I had a very strange afternoon.
On Tuesday, I went for a job interview at PHH, which is a residential treatment facility for teens with a history of trauma or abuse. They were advertising for an "assistant parent teacher" and I had no idea what that meant. I submitted my resume and my reference letters, and they called me the next day and asked me to come in for an interview. So, on Tuesday, I donned my black, wide-leg slacks, and a salmon coloured sequined top, put on a white open-front cardigan, the kind with no buttons, but with the drapey look at the front.
I went to the interview, and it went very well. The CEO interviewed me, as well as a Parent Teacher with the program. Basically, the company has a handful of "foster homes" that provide group living situations for these kids who have had a tough time so far in their lives. They teach them life skills, help them with school work, and try to create a positive family environment. They needed someone to help the couple who is the main parenting family for a group of 5 boys with histories of sexual assault. Someone to help with homework, make dinner, etc. The problem was that they needed someone to work from 1pm-9pm on Mon Wed and Fri, and 8am-8pm every other Saturday and Sunday. No can do.
So today they called me back in, and I wasn't sure what they were going to say. I had told them I couldn't accept the position I interviewed for, due to the strange hours and my small children.
So today, the CEO brought me into her office, and said "I'm going to give you some constructive criticism." uhm? "Uh oh.." I told her. She said "You need to work on your costuming, and I want to help you. I think the reason you haven't been hired in the schools is that you are not very polished, and you don't come across as a professional. How old are you?" "...28...." "You're very young for your age. How old do you think I am? Guess." "...uhh... 43?" "You're brilliant, that's a perfect answer. But I'm 67." "NO WAY!" She goes on to tell me that she thinks I'm an amazing person, with a great personality and attitude, with a lot of potential. She says that she thinks "some day" I will be an awesome teacher. Uhm.. well.. thank you, I suppose?
Basically, she proposes taking me on as her personal assistant in the mornings (from 8-1) and then having me teach the kids a Life Skills class from 2-5pm. She says that she wants to train me to do most of the interaction with the kids' schools, so that I'd be the PHH representative going down to the schools when there's problems. She said this would give me a lot of experience that I will need to get hired with the district, and that she is going to personally "groom me" into a professional.
Part of me wanted to cry. Was I really THAT bad?! What was wrong with what I had on Tuesday?! Today, I dressed down significantly, because I had seen that on Tuesday, everyone was wearing jeans and just long sleeve tops. So today, I wore black capri slacks and a yellow and white striped blouse. More casual, but still looked nice. I felt stupid as soon as she mentioned attire, because I had definitely dressed down today vs Tuesday. She said that for a 2nd interview, I should have been MORE dressed up than I was on Tuesday. OH! I didn't know that... but okay. I asked her what she wanted me to wear, because I have no idea what was wrong with Tuesday's outfit.. she said that black slacks or khakis would be fine, and that I needed to go "buy tops that fit." OUCH! Thanks, lady! YOW!
Apparently she felt that my shirt was unprofessional because I have the TINIEST amount of cleavage in it. Probably same goes for the shirt I had on Tuesday. But honest to god, I don't OWN anything that doesn't have cleavage. I have a LOT of chest going on. I cant wear button up shirts, because the gaps between the buttons strain and pucker and come open. If I wear anything with a really high neckline, I look like a circus tent, because I have HUGE BOOBS.
I feel slightly attacked, but also slightly flattered.. she liked me so much after the one meeting, that she decided to basically take me on as a personal project, and "help me" get polished up and "become a professional." I told her I appreciated her input and the positive comments. What could I say?? No way, can't work for someone who doesn't believe in cleavage! ?? Obviously not. She asked me how much money I needed to be happy. I told her that if I worked as a sub, I'd be making $18/hr, but that I needed something more steady than sub work. I told her I would accept $16, and she talked me down to $14.50/hr. She told me that usually, for this kind of position, she would start someone out at $13/hr. She said that in 6 months, we could re-evaluate my pay rate.
I honestly have no idea what to expect now. I hope I don't let her down.. she apparently saw something in me that made her forget what I was wearing, so I guess that's a compliment? At this point, I just need ANY steady work with a decent pay rate. So, now I have it.
~Me
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