Friday, September 22, 2006

Big decisions

I haven't posted in a few weeks because things have been pretty crazy at work and at home. However, now I face the real possibility of moving to Oregon in a few weeks. To update everyone, Wah-Wah seems to really want to move, I however am not sure. Things are starting to move along however. Wah-Wah got a call from a professor in Portland at OSHU and is really interested in hiring her. He is even willing to fly her out on Oct 6 for a interview. I figure most companies don't pay to fly you to a interview unless they are serious. The professor said that Wah-Wah is a strong candidate and could almost guarantee a better salary than what she is making now. Her position is working with AIDS and monkey tissue. I'm not sure if there is a moral dilemma here, but Wah-Wah doesn't seem to think so. I guess that's a step up from working with the bird flu. Anyway, Wah-Wah is really excited about this and really wants to move.
I, on the other hand don't think life is that bad here in KC. Sure I don't have the greatest job in the world, but I don't hate it either. We've been here for almost seven years now.
Last week I interviewed with Columbia Mental Health over the phone. It was a second interview with them but the first regarding a QA position. I was pretty sure that I bombed it, however much to my surprise, I received a call today that they would like me to come in for another interview for either a QA position or a crisis CM position. Unfortunately, they didn't offer to pay for my flight (most nonprofit organizations wouldn't). Columbia Mental Health is in St. Helen which is about 20 or 30 miles outside of Portland (that's not too bad considering I drive 3x that working for Comprehensive each day).
I'll be flying to Portland a few days before Wah-Wah. I intend to go get a new suit and maybe get some interview coaching in (since I hate interviewing). This might be a good job opportunity. However being the pessimist I am, I'm looking at all the complications moving across the country means. Honestly, I feel torn. I've been praying about it a lot and wonder if this is what is meant to be

Monday, September 04, 2006

Phone interview

Last Friday I had a phone interview with Columbia Mental Health in Astoria Oregon. I'd like to say that it went well, but it didn't. I've never done a phone interview before, and I hope I don't have to any time soon. I was put on speaker phone and I could barely hear what I was being asked. I must have asked them to repeat each question twice. Come to think of it, I might not have answered the questions that were even asked. Another thing, I learned about phone interviews is that you can't tell when the interviewer is writing or listening. This caused a lot of awkward silences between questions.
I have to say that I hate interviews and I'm not too good at them. This whole experience reminded me of last year when it took me 3 months to find a job. I did a lot of interviews, but I didn't get a lot of offers. I got so tired of being turned down for jobs that I was qualified for. The truth to me is that interviewing is all about being in the right place at the right time.
Anyway, the interview lasted about an hour and I got the usual "we'll call you when we know something" speech. This wasn't my dream job anyway and honestly I didn't want to live in Astoria. My plan for now is to apply at Oregon DHS office and hopefully end up in Portland. If not, then we'll stay here.
It's pretty discouraging being a pessimistic when looking for work.