I got a job interview for a job I can't afford to take.
Sigh. I know that sounds quite defeatist. This is for a national program training recent grads to be better at public outreach for environmental causes. The pay is slightly less than I make now, and the commitment is two years, and the actual job isn't actually what I want to do. I imagine it is something Kelsey's classmates might be better qualified to do (write press releases, host media events, contact constituents, Mobilize the Membership), and for the rest of us, there is a two year internship program. It takes no advantage of my science background or training, and certainly puts me on a path to long-term non-profit work (not using my degree). That's pretty much not what I want at all. I learned all this already when I met them at the career fair, but since I had prepared a special resume just for this job, I figured I should leave it with them.
The general atmosphere, I like. The cause (the environment), I care about. The location may be up to my choosing anywhere in the US. I've already made up my mind to go as far with any application process as possible before rejecting the opportunity, because I need the practice. Even though I'm quite confident I don't want this job, I'm REALLY nervous about it. And I haven't even set up the appointment yet. I'm slightly worried in this case I'll find it hard to say no when the time is right. For now, that can be Matt's role. I'll just focus on knocking their socks off, so I can feel uber righteous when *I* reject *them.*
In the meantime- what happens at an interview? Now soliciting all forms of advice for round two of the job hunt.
1 comment:
I think this sort of exploration is a good strategy: you'll get a sense of what the interview process is like, what people are looking for at different steps in the process, etc.
First steps are always going to be a screening of sorts (for both parties, as you discovered!) Follow-ups are a bit more rigorous, but they don't always involve a day's training in Philadelphia. :)
Keep at it, and I'll bet something that does take advantage of your degree may well turn up.
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