Need to get this off my chest

Need to get this off my chest

by: Happy1 - 11-03-08 23:29

Hi all,

I had an interview a few weeks ago for a nursery nurse position and it went really well. The manager called me back the next day and asked me to come in for the second part of the interview.

I was less nervous about the second stage as I knew that they wanted to see how I interacted with/ engaged the children, interacted with other members of staff and how I fitted into the nursery etc

So next day there I am in the 3-5 room with two members of staff  who after saying hi turn their back to me and sit there saying they can’t be bothered with it all today cause they have had no sleep.  

I moved between the groups of children making sure that I am not spending too much time with one group in particular. I had already asked if there was anything that they particular needed me to do to let me know they just looked through me and carried on their conversation.

I guess that was the wrong thing to say

I tried to start a conversation many times with the staff but just got a yes or a no and neither bothered to ask me anything about myself.

As the day went on they just started sl***ing off the manager, deputy and just about every other member of staff.

The manager then came in and said she was moving me to the baby room for the rest of the afternoon so I could get an idea of how the rooms operate. The babies were all asleep and a member of staff said there is nothing for you to do.  Boy did I feel like a lemon just sitting there so I cleaned lol.

At the end of the day the manager told me unfortunately they would not be offering me the job as she felt i did not engage myself practically with other members of staff. I was so glad to get out of there that i didn’t bother to ask

WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN!!!???

Was i meant to participate in their s*ag off sessions about staff i don’t know or hadn’t even met.

I am sorry for the long post but this is really bothering me.  I am now worried about the other interviews i have lined up because of the second stage. I am obviously doing something wrong.

Could anyone tell me what do you look for / expect in the second stage of interviews?

I would be grateful for any advice

Thanks

x

by: newsetting

oh good lord would you have wanted to work there anyway?!?!? I would just put this down to experience - you did everything really well it seems and I would have employed you, especially if you used your initiative and started cleaning!!! Keep looking

by: Sugar & Spice

Don't worry you did everything correctly and i would have done the same.

The staff at the nursery obviously didn't want you to work there as you are a "worker"and they are not and you highlighted their inadequacies.

by: Happy1

Thank you for the repliesThe nursery had literally changed overnight.Day one I went to the walk round and then the first interview and i was really impressed with the nursery. Day two i could not wait to get out of there. I guess i was blinded by the fake smiles and the performance normally saved for parents.It was not that i wanted to work there after the reality check of what working there would be like. It was the fact that they did not want me.  Bruised ego i guess. Then you start to wonder why and what you should have done.

by: Tink84

I think you did a great job from your review of the day

You asked what needed to be done, you asked questions etc

It is the nursery's loss not yours

by: Annie

 Unfortunately in places like that the Manager often 'sucks up' to the staff in the mistaken belief that by doing so she is demonstrating being part of a 'team'. I am sure she asked  the staff their opinion and because you actually appeared to want to work and not gossip they said they didn't think you would fit in. Don't worry, in my nursery my staff would have been impressed and you wold have enjoyed working with them. sadly, that nursery is crying out for someone like you to get in and bring about a change in attitude. The real losers are the children!

by: Chris Roblett

Completely agree with Annie, it is always the children that are the losers when it comes to bringing in positive, wanting staff. Recently I have been looking to recruit for my setting and it never surprises me the amount of people when asked - 'why have you chosen a career in childcare' - the candidtes looks at you as if you have fallen from the nearest tree and then say - I like kids! - Great! I can't tarnish everyone with that brush but I have seen over 15 people with 12 answering that question - Is it that we need some re evaluating of the careers service at schools - explaining that childcare is a rewarding yet at times challenging career and not a toss up between hair and beauty and working with children? I don't know, but I can see a definite negative 'lost' generation out there.

by: jade

i had a experince very similar to your, the manager did not even ask to see my crb check, i was left in a room for 3 hours, tried to asked questions etc but staff did'nt want to know. i left after two and a half hours and also informed ofsted cause i saw a lot of bad practice and this was in a children's centre.