So basically the first interview went great. She contacted me within 12 hours asking when a good time to set up the second interview would be. The second interview was scheduled for 2 days after the first (Thursday the 28th) with a manager at a different store. I drove 45 minutes away and was late to work just for this interview. It seemed to go really well and I, again, left feeling very positive. That night went by, heard nothing. "No big deal", I thought. "There's always tomorrow" and I closed my eyes and went to sleep. Woke up Friday lounged around and went to work. My phone was on loud all day and barely left my side. At around 7:30pm I received a call and voicemail from a number I didn't recognize. My heart was feeling so happy. Even though we were busy and I was basically working my zone by myself I decided to risk running to the bathroom and listening to the voicemail quickly to see if it was bad news or good news. It wasn't the news I was hoping for but it was... progressing news I guess you would say. A guy left me a message asking me to come in for the final 3rd interview and left me with directions to call him back and let him know what time was good on Monday or Tuesday. Quickly, I made sure my tables were satisfied and ran to the bathroom to give this guy a call back. Monday at 12noon it was.
All weekend I was feeling pretty hopeful. Three interviews has to mean something right? Why would she send me around for all these interviews if she didn't like me. I tried my hardest to stay as positive as possible all weekend long. Finally, It's Monday morning and I'm getting ready to head to my interview. This manager was so cool and so laid back and even told me that because I've already been put through two interviews at this point let's just "pretend we're chatting over coffee." Okay, no problem. He did say that I had to impress him in order to move on though so I put my big girl panties on and did my best. As we were walking back to the store or for me my car (we interviewed in the food court) he told me that he completely understood why the last two people to interview me liked me. I asked him if that was good and he said of course and assured me that 3 interviews means good things but that he wasn't the deciding manager so he couldn't tell me anything for sure. That was good enough for me. To know that they liked me and that I was "likely getting the job" gave me a huge feeling of confidence and I even said for the first time "I think I got the job" WHICH I NEVER SAY. EVER.
If you've been on interviews you know that they are sometimes so HARD to read. Sometimes what seems to go very very well winds up not being the job for you. Sometimes what seems to go just "okay" and you don't have any feeling towards it winds up being the job you get. About 2 weeks prior to getting a call from this prospective job I went on another interview for an Assistant Manager position at Hot Topic. The interview went SO well. The guy flat out told me that he liked me, liked what I had to say and would love to see me on the team. 24 hours after this interview I got a call that they were no longer going to be pursuing me. I cried. It had gone so well why didn't they want me on the team anymore? I was so confused. Turned out that they had already hired an entire management staff and they were looking for sales associates. They only said they were hiring management to entice people who are good at customer service (obviously) and have had more experience in sales. Which I had a feeling something was weird because he asked me during the phone interview and in-person interview if I would be interested in an associate position. To which I responded very profession and politely that it would depend on the hours I might be getting and my pay because I feel that I have more experience than the normal sales associate. He told me he was totally understanding of that and felt the same way. Obviously, they knew offering me 10hrs a week wouldn't satisfy me and probably hired some high school kid. But that's okay because I really didn't want a sales associate position. I am more qualified than that.
Anyways back on topic. I woke up to a voice mail yesterday from the lady at the first initial interview asking for references. So after three interviews now she wants references. Okay, no problem. Feeling a little annoyed that I still don't know if I have the job yet but fine I'll comply and hope this means good things. She supposedly called my references yesterday morning and I still have yet to hear anything from her. I know it's early still and I'd say if I hear nothing by tomorrow it means the inevitable but after waiting so long for that hopeful phone call and you just keep getting a "we need more" type call you start to feel discouraged. And that's basically how I'm feeling at this point.
I know that this isn't the end of the road and I know that if this isn't meant to be that there's something out there that IS but at this present time I'm just having a hard time understanding why. Why I try so hard and seemingly get no where? Why I'm just trying to find a place that respects me and values me and appreciates what I do but so far not getting anywhere.
I read a lot about trusting in God's timing and I have to say I've been pretty strong all week. I've been very "If it's meant to be it will be". But this patience and this wondering why is starting to get to me and I'm feeling weak.
Anyone have an positive stories that may not have started out very positive? I'd love to hear them. I need to feel some hope.
