I have a job interview!

[rbnyc]

I love my current job, however, due to the constraints of working within a gigantic hospital bureaucracy, my organization was only able to hire me through the union. I love unions, however, the union salary is much lower than I need to earn, and my Executive Director is unable to give me a raise, or to even supplement my income with bonuses so that I can afford to stay on.

I have reduced to a part-time schedule so my husband can work full-time, since he earns more than I do, but have found that working part time, I am doing the same amount of work, just in fewer hours for less pay.

So I have begun to send out my resume. So far I have applied for 2 positions. One is my dream job, working in the Development Department for Bard College. I would love to move my family to the area. However, the job had actually been filled long before I applied. My resume did indeed remind them to update their website.

The second job I applied for is Director of Fund Development and Communications for the YMCA in my neighborhood.

I applied for this job because I would be honored to do work that directly benefits families in my neighborhood. They have daycare on premises. It is only a few blocks from my house, so no more hour and a half commute( and it will save me $20/week paying for the subway.) It is a vertical move in my field. And it pays 15K per year more than I was earning when I worked full-time in my current position.

I sent my cover letter and resume last week. I will be going for an interview next Tuesday.

I'm very excited.

I am confident that if this job is truly the right fit for me, I will get it.

I have 2 disadvantages. I only have 5 years of Development experience. I think most Directors have much more. And I only speak English. It was not specified in the outlined requirements that I speak a second language, but they did say that it would be a plus, and my neighborhood is about 80% Polish.

I will have to demonstrate something that will edge out a bilingual candidate with more experience.

What is that something?

EDIT: typo

[swag]

1. Congratulations.

Show 'em what you got.

[rbnyc]

2. Thanks.

It's been a long time since I had to go out on interviews. But I generally find it to be fun and exciting, and I'm pretty good at it.

[Book Lover]

3. You can start learning Polish

Speak to someone at the church about lessons, maybe? Showing willingness goes a long way.

Many congrats and best of luck!

[rbnyc]

5. My landlords are Polish.

It's sad I haven't picked some up already. I could ask them how to say some key phrases for the interview.

:)

Thanks!

[LynneSin]

4. Tell them you're friends with LynneSin

that'll get the job anytime!!

[rbnyc]

6. Alright!

That's what I'll do.

I'm as good as in!

[LynneSin]

7. You could put me down as a reference

I just know I could think up of some whimsical stories from our time in Washington DC!!

[GOPisEvil]

8. Good luck with your interview!

I've got to get back into that ballgame soon myself. I'm dreading it, but unless I win the lottery, I gotta work. x(

[rbnyc]

14. Thanks. (nt)

[cassandra uprising]

9. Dazzle them with your fabulousity?

For as naive as this sounds, I'm a think that if you want something bad enough that you'll make it happen. Sign up for some Polish speaking classes and show them that you really want this job. Break legs!

[lizziegrace]

10. Good luck!

:hi:

[GalleryGod]

11. Ursula and I wish you the best of luck

We'll take you to the Stork Club to celebrate:party:

[rbnyc]

15. Awesome! (nt)

[Metta]

12. Demonstrated ablility to get things done.

Meeting professional goals, real life benefits of self efforts in other areas, good health, charm and readily available professional peer references. Also coming in as spiffily shined as you can manage without having any ego on it. That'll have them sitting up and taking notice. :hi: :)

[rbnyc]

13. Thanks.

I am very lucky to have an excellent fundraising record. All of my fundraising initiatives have surpassed projections. And since I became involved in Development for my current employer, we have gone from rubbing a deficit to running a gigantic surplus.

Honestly, I'm really worried about what to wear. I don't have an actual suit, and I won't be able to afford to get one. I've always worked in a casual environment.

[Metta]

16. Looking good.

Kudos on the fundraising. Organizations like to hear about surplus money. I presume you're coming in non-profits at least currently hence not having a suit. I wouldn't sweat it. Can you pick up a sport jacket you like? Maybe rent one or a suit? If you're all but jacketed, then that's a perfectly acceptable piece of information to put out there during the interview.

I think that as long as you look good and you present your work in an upbeat, low key way that's within your range of best representing yourself, you have nothing to worry about unless you're totally outclassed by the competition in which case, it's out of your hands.

[rbnyc]

22. I have a black velvet jacket and a grey silk blouse...

...black pin-striped slacks and low black pumps. I think that's the best I can pull together. That's my major-donor meeting outfit. ;-)

[Metta]

32. That sounds stunning.

Are you planning on any accents? Also, I know you're excited, anxious and eager because this means more validation for you and increased freedom and well being for you and your family. Will you be doing any visualizations, chants or rituals to set your mood or bring this to you?

[rbnyc]

34. visualization has worked well for me...

...in the past. I should do that. Otherwise I just pray (to the unknowable forces of the universe) that the right door will open for me and that I will walk through it.

Thanks!

Do you think I should break out the heirloom pearls?

[Metta]

36. Go for it.

I wholeheartedly support your efforts towards visualizations and prayer. Re: the pearls, I'd try them on after I've dressed and see what my reactions are.

[Orangepeel]

18. maybe you can borrow a suit from somebody?

if this is a job you really want, I wouldn't blow that off. Even if they don't care what you wear everyday, looking the part of an interviewee is important to a lot of people because it shows that you know what is appropriate.

But congrats and good luck!

[rbnyc]

25. Hi orangepeel!

I haven't seen you in a while!

I don't have a lot of friends my size. :( But I think I can pull it together.

Thanks!

[Orangepeel]

26. I'm sure you'll look fine

you just need to look polished and professional and I'm sure you will. Good luck! :hi:

[Gormy Cuss]

19. Identify some interview clothing.

Look at what you have and if you're not happy with the selection try to borrow from a friend.
It doesn't need to be a suit, but wearing a jacket is the easiest way to crisp up your look. Alternatively, a structured cardigan over a shell can be a good look. Whatever you choose, make sure it feels comfortable. You will project more confidence if your outfit makes you feel "put together," whether that's through jewelry, or scarves, or a belt and shoes.

Good luck. It sounds like this would be a great move for you (too bad about the Bard job.:-( )

[rbnyc]

21. Thanks.

Good advice.

Maybe we're meant to stay in Brooklyn for another couple years. I will be keeping my eye on Bard.

[southlandshari]

17. That's great!

I have some info I'd like to send you that might help with the interview, if you like. Just send me a PM if you want some additional ammo!!

:hug:

[graywarrior]

20. Hey, that sounds great!

I just got hired by a non-profit that services the disabled. Just got my new title: PR & Marketing Director. Funny, last year I was isolating and ready to shoot myself.

[southlandshari]

23. Hey! I've been meaning to ask

how the new job was going.

So......tell all!


:hi:

[graywarrior]

28. Well, the best thing about it is that I created my own job

Because I'm good at creating newsletters, especially to raise money, and I know web design and can schmooze with the muck-a-mucks (ex-conman experience ha ha), I managed to get some funding for them that they really needed.

I also recruited someone to leave his present job and develop a money making program for my organization. The program he is leaving raises over a million bucks yearly and is easilty transferrable to another agency.

The downside is that I have to deal with a lot of politicians, and here in Florida, you know what that means. Next week I need to contact Katherine's office. Should be interesting.

My ex. dir is a fundy, but I like him. Everyone else in the agency are hard core dems. In fact, one person who worked there told me today that her mom knows me from DU.

So, I LOVE my job, and thank you for asking.

[southlandshari]

30. That is awesome!!

:woohoo:

I am very, very happy for you. And thankful to you for sharing with us along the way - I love people and stories that give us all hope that meaningful work is out there if you look - and you make your own opportunities whenever you see an open door!

:thumbsup:

[graywarrior]

31. True

True true true.

[rbnyc]

24. aside from the gap in pay...

...working for non-profits is wonderful. They attract great people.

[Lavender Brown]

27. I wish I knew the answer to that question.

I have an interview tomorrow, and I know there are a lot of other applicants. I'm just hoping to present myself as well as I can. :)

Good luck, rbnyc. I hope you get it! :hi:

[rbnyc]

29. Good luck to you too.

Let us know how it goes.

[Metta]

33. Jumping the gun.

Polish Phrase Book Pocket-sized edition. 128 pages $ 1.99. Available from: http://www.berkshirerecordoutlet.com/ :)

[rbnyc]

35. I should have that anyway...

...just being in this neighborhood. Thanks.