Quick Update

Just a quick update on a few things...

My interview last Wednesday for the research & planning associate position with the nonprofit health system thankfully went really well. Before the interview, I made a list of questions I thought I might be asked, along with answers, and also a list of questions I wanted to ask. Being prepared beforehand made me a lot less nervous. The interview was a group one (I was interviewed by 3 women), but it was rather informal, which also helped. Interestingly, I wasn't even asked why I left my last job. I had an answer prepared, but didn't even need to use it. The supervisor said that a number of questions I asked were "excellent", so that's a good sign.

Overall, I'm very excited about the position. It's one in which I could really put my education to use, and one in which I will have lots of opportunity to write, which unfortunately I didn't get to do enough at previous jobs. I had to submit a PowerPoint presentation I've done (luckily I still had one that I did for an undergraduate college class), and I have to complete a writing exercise.

Apparently I already made a good impression with my writing skills however (through my cover letter, thank you letter and Power Point presentation), because on Friday I received a phone call from a lady who is the head of the department, saying that the supervisor told her I have strong writing skills, and asking if I have any grants writing experience. It just so happens that I took a grants writing class in college, and I have experience reviewing grants proposals from my volunteer position with the United Way. I was offered a chance to help put together a major grants proposal for the organization.

I'll be working mostly from home, about 60-80 hours over the course of the next two weeks, and it pays $25.00 an hour. For 80 hours of work, that's $2,000 - what great timing with me being out of work! Of course I said yes, I would love to help, and I got started on the project today. The project seems a bit overwhelming right now, but I have technical assistance from a contract grants writer who has helped with many proposals for the organization, and I think he's going to be very helpful.

I have been working on a few crochet projects, but they're going to have to take a backseat to this grants project, and my summer grad school class which began last week (I'm taking an urban politics class). So, if I'm AWOL for a while. you'll know where I am!

Thank you to everyone for your kind words and encouragement about the interview and my job situation. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I get the position.