Interviewing

I had my very first, real, grown up interview today!

I don't really count any of the interviews I've done before "real" because they have all been very low stress, non-professional interviews. Even my interview for PICU nursing was piece-o-cake b/c I already worked there as a nursing assistant.

But today was the real deal. And it went great!

I woke up extra early, put on my suit (which I'm hoping I never have to wear again...don't know how lawyers and pharmaceutical sales women do it!) and made it to my interview 45 minutes early. Yeah, bit of an overachiever apparently...but you never know how traffic may be!

And then I proceeded to talk for the next 3 1/2 hours. Which let me tell ya, that is a LONG time to talk! If I don't have to talk for the next 3 days, I'll be happy!

But that doesn't seem too likely since I'm working the next 2 days. Oh well!

I'm just glad it's done. I'm glad it went well. I'm glad mostly everyone I spoke to was very laid back. With the exception of one person, it was nice and easy questions. Only once did I feel like I was in the "hot seat" with rapid fire questioning. So I guess I have nothing to complain about.

Except the nylons. Who came UP with these things!? Yeah...I've definitely been spoiled with wearing scrubs to work every single day for my entire career. This is definitely going to be a change!

And while I'm talking about clothing, I just have to brag about my mad thrifting skills. In one of my last classes teaching us the practicals of the APN role, we were told that a pant or skirt suit was an absolute must for all interviews. So I looked online, and promptly shut the browser down because of insane sticker shock!

And then I do what I do best and trudged (very willingly!) to the thrift store. Call me lucky, or call me skilled (I'd give myself credit for both : )...but over the past few months I have managed to pick up a navy blue silk blouse for $1, black pumps for $4, and the express pencil skirt for FREE.

But I couldn't go without the suit jacket...so when there wasn't one to be found at the thrift store, I went to plan B. I took a $10 off any purchase JC Penny coupon and found a perfect fitting jacket on mega-clearance for only $20. Yup, that's right, I essentially got my entire suit for $10!!! Love that!!

And I loved it even more when my friend from school recently asked if I bought a suit, and for how much. She didn't believe me when I told her my entire interview outfit, including shoes cost $15. And I didn't believe her when she said she spent almost $200!!!

Do you KNOW how many things I could get at the thrift store with that kinda $$??

So double score for PICU nurse this week: I got a killer suit for super cheap, and killed the interview today! And since things tend to happen in 3's (3 times the charm, 3 strikes you're out) I'm thinking I'm on a good streak for where the suit and interview are headed.

This may be the beginning of a very different journey...perhaps, Adventures of a PICU Nurse Practitioner. We shall see!