Eek, a job

The day after I was given my temporary work authorization card, I filled out a job application at the vet’s office.  I knew they were hiring receptionists (a job which intimidates me), but had also heard through the grapevine that they might soon have an opening for an office manager.  I wasn’t sure what an office manager did, but I was told the job was mostly doing things like inventory, placing help wanted ads and screening applicants, and “conflict resolution”.  I was pretty psyched about having a job like that, because it would allow me to work in a veterinary environment while still having some autonomy (i.e., not being constantly supervised, and being able to mostly work at my own pace).  So, I submitted my application and resume, and then… nothing.  No one called me about my application, at all.  After a couple of weeks I checked in by phone and was told that they were really behind on hiring because the office manager had indeed been fired.  I was very pleased about the firing, but still unable to hook up with the vet who was hiring because she isn’t in the clinic very often.  Finally, I just made an appointment for Eli to have her wellness exam, and I made it with the vet I needed to speak to (I’m the rare person who has to pay money to get a job interview, heh).

This past Monday we had the appointment.  The receptionists knew I wanted to discuss employment, so they scheduled our appointment for a half-hour block instead of just 15 minutes.  The vet came into the exam room, checked out Eli, and left.  That was it.  I had to ask a tech to fetch the vet for me again.  When she came back into the room I said, “What on earth do I have to do to get you to give me a job?!”  She seemed a bit surprised, which must mean she’s overworked, because she’s known that I’ve wanted to work at her clinic for years.  Not only had I filled out an application, I’d had two of the receptionists actively requesting I be hired, so the fact I practically dropped to my knees and begged her for employment shouldn’t have been a surprise.

She asked me what I wanted to do at the clinic, and I said that I honestly didn’t want to be a receptionist, because I thought the job was too difficult.  There was no point in lying about it… the stress of being a receptionist would eat me alive.  I then mentioned I was interested in the office manager position, a job which is like a revolving door in that clinic because the people they hire just never seem to mesh with the rest of the staff.  I suggested that maybe it was time to hire someone who was familiar with the office and the employees, and outlined my background in hiring people, supervising, running a business, etc.  The vet was open-minded about hiring me, but said that she was honestly thinking of eliminating the position completely, because the job always ended up causing more problems than it solved.  We chatted back and forth about various things—vet stuff, immigration stuff, office politics, etc.—and I mentioned that I was interested in one day going back to school to become a tech.  The vet perked up—“You want to be a tech?”  They were hiring techs, but I reminded her that I had no qualifications and no training (and legally, “technicians” have to be licensed by the state).  I finished up the interview (which lasted about an hour) by suggesting that she could hire me as the office manager on a trial basis to see if it worked out, and that if it didn’t work out, I’d still remain a happy client.

Yesterday, the head vet tech called and told me that Eli’s bloodwork had been fine.  She then asked if I could come in next Tuesday at 7:15 in the morning for a working job interview, to be an assistant tech.  She said the interview would show “what (you) know and what (you) don’t know”, and I have a feeling I’ll excel only at the “what I don’t know” aspect.  I love the idea of working with staff in a hands-on capacity, but still, it’s frightening.  I’m so old… the licensed techs could be my adult children.  I worry that I’ll discover the job I’ve always dreamed of is a job I’m not good at.  I also worry that my decade-long health problems will prove to be insurmountable.  It’s been one thing to have been forbidden from working for the last decade, but now that I’m allowed to, what if I just can’t do it?  Mostly, it’s a bit scary to be jumping back on the employment horse again.  If any of you have been away from working for any length of time, you’ll know how easy it becomes to stay at home, to not have a routine, to be a bit of a hermit.  I know I want to work (and I’ve always loved my jobs), but it’s very frightening to suddenly have the moment of truth on the horizon.

When Labour Day rolls arounds every year, I heave a sigh of relief that I’m no longer a student, subject to the whims of the calendar, wondering what challenges the year has in store for me.  As I wait for my interview next Tuesday, I once again feel like an apprehensive student during the last few days of summer vacation!

Posted by Leigh-Ann on 09/14 at 12:56 AM

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

  1. I’ve been unemployed for almost four years so I know the apprehension you feel. Before I got the notice that I was accepted to my current school, I was having panic attacks about going back into the workforce.

    What if I had the same issues all over again?

    Keep us aprised. We’ll be rooting for ya.

    Posted by Nio  on  09/14  at  12:08 PM

  2. Thanks, Nio :)

    Posted by Leigh-Ann  on  09/14  at  10:46 PM

  3. Good luck, Leigh-Ann!

    Posted by Helly  on  09/15  at  04:45 AM

  4. I completely understand the nerves about it, but I’m thrilled for you!

    Posted by Diana  on  09/15  at  12:42 PM
    5. Page 1 of 1 pages

Name:

Email (required, but will not be made public):

Location:

URL:

Smileys

Remember my details for future comments?

Let me know about new replies to this topic?

Next entry: Handler punished over police dog's pregnancy

Previous entry: Selective deafness

<< Back to main