I wouldn't normally post this here, but for some reason, I'm really nervous about this. I have a job interview Monday for Palliative Care (Home based) as a social worker. For the last 8 years, I've been working for, or associated with, a state governmental agency and held some fairly decent positions in that organization. It's a program that I know a lot about, have been proud to work with, helped to develop their training program (which I'm really proud of), but since it is a state organization the pay isn't that great, though the benefits are wonderful.

The Palliative Care position is with a LARGE hospital system and I know they treat their LMSWs really, REALLY good. But I haven't done hospice work since 2007 when I first received my grad degree. I worked for hospice for 2 years and really enjoyed it. My goal upon graduation was to work with kids, I'd always worked with kids and felt comfortable with that, but hospice wanted to hire me straight out of grad school and I fell in love working with the older population. I've continued to do that. I left my state position for a contract case management position (higher pay), but still work with providing case management to client's of that same state agency.

When I applied for the Palliative Care program, I asked for $10,000 more annually than what I am earning now, and they still emailed me immediately, requesting a phone interview. Doing this kind of work, you don't tend to make a lot, so any pay jump you can get is a bonus. Social workers are much like teachers in the pay department, but I think teachers pay level may even be slightly higher in some states.

So, I'm nervouse, as I said. I love the agency I work for now. It's a fantastic agency, and I have been told that I could be an "up and coming" in that agency. My goal was to apply for an Area Administrator position in May or June, when the position comes available. Area Adminstrators supervise local offices state wide. From there, the growth potential would be to hold a higher position in the agency working out of the state capitol. But due to my economic needs, I really need to be earning more money now. In an ideal world, I could do the Palliative Care prn and keep my day job, (as this hospital pays their social work prn just for being on call whether they go out or not). Up until January I was deliverying pizzas as a side job to complement my income, but left that when one of our driver's was robbed at gun point, and shot in the face. (The driver survived and they eventually caught the robber. But we've had several robberies of drivers at gun point and knife point since I had been driving, and I just didn't want to take the risk I could be next.)

I don't know what to do. I'm getting too old to be switching jobs and companies like this. (I'm 52, will be 53 this year.) But, at the same time, I'm too old and in too dire of a situation financially, to wait much longer before increasing my income somehow. I'm scared to leave a company I know so well, doing something I absolutely love, but I know I have to do something else to keep my home.

Any advice?

good for you. it's never too late to change career paths and/or employers and in this day and age more and more people are eschewing that one-track-forever approach to working.

i think it's healthy to be nervous, and i think you will do really well when you get to the interview. if you get the job maybe your current employe rwould raise your pay level to keep you with them? good luck!

Good Luck Benni!

I'm 54 and the Dr that I work for is retiring this December, I've worked there for 31 years. So I'll be job searching myself. I haven't been on an interview for 31 years. YIKES.

First of all, you are NOT too old! You possess valuable skills, one of them being your experience. That cannot be taught! You will be dealing with an area of life that the greater population shuns because of the ultimate conclusion. Death is a part of life whether it is sudden or prolonged. I'm thrilled for you and am sure you will knock em dead (no pun intended) in the interview.

Now get out there and show them what YOU have to bring to the table!

Good Luck!

Something on your resume made them contact you.

Wishing you the best in your interview and job search!

XxAxX said:

good for you. it's never too late to change career paths and/or employers and in this day and age more and more people are eschewing that one-track-forever approach to working.

i think it's healthy to be nervous, and i think you will do really well when you get to the interview. if you get the job maybe your current employe rwould raise your pay level to keep you with them? good luck!

Thank you, XxaxX! I know I can do well with the interview. I've always interviewed well. I think my fear/nervousness stems from the whole idea of starting over at my age. I'm pretty well established with the current agency, everyone knows my abilities and respects those abilities. And I've developed a very strong work reputation within this agency.

My current employer can't provide a raise in my pay. If she could, I would definitely stay. It's a small company, that she thought would grow much more quickly than it has. She didn't take into consideration that the state is constantly adding new provider agencies, and as such, there is greater competition. Most companies pay their case managers by the case load, but since she knew my reputation with the state agency, she offered me a salary to get me to come to work for her. She knew I wouldn't take the position otherwise. She is just now starting to earn some money money off me, where up until a couple of months ago, she was losing money to pay my salary.

RJP1205 said:

52 is not old unless you choose it to be! Confidence is key on your interview and remember, an interview goes both ways. It's a chance for you to see if you would like working there. Have some questions ready for them as well. Home & family come first and much of that is financial so nothing wrong with checking out your options. Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

Thanks, RJP. It's just the whole idea of starting over with a new company. I know I'll do well with the interview process. I've always done very well with interviews, and get the positions I interview for more often than I don't. On the few occassions I haven't, it's been with the state and they posted the positions for someone they already had in mind for that position.

PennyPurple said:

Good Luck Benni!

I'm 54 and the Dr that I work for is retiring this December, I've worked there for 31 years. So I'll be job searching myself. I haven't been on an interview for 31 years. YIKES.

Yikes, Penny! So you understand how nerve wracking the whole idea of starting over with a new company is, when you're established in your current company. Not sure what state you live in, but make sure to check out the state agencies there.

benni said:

RJP1205 said:

52 is not old unless you choose it to be! Confidence is key on your interview and remember, an interview goes both ways. It's a chance for you to see if you would like working there. Have some questions ready for them as well. Home & family come first and much of that is financial so nothing wrong with checking out your options. Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

Thanks, RJP. It's just the whole idea of starting over with a new company. I know I'll do well with the interview process. I've always done very well with interviews, and get the positions I interview for more often than I don't. On the few occassions I haven't, it's been with the state and they posted the positions for someone they already had in mind for that position.

Let us know how it goes!

Good Luck today Benni!

Good Luck Benni! Takes a special person to deal with palliative care patients that will pass.

Benni, they need nurses. How about that.

I hope you get this in time!

Before you walk in, remind yourself of this: "I am not a good social worker. I am the BEST social worker that ever lived! This company will be lucky to get me because they will be getting the BEST. If they are as good at what they do as I am at what I do, this is a no-brainer. I'm going to this interview to show them what the best social worker on the planet looks like, and I hope they show me what the best agency looks like. Because together, we CANNOT BE STOPPED!"

Good luck!

2freaky4church1 said:

Benni, they need nurses. How about that.

But I'm not a nurse 2freaky. They also need social workers.

Thanks everyone! The interview is in an hour. I'm not so nervous about not getting the job, as I am at the idea of changing from a company in which my work ethics and standards are well-known and which I have a great reputation. I guess it's just a little scary about starting all over again. The worst they can do is tell me, "no", and it won't hurt me if they do, since I do have an established job. But it's been a long time since I considered changing companies.

I spoke with one of my friends earlier, she is a hospice social worker that I once worked with, and she said, "Just keep in mind, they'd be crazy to not hire because you are one of the best social workers I know. And changing jobs at this time of life is scary, but it's not unheard of, and you know you'll give them 110% wherever you decide to go to work. The worst they say is "no" and you don't have to worry about changing positions. The best thing they can say is "yes" and at the salary you requested, and you get to decide if you want the job. Your reputation will grow with a new company, just as it did with your current one." That last comment helped me tremendously. She's right. If I go with a new company, I'll grow my reputation with the same work ethics that I have always shown.

Just finished the phone interview. Normally, I'm really good at getting a "read" of the interview and what they are thinking, but that is usually when it is in person. Almost every question I asked, they would say, "Good question!" before answering it. They are doing strictly phone interviews right now, but if they decide they are interested in a follow up "in person" interview, I'll hear from them within the next 10 days. This will be more of a therapeutic position, than a social work (looking for community resources and providing some therapy). They have case managers already taking care of any economic concerns and needs. The LMSW will be providing strictly grief counseling or therapy related to having chronic health conditions. I guess I'll know more if they call me in for a further interview.

benni said:

Just finished the phone interview. Normally, I'm really good at getting a "read" of the interview and what they are thinking, but that is usually when it is in person. Almost every question I asked, they would say, "Good question!" before answering it. They are doing strictly phone interviews right now, but if they decide they are interested in a follow up "in person" interview, I'll hear from them within the next 10 days. This will be more of a therapeutic position, than a social work (looking for community resources and providing some therapy). They have case managers already taking care of any economic concerns and needs. The LMSW will be providing strictly grief counseling or therapy related to having chronic health conditions. I guess I'll know more if they call me in for a further interview.

I would hire you in a hot minute ba-by. Luck & ! And methinks someone's in your corner too, whatever happens.

benni said:

Just finished the phone interview. Normally, I'm really good at getting a "read" of the interview and what they are thinking, but that is usually when it is in person. Almost every question I asked, they would say, "Good question!" before answering it. They are doing strictly phone interviews right now, but if they decide they are interested in a follow up "in person" interview, I'll hear from them within the next 10 days. This will be more of a therapeutic position, than a social work (looking for community resources and providing some therapy). They have case managers already taking care of any economic concerns and needs. The LMSW will be providing strictly grief counseling or therapy related to having chronic health conditions. I guess I'll know more if they call me in for a further interview.

Wishing you good luck!

Poplife88 said:

Good luck! Im in somewhat in a similar situation. I'm 48 and just started looking for a new job as the company I work for is moving my dept out of state and my husband is not in a position to relocate. I went on one interview so far and was so nervous and didn't practice enough. I knew during the interview that I wasn't connecting with the three person panel and also realized the position wasn't right for me. When they finally told me they offered the position a couple weeks later to someone else I was relieved and chalked it up as good interview experience and moved on. But I'm constantly worried I'm being passed up in even getting interviews because I'm either too expensive or overqualified. I keep telling myself to be patient and the right role will come along but have to admit it's been stressful.

It'll all work out. Unfortunately, it's human nature to worry. But the Dalai Lama had it right:

"If you have fear of some pain or suffering, you should examine whether there is anything you can do about it. If you can, there is no need to worry about it; if you cannot do anything, then there is also no need to worry."

Or:

Ace said:

Poplife88 said:

Good luck! Im in somewhat in a similar situation. I'm 48 and just started looking for a new job as the company I work for is moving my dept out of state and my husband is not in a position to relocate. I went on one interview so far and was so nervous and didn't practice enough. I knew during the interview that I wasn't connecting with the three person panel and also realized the position wasn't right for me. When they finally told me they offered the position a couple weeks later to someone else I was relieved and chalked it up as good interview experience and moved on. But I'm constantly worried I'm being passed up in even getting interviews because I'm either too expensive or overqualified. I keep telling myself to be patient and the right role will come along but have to admit it's been stressful.

It'll all work out. Unfortunately, it's human nature to worry. But the Dalai Lama had it right:

"If you have fear of some pain or suffering, you should examine whether there is anything you can do about it. If you can, there is no need to worry about it; if you cannot do anything, then there is also no need to worry."

Or:

RodeoSchro said:

Ace said:

It'll all work out. Unfortunately, it's human nature to worry. But the Dalai Lama had it right:

"If you have fear of some pain or suffering, you should examine whether there is anything you can do about it. If you can, there is no need to worry about it; if you cannot do anything, then there is also no need to worry."

Or:

Yay! I finally heard back from them and have my second interview (in person) on Friday. They told me to expect to be there for about 2 hours. I've never had an interview run 2 hours.