A couple of weeks ago I had an interview for a job at a local medical office. The position was for referral coordinator. I’ve never done that particular job but I do have 5 years of medical experience, both clerical and in direct patient care. I thought that I was perfectly qualified for the job although I did need to be taught to use the computer system they use. Alas, I was told I wasn’t qualified but furthermore, I was told that my chances of actually even having a proper interview were pretty much zero since I haven’t worked in nearly 4 years AND couldn’t provide references.
I was driving past the local Red Lobster being built (fullt built now I guess) and I saw that they were hiring. I had been thinking about applying so I went today. I could only pick one position to apply for so I picked hostess thinking it would be a good position for me since I’ve never waitressed, bartended, etc.
Well, turns out, I’m overqualified. I had an interview and I was told, in not so many words, that I was overqualified and she was basically concerned that they were going to hire me and I’d realize the job wasn’t challenging enough for me and I’d quit. I was also told that this position is a very entry level position that is usually given to young kids and that she was concerned I wouldn’t be able to cope with working with people with a much lower level of maturity and education than me. The pay was also an issue….for her. It was much lower than what I expected so she was concerned I was lowering my standards only because I needed the job. Well, I don’t NEED a job but agreed, the pay isn’t what I expected. The fact that I haven’t worked in so long also came up. So in a nutshell, I don’t have high hopes for this job.
The thing is, I’m almost positive that if I had applied for a managerial position, a position I am confident I can take on with the proper training, I would have been told I wasn’t qualified. So my question is, WHAT exactly am I qualified for? What is a good in-between? Someone tell me because at this point I just feel like I’m doomed either way. How, exactly, can I win? This is not the first time I deal with this, I had the same problems in the UK.
As for the 4 years off work, excuse me for wanting to take time off after giving 5 years of my life in service of a country I love more than my own. Excuse me for wanting to go to college and get an education. Excuse me for wanting to have a child and give him my time. Excuse me for doing what I thought was best for my family. How dare I not live to work?
Needless to say, I’m not a happy camper right now.
Disclaimer: If you are a local Red Lobster hiring team member, take the good lessons from my post and ignore the rest…nothing personal! 😛
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