A lifetime of office/theatre admin work has made me want a real change. After caring for my father for a few years at our French house and enjoying the interaction, I've decided that I now want to move into geriatric care. I like the thought of being in a retirement home environment, especially one of those imposing old buildings set in beautiful countryside. It's not for everyone, but I still remember taking my father to the home where he ended his days, in Hampstead near the heath and how capable and efficient the staff were - I went there dreading it (I'd sorted it all out sight unseen from France) and came away reassured and happy that he was in good hands
I want to be a pair of those 'good hands' and yesterday I went for an interview as a care assistant in a fantastic building in Tunbridge Wells. It dated back to 1606 and it was like a stately home. After being greeted by a cute little dog and a couple of cats and a warm welcome from residents and staff my interview took place in the picturesque garden. It was when they began asking me about my experience as a cleaner that I realised a mistake had been made. I'd sent my CV in on spec and had even put 'Care Assistant application' in the subject heading - but somehow that had been missed. A Domestic was needed and it was assumed I had applied for that.
I could have kissed the charming elderly man (some of the residents sat in on the interview) who told me I looked more like someone in the management team down from head office than I did a cleaner. Oh well - I've got another interview today - let's hope it's not for a cook or something.
16 comments:
Dear FF, sounds a bit like an episode from Fawlty Towers! (I mean that in the nicest possible way since FT's still one of my all-time favourites!)
Bonne chance a la prochaine,
XX Lola & Nora:)
Don't knock it - I worked as a cleaner in a nursing home for 10 years in my 20's and it is one of the happiest periods of my life. Totally stress free and the hours left me lots of time to write.
I must say that I think I could work at a nice nursing home. Not as a cleaner since I'm hopeless at cleaning, but the facility where my MIL resides is so cheerful and upbeat
and one would feel one was being helpful!
Good luck with the job hunt!
Let's hope someone can read, this time!
Good luck...and if turns out to be cooking, you just have to say
'I come from France....everyone eats McDonalds....'
When I was in college I worked in a nursing home. Can't say it was enjoyable - eye opening yes - but the home's residents were everything from totally passive to full blown crazy. And the variety of patients - never moving stroke victims and many oldsters who were clueless about where they were, sitting in their rooms talking to ghosts.
One little guy would come to the front desk every evening and want to trade his dentures for a bed ti sleep in - every night.
The experience left a lasting impression that's for certain.
Breaking news!
Congrats!
Best of luck in your new employment!
That's exactly how I ended up cooking for a living - I went for a job as a barmaid and the interviewers hadn't bothered to read my cv.
I went along with them - cooking was better paid (I was 18 and could do 'anything')and it launched my first proper career trajectory.
In my experience most people don't read anything properly these days. I spent years sending out letters to parents about outings when I was on the play school committee and they still came and asked how much it was/what was the date etc. You wonder why you bother! Congratulations but hope you find the job you want soon.
Hehehehe, at least you got offered the job :-)
You, my lovely, will make an absolutely brilliant care assistant!! I deal with quite a few in my line of work and I just know that with your personality you will have a job in next to no time! (one you want that is!)
C x
Ah well, sounds like a charming job interview. But don't keep us in suspense... WHAT is the job that you've been offered? Please tell us more!
Well, if you're going to have a misadventure, best that it not be something related to getting hurt.
I'm sure you'd make a great employee at Fawlty Towers! Or maybe something in movie production.
Thanks for all your comments, my band of trusty closest bloggers - I'm not going to do individual replies - I'd rather save the online time to come and visit your own blogs.
One of my first bits of expenditure when I have monthly money going into my account is to get a proper online set-up. I hate limiting myself like this - and because I keep having to input monthly top-ups it is working out more than if we'd just gone for a proper fixed subscription
Congratulations! Was it the care assistant job you got?
Keep persevere...my dear. The right job will come to you. In life and work, one can get more rejections than acceptance unless you are Alan Sugar!
Well done on securing the job you've been looking for, please do look out for your back, FF, and don't do too much...
I know you don't need me to tell you that! ;) xox
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