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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsI need help with an interview talking point that I know they will ask.
My entire career (except I have a music degree and a songwriter side thing, which is irrelevant here)
has been as an admin, reception...I've done everything plus I'm microsoft certified in Word, and could be in Excel if I took the time..
so that gives you a little bit of my background. I also did 2.5 years in recruiting before the economy tanked so I'm good with the resume thing and I know how to interview...he's the deal though:
Without going into the long explanation why...other than it was what I could find at the time (mostly true, but other reasons as well),
I've been working as a preschool teacher with 0-5 kids for the last 2.5 years. I love working with the kids and it was nice not working in a cube for once and there are other good aspects to the job. But the physical part of it is really getting to me. I'm only 40 and I've never had some of the problems I've been having physically. Plus we are expected (even though they don't say it directly and won't...but it's implied and expected) to do some of our own administrative work at home. We are given only two hours a week, and it's just not enough time. I probably spend at least 4-10 hours a week working on lesson plans and putting in observations or working on things for the class room with my own printer and ink, etc.... I can't say whom I work for but it's not a private school or ISD, and I'm not going to be able to change the system. What I can do is get off my feet at the same location with a desk job instead.
There is an position open at the front desk, it's an admin job. I worked for 2 years part time until I could get on full time as a teacher. I had interviewed for the desk position in August, but someone else got it...then I interviewed for an open full time teacher slot in September and landed it. They pay the same, by the way...I just need off my feet and don't want to work off the clock.
This front desk position opened unexpectedly. I will be submitting my resume, and I will probably get called for an interview.
It's possible they won't interview me, but I think they probably will...
anyway, if you've read this far...my question is this:
They will probably ask why I'm interviewing for the desk job since I've only been full time for 6 months.
I got the health care I needed with the full time teaching slot...but now I need off my feet.
I know (duh) that I won't be telling them I need to get off my feet.
So, I know they know I interviewed before because they are the ones that interviewed me...
so they know there is some interest in the front desk spot....
but what should I tell them, in answer to their question, in why do I want the front desk job.
Duer 157099
(17,742 posts)your real passion is in organizing things and making things efficient for grown ups?
I'd say that and mean it. Good luck!
elleng
(131,126 posts)like overview of the school, ability to do x, y, or z, stuff like that.
edit: Duer said it, first!!!
Break a leg!
Generic Brad
(14,275 posts)It sounds to me as though you feel that with your experience that the administration job is a better fit and you think you could make more of a positive impact for the school.
talkingmime
(2,173 posts)My wife does the same sort of work that you're doing now and she's on her feet all day. Plus, she walks to work most days, walks back for break, and usually walks back down and home for the afternoon. Sometimes she takes a car, but not usually. During the summer she bikes. She's on her feet all day and coworkers ask why she never sits down.
Just tell them the truth - standing up all day is a pain in the feet. It sounds like you've already proven yourself as an employee, landing the full-time teaching position is a testament to that. I'm assuming you know the management here so it isn't like you're trying to prove yourself to another company. Keep your head high and tell it like it is. I'd wish you good luck, but I don't think you need it.
union_maid
(3,502 posts)you love, love, love working for whatever organization it is you're working for, but you believe your core competency is in adminstration, so when the opportunity arose to both work for this wonderul organization and return to administration, you felt compelled to applyl. And good lucki!
RILib
(862 posts)As you've already noted, telling them the physical aspects of the teaching job are causing you problems is not the way to go, since that may cause you to lose that job if things get tight since it sounds like you might not be capable eventually.
I'd emphasize the attractions, whatever the are, of the admin position. As someone else mentioned, organization, etc. I like to organize stuff myself.
If that isn't enough, I might also mention the amount of outside time the teaching job is taking, in some non-complaining way. I had an hourly job that required a lot of outside time that wasn't paid, so it's reasonable to bring that up.