was constantly referring back to what I did with my own kids. When I left, I had no idea how it went. I felt confident but also knew that I could've done a better job with some of the questions and felt like, at times, I couldn't quite get out what I wanted to say. Long story short, I was home for about 15 minutes replaying the interview to Daniel when they called to offer me the job. I was so excited and felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders. I went back up there and spent the rest of the afternoon filling out paperwork.
So while the job search was stressful and very weird at times, I've realized a few things....
1. I have been very, very lucky to work under some amazing administrators. I was lucky when I worked for Middlesex County and I was lucky when I worked for Port Clinton.
2. Not everyone is lucky to work for amazing administrators and I feel sorry for them.
3. Everything does happen for a reason.
4. I think I may be in way over my head with my new position.
5. I'm going to work my tail off to give my kids the best preschool experience they can have.
6. I would never in a million, bazillion years send my kids to Fairway Elementary School ;)
Thanks for reading!
XOXO
Emily
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