Interview 1

Went business casual with a printed
blouse, khakis, and a little Tory Burch

I came into my first interview nervous but excited.  I was more interested in this job because it seemed like they had openings and they didn't care if I left in a year to start a DI.  However, I wasn't sure what time I was meeting the recruiter, what position I was interviewing for, and where to meet. The recruiter said she was free from 9-10:30 or 2-4.  I emailed saying I could meet at her convenience but she didn't reply with an exact time.  Hm. I guess I just show up.  On the phone, the recruiter said they had openings for catering associates (huh?) and maybe diet clerks (aka diet aide).  I didn't know what a catering associate did and how they differed from a diet clerk.

Anyways, I got to the hospital and parked with no problem.  I went through the automatic sliding doors and met some greeters.  I told them I was meeting my recruiter, the Patient Services Manager of Food & Nutrition Services (let's call her Deb the Dietitian) at 9:00 but wasn't sure where, did they know?  Nope.  I called Deb and she didn't answer.  It took about 5 minutes to figure out I should head to the cafeteria but it felt like 50.  When I got to the cafeteria, I expected to see Deb but she wasn't there.  I asked a cashier where I could find Deb.  The cashier called her and then gave me an application.  I filled out the application, thankful I had my resume and iPhone to find phone numbers and addresses of previous jobs and references.  When you work for a hospital, be prepared for a large amount of paperwork.  You have to pass background checks on many different levels (county, state, national). 

After I finished my paperwork I finally met Deb.  She was friendly and warm and I was immediately put at ease.  Our interview was pretty ordinary with questions such as "Tell me about a time you were unable to finish a task,  Tell me about a time you didn't get along with someone, Tell me about a time you worked with a team,  Tell me about a time you made a mistake at work."  Thankfully I was able to provide stories about working in food service at the Children's Center and at a frozen yogurt shop.  I also told her about the Children's Center and what a unique and wonderful place it is (she was very impressed). 

She told me catering associates take menu orders off of "tickets" from patients (one person is usually responsible for about 30 per day), assist with tray line production, and keep kitchen stations stocked with plates and utensils.  She could also train me as a diet clerk to fill in when needed.  She liked that I had 24/7 availability (hello post grad problems) as most of her staff were college students that had just started school.

She didn't officially tell me I was hired, but did say she would start the process.  My previous employers and references would be called and I would need to complete a physical.  I asked her where she was in the recruitment process and she said that she does ongoing interviews.  If she likes someone she will hire them.  I went through my list of questions and asked her about herself, their system's team organization, the relationship between Morrison and the hospital, and if she utilized diet techs (they didn't).

I left the interview feeling great!  Deb was impressed with my attitude and work experience.  (This is where I get lost finding the exit of the hospital and wondered around the pregnancy/maternity ward for a quarter mile)  It was about 10:15 and I had time to kill before my next interview so I went to Coffe Bean.  I definitely felt relaxed going into the next interview since it seemed like the other job was basically a sure thing.

Please remember this: Hospitals are LARGE.  Ask your interviewer ahead of time where to meet.  Most likely they will say the cafeteria.  Their offices are usually close to the cafeteria.  If you don't know where you're going, don't freak out!  Hospitals are full of helpful individuals.  In fact this one had college volunteers that would greet and escort you to where you needed to go.