Can there be a thing as too much experience?
Back from my interview and relaxing. It went about half an hour longer than expected, but I was told from would-be coworkers afterward that it going that long was a "very good sign" so I can't complain.
That said, while I felt the interview went generally well, the last question by the person leading the interview panel (who happened to be the Director of essentially the entire student affairs, recruitment, etc. department) was a bit unfortunate. She asked me why, with "such an impressive resumé and at such high levels of interaction", was I applying for an Admissions and Recruitment officer position. I gave as good a response as I could, but it was frustrating to get hit with that. Yes the position would be a (considerable) pay drop. Yes I would not be at a level whereby I could have as much effect on policy and organisational development. But it has other qualities to it that I would really truly enjoy. And it's not like I wouldn't ultimately move on, or more likely upward!
But to have my previous experience -- which I could tell from the panel's questions and interactions excited them to the possibility -- thrown in my face as a potential negative from my side, expecting me to move on at a drop of a hat... well, that was unfortunate. I suppose I can understand their worries, but over a decade ago I found myself in a similar position, where no one would hire me because of my experience.
It finally came down to my essentially begging someone -- after he had stated he didn't think I'd stay and was consequently not going to hire me -- to take me and I'd promise a year. After all, you've got to earn money to pay bills, eh? And so I ended that spate. Now I'm faced with the situation again. Unfortunately begging for a position won't look good, especially for the types of jobs I'm now applying. *chuckle* *shrug*
We'll see what happens. They're going to make a decision within the next 24 hours, so one way or another I'll know soon. But as they're making their decision, I hope they consider my experience for what it can offer them, and not as a time clock ticking down to when I would leave. One's a choice of possibilities; the other a choice of fear. And frankly there are just too many decisions being made nowadays out of fear; it would be nice for something else for once.
That said, while I felt the interview went generally well, the last question by the person leading the interview panel (who happened to be the Director of essentially the entire student affairs, recruitment, etc. department) was a bit unfortunate. She asked me why, with "such an impressive resumé and at such high levels of interaction", was I applying for an Admissions and Recruitment officer position. I gave as good a response as I could, but it was frustrating to get hit with that. Yes the position would be a (considerable) pay drop. Yes I would not be at a level whereby I could have as much effect on policy and organisational development. But it has other qualities to it that I would really truly enjoy. And it's not like I wouldn't ultimately move on, or more likely upward!
But to have my previous experience -- which I could tell from the panel's questions and interactions excited them to the possibility -- thrown in my face as a potential negative from my side, expecting me to move on at a drop of a hat... well, that was unfortunate. I suppose I can understand their worries, but over a decade ago I found myself in a similar position, where no one would hire me because of my experience.
It finally came down to my essentially begging someone -- after he had stated he didn't think I'd stay and was consequently not going to hire me -- to take me and I'd promise a year. After all, you've got to earn money to pay bills, eh? And so I ended that spate. Now I'm faced with the situation again. Unfortunately begging for a position won't look good, especially for the types of jobs I'm now applying. *chuckle* *shrug*
We'll see what happens. They're going to make a decision within the next 24 hours, so one way or another I'll know soon. But as they're making their decision, I hope they consider my experience for what it can offer them, and not as a time clock ticking down to when I would leave. One's a choice of possibilities; the other a choice of fear. And frankly there are just too many decisions being made nowadays out of fear; it would be nice for something else for once.