As you may remember, I have quite the history with interviews. If I could, I would be a professional interviewer. Like as a career. I would wear a pencil skirt, scary square framed glasses and intimidating high heels to show I was in charge. Maybe it is a desire of mine to feel in control and boss like...this has always been a secret dream of mine.....secrets out.
Friday I found myself on the other end of this dream. Would that make it a nightmare? I have been putting my feelers out there. You know, seeing what the Dental Assisting market is like. After communicating with some chick from a Sandy dental clinic I found myself in an uncomfortable chair in a small office room. I wasn't nervous which seemed weird to me. Anxiety and an uneasy stomach usually means I know that I need to put my A-Game on and perform. Instead I sat down and started stuttering. I was asked to tell a little about myself, what came out was that I was married (who cares?) and that I lived in Taylorsville (another unnecessary fact). I told her I was graduating soon and was ready to start my "career".
After I finished that cherry of a line she started talking....and talking.....and talking some more. Not once was I asked my extent of my education or knowledge of any procedure. I could have come off the street for all she knows. Instead I think she was under the assumption that I had at least a bachelors. What follows are a couple of red flags that led me to the conclusion that this job wasn't going to be a right fit...like at all. Like as bad a fit as skinny jeans on a chubster after Thanksgiving dinner. Picture it....ahh see? Not good.
"The schedule isn't a set schedule. Every week you will fight for hours with the 2 other assistants."
-key word is fight. Hmmmm doesn't that sound lovely.
"Uneducated employees would start at $8.50, because you are educated you would start at $9.50."
-Glad I spent $3000 on this course (: I might as well stay at my current job for that pay.
"We do not do amalgam fillings. Due to a lawsuit (a patients tooth split open), we no longer fill teeth with amalgam but fill with white composite now. That was a good question. I am glad you brought that up this early. We will never speak of this again."
-Does that seem sketchy to anyone else? Amalgam is as taboo as Voldemort is to the wizarding world.
"Okay well I have you set up for a working interview on Monday. Come in your scrubs and work for 4-5 hours. I won't be here so just work a couple of hours and let me know if you want the job or not."
-uhhh what? I can barely do a filling! You don't even know what I am capable of doing....aka killing! Do I get a babysitter to watch me? Needless to say I left the parking lot and took a good 2-3 thought provoking minutes and decided it wasn't going to work. She told me twice that they were at half staff and I completely felt like they just needed a body to cover the shifts. I am not that person. I still have a lot to learn and I want a clinic that will train me...not just throw me in a chair and hope that I figure things out. Nope...won't do it.
It was a huge learning experience and the dentist I am working under thoroughly enjoyed my story. Next time around I am going to let the interviewee understand that I have a lot to learn but at the same time I am a quick learner and very adaptable. That way I am not thrown into things to quickly. The thought of a job as a dental assistant is horrifying but I know that I will be fine if I can just find the right place.
This was fun (big pile of sarcasm) but I think I will stop searching for jobs until after the holidays. I need a freaking break. I need life to slow down. I need a bottle of nyquil and a day to just sleep it off.
4 comments:
Wow!! Your stories are seriously so funny! :) I don't know if I've told you but I assisted for 5 years before I had my babies and loved it! You'll find a job the perfect job for you. Good luck!
Doesn't it make you wonder how these places stay in business? I don't think I'd want to go to a dentist who just throws his assistants in. That sounds so sketchy!
Sounds like it was a good learning experience. I definitely wouldnt want to work in an office like that. There are lots of other offices out there, dont settle for just anyone.
Love your stories! I'm sure I love to hear your experiences more than you like having them. Good luck in finding the perfect job!
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