Time to move on. It's just another chapter in the past. I'm not closing the book. Just turning the page.
The next page........taking care of myself. Watching out for myself. Protect myself.
To start things off, I applied for a job. It is an office manager job for a small law firm. I know nothing about law, but I do know how to run an office. I've been doing that for the last 5 years. And my experience with being a referee has given me the ability to work with all sorts of personalities.
I didn't hear from the one and only job I applied for. Five days went by. I figured they moved on and wouldn't take a look at me. However, on Monday, I got a phone call. The guy described the position. Mainly it's being the first face people see. It's talking to clients on the phone. It's keeping a schedule for 2 lawyers. It's filing, creating documents, basically what I do now minus the tutoring. It's his daughter's firm. He's helping her out.
He asked me if I could come in for a 'group' interview on Tuesday. I said sure. Monday night, I had the strangest dreams. One being this guy who I talked to on the phone, was in on the interviewing. Part of my dream was me answering questions and he was smiling and nodding his head. In my dream, he seemed to be liking all my answers.
I woke up Tuesday morning not very well rested. It's been so very long since I've had an interview. I'm the one who GIVES the interviews. I did not know what to expect. I am 52 years old and I was a bucket a nerves.
I had picked out my clothes the night before. Professional look is what I went for. Black patterned dress slacks, crisp white shirt, and complimentary jewelry. I even work black pumps. (Next time, I need to wear a knee high type sock. As the day went on, shoe was rubbing my feet and it hurt.)
I get to the business. Walk in and am directed to a small conference room. In there are two other people sitting at the table. I look at them and begin to wonder about them. The guy looked like a disheveled young guy. I think I had seen him get out of a car earlier which looked like it was driven by his mom. He has really thick glasses on and when I speak to him, I notice he has one crossed-eye. He also speaks weird. It's difficult to understand him. The other person was a lady who looked a lot older than me. Her blonde hair looks like it hasn't been cut in 30 years. She has absolutely no make up on. I think to myself she looks really pale. I bet if she had a great new hairstyle and a little make up, she'd be pretty. But, she looks very homely. Very frumpy. Then I think, I bet these two have worked in law offices before.
We are introduced to Dani by Doug, the guy who did the phone call. Dani and Doug are going to conduct the interview, but first, Meg, the daughter who owns the firm, comes in and talks to us briefly. She leaves and the interview begins.
They ask each of us the same question, taking turns on who has to start first. I soon realize that yes, these other two have TONS of experience with the law. When I think of my answer to most of the questions, I go back to what Meg said when she was talking to us. She said they were looking for someone to be the face and voice people see and hear first. To give the first impression. I know I am the type of person who always has a smile on my face. I know I have been able to reassure people when they are nervous or scared. I know how to make people feel welcomed. And, I am organized. I can multi-task. Sure, I don't know a thing about law, but I think I bring something else to the table. I bring a feeling of family.
Back to my dream I had. In the actual interview, the Dani and Doug were taking notes the entire time we spoke. Dani would look at me, I noticed she was admiring my necklace. HAHA. I wanted to tell her it's from Chicos. As I spoke, I'd see Doug writing, nodding, and smiling big. I wonder if he likes me best out of the 3 of us. I am brought back down to Earth when I hear the older woman speak. She's talking about 'briefs' and throwing out all sorts of law terms that I have no idea what she's saying. Oh, I am so clueless.
While this woman is speaking, on and on and on.......I think, wow, she just needs to answer the question. She's giving a speech. During this speech, she mentions how she just turned 50. WHAT?!?!?! I'm older than she is?! O.M.G. Wow, she definitely is not aging well.
The guy, when he answers questions, he keeps saying the same things over and over. Sometimes he makes sense. Sometimes I wonder what planet he lives on.
We are 3 completely different candidates for this position. So very different. Night and day different.
We are told there are 3 others interviewing on Friday. They will go through the same process. Sometime next week, we will get a call if they want us back for a one-on-one interview.
I leave not feeling really great. Those other two have so much law experience. Plus, I'm older than they are. I decide to call Dan. He is the only one that knows about this. (Earlier, I had sent him a text asking if I could use him as a personal reference.) Of course, he said absolutely. And then he followed it up with a phone call. So, I told him everything that has been going on. He said I'm doing the right thing.
So, I called Dan and told him about the interview. How the guy has been working for various law firms since 2005. How the woman is actually considered a paralegal and taking law classes. How I don't think they will take a 2nd look at me as I don't know anything about law. What Dan said to me........they are not looking for someone who knows law. They are looking for a front desk person. Someone to greet people. Someone to manage their office. Dan knew what to say to make me feel better. <insert deep sigh here>
I really liked the people that work at the firm. I can see myself there. I just hope they can see me there. Getting this job would be the first step in my new chapter. I can only hope.
Another page I turned to begin to protect myself......I am opening a checking account in my name only. Just in case.
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