My degree helped!! I have a job interview.

[Lindagerr]

I am so excited and scared:eek:. I have a phone job interview tomorrow. Since it is so difficult for me to get a teacher certification up here in NY I have decided to look for a laboratory job. There is a company very close by that I applied to over a month ago. I thought they decided I wasn't interesting, but they called today and set up a phone interview for tomorrow. I have not had a job interview for the science field in over 20 years. I worked for the same companies for the last 20 years. I have over 30 years of lab experience, but I am out of date.

My degree made all the difference I am sure, the job posting required a minimum of a Bachelors degree. This is a Biotech company that is also involved in the environmental area so my AAS in ESST might have also helped.

So I could use some advice. I have looked up the company it is huge and covers many areas, I am not sure what areas are covered in this location. How do I sound knowledgeable about the company when it is so diverse? I am also kind of rusty on some of the techniques and instrumentation they would want me to run. Should I be honest and tell them I am rusty, but I am a fast learner? Or should I try to emphasize the varity of instrumentation I have worked on previously? I am asking these questions in a general way. Some of you do hirering and some of you have recently gotten jobs so Please Help!!!

[sanantone]

Good luck! I have sort of a funny story. I applied to an entry-level, lab-type position with a water utility company. They required that you demonstrate that you have some sort of science background on your application like a degree or science courses. I figured the AAS in Environmental, Safety, and Security Technologies would be enough to trick them. While the AAS can include science courses, mine included criminal justice and FEMA credits. I think an environmental science course might have been in there too. However, I got a rejection email saying that I didn't demonstrate that I had the proper background. If there is ever another opening for that position, I will be sure to list all of the science courses I've taken and recently tested out of. My assumption is that most employers don't know what to think of that AAS.

[Lindagerr]

Thank you Sanantone. I just did the AAS to put the buzz words on my resume. Natural sciences is kind of vague on my BA. The first line of the add says "Candidate must be able to work independently, as well as on teams with the Cell Culture, Analytical Chemistry, Microbiology, Environmental and Incoming Quality Control laboratories." I know very little about Cell culture or Microbiology so with Environmental I have 3 of the 5 they mention hopefully that will be enough. My AAS was finished with criminal Justice and FEMA too. But I do have 9 Enviro credits TESC's Global change and the Race to save the planet exam. So I am an Environmental expert:roflol:, NOT. Since this is a position only slightly above entry level I may be able to talk my way through, but now that you mention it I think I will try to drop the point that I have 45 Science credits into the conversation.

I have spent hours online looking at the companies website, Linked in and Facebook pages. Hopefully I have learned enough of their Buzz words to get past this interview. It is funny before they called I was thinking I didn't really want a full time job. Now that the possibility is there I really want it and have put more reasons in the pro column. Send me good vibes at 1PM Eastern time. When I get nervous I tend to forget important words and talk to much, and I am really nervous. I have about 6 hours to feel more competent or just get myself to Chill!

[sanantone]

I will try to remember to send those positive vibes your way around noon CST. I get nervous during interviews too.

[Lindagerr]

Well I did it I made it through the interview without making any major mistakes. My son walking into the room during the conversation ( I HAD warned him to stay out he forgot) was a little distracting).
I spent all night and morning (I couldn't sleep) Refreshing myself on the company and what they do, then refreshing myself on what I did in the lab over the past 30 years. The interview was more a get to know me can I work with the team kind of thing, but I think I will make it to the next level from what she said.

I was surprised at how easy the buzz words, self promotion and BS came back after many years of downplaying it in the teaching world. This was a job where you needded to be a team player, but individual initiative and self motivation were also important. I pointed out how doing my degree online called for a great deal of self motivation.

[LaterBloomer]

Way to go. Since I've never had a telephone interview, I would have been shaking in my shoes. (Which is okay, since they can't see them.) Unfortunately, I would have babbled like a brook. I'm glad that you did so well. My fingers are crossed that you get to the next level. Let us know what's going on.

[cookderosa]

oh my gosh, I just wanted to tell you CONGRATULATION!!!!! This is amazing news, I'm so very happy for you

[Lindagerr]

Thank you Jennifer but don't get to excited this was just a phone interview but I got past the resume screening and today went well. So I just might get the real interview. Of course I don't know what to wear or how to do my hair or how I will ever make it without having a fit of nerves. :willynilly:

I just keep trying to tell myself it doesn't matter I am not sure I even want to work full time. But the pocketbook, the retirement plans and my loneliness here in western NY all say Go For It!!!

[cookderosa]

Thank you Jennifer but don't get to excited this was just a phone interview but I got past the resume screening and today went well. So I just might get the real interview. Of course I don't know what to wear or how to do my hair or how I will ever make it without having a fit of nerves. :willynilly:

I just keep trying to tell myself it doesn't matter I am not sure I even want to work full time. But the pocketbook, the retirement plans and my loneliness here in western NY all say Go For It!!!

Yes- we are in the same boat. I'm also taking a kitchen job, it's not in stone yet, but it will be a way to get some extra money-plunk $ into a non-existent retirement fund and meet some people.

[Lindagerr]

Update I was e-mailed this morning asking for three references, then asked to fill out a application type form for background info. Then later I received an appointment for an interview. It was like someone had decided I was going to the next level and had forgotten to tell me.

So now while I entertain my 2 neices I flew up to see Niagara Falls, and take to Darien Lake and a marathon session at the Galleria Mall; I had to think about what to wear give up and find and buy something. Now I need to live thru 2 more BUZY days then get up Thursday and do one more quick site seeing trip, come home get myself together and go be interviewed for 1 1/2 hrs. I tried to put the interview off until next week after the girls leave but they seem to need someone yesterday.

So I have my power suit and my daughter is going to do my hair in a powerful way. Now if my body and mind can just look powerful too. I may be so tired from all this site-seeing that I will just fall asleep during an interview.

I feel good about this job and am even getting a little excited about going back to full time work(haven't had a permanent full time job in 25 years). I just wish the company had better timing, they had my resume for over a month now everything is a rush.

Wish me luck as another IC/Big 3 success story.