Moving On - Interviewing for a new job after serious illness

[NorthLight36]

I haven't stuck my head in here for a long time. Sorry to have missed you guys, but it's been an... interesting month.

Long backstory short, the area I live in is practically next door to a coal mine and entirely heated by wood fires. As you can imagine, that sort of pollution doesn't play nicely with chronic asthma and I found myself hospitalised for almost a week, then bed-ridden for another two weeks recovering from asthma and a serious chest infection. During my recovery time, my doctor made it very clear to me that my life is at risk if I stay here and that the increasing levels of medication I'm taking are nearing a point where side effects such as heart damage and eyesight damage are a possiblity.

At the moment, my ability to work isn't effected and won't be, provided I move to a better, less polluted area. So, I've been quietly looking to move down to the coast where I've holidayed since I was a child and where experience shows I need nearly no medication and nothing as powerful as I'm taking now. This morning, one of the jobs I've applied for called me back to arrange a telephone interview next week and I was hoping to ask you all for some advice, and perhaps a little reassurance.

I have been working casually at a collection of ELC and preschools in my area (15 different ones) and haven't wanted, yet, to let on that I'm looking elsewhere for work as a couple of my fellow casuals have warned that work dries up fast if HQ hears that. So, no reference. Plus, as I'm rarely at the same centre twice in a week, it's hard to find anyone who'd be willing to give a reference. I do have references from families I baby-sit for, which seems to have been enough to get me an interview, but I'm not sure how to answer if I'm asked why I don't have a reference from the group that currently employs me. Any advice?

Secondly, while I'm delighted to be facing the possibility of almost full-time work (four days a week) at a single centre, there's a part of me that will be painfully sorry to leave the ELCs and Pre-schools where I've been working, as I love the centres and the kids. I know I need the change in environment, and frankly I need the more reliable work hours and consistent routine, but I get very down when I think of the friends I've made in places where I work and the kids there. Anyone else get the moving blues and have advice for dealing with them?

Finally, anyone willing to keep their fingers crossed? Regrets and worries aside, I really do want this job.

[law92]

Hi

Sorry to hear about your health problems but it sounds like a change for you will be great. The coast would be a great area to live in such a great lifestyle there!
Yes, it is hard moving to a new area and having to make new friends and starting a new job. When I was a child, we moved around a lot due to dad's work and I ended up going to about 8 different primary schools! So I know moving is hard but you will be so much healthier for it. There is an adjustment period, but when you get past that and settle into your new job you'll be glad you made the move.
As for references, it's hard to get references from just doing casual work. I would just explain in your interview if they ask that you were doing casual work at different centres and that they won't give out references to casual staff. They should be fine with that. I know asking for a reference can be a bit if a tricky situation but if they're keen then they won't care so much, as long as you do have other references to give like you said from your babysitting jobs.

Good luck with the interview and the move I hope you get the job! Let us know how you get on with everything

[NorthLight36]

Thanks Law92.

I figured it was pretty normal to have difficulty getting references from casual work, but it's good to have someone else confirm that.

I'll let you know how things go.

[Lorina]

Welcome back! 

I'm sorry to hear that you haven't been well. Moving to the coast seems like a healthy option for you.  If you have enjoyed holidaying there in the past now you get to live there! Kinda like a permanent holiday. Everything is so laid back on the coast so I'm sure you will enjoy it. I would love to move to the Blue Mountains ... It's my favorite place in Sydney! A little house or even a shack as long as I can get Internet... Hahahahaha

Like, Law mentioned when working casually you will rarely be given a reference however you can ask for an employment certificate. This is just to certify that you have worked at that centre. So, it basically shows your position, the date you started working and the details of the centre. If a centre doesn't want to give a reference then they should give this instead. This confirms that you have been working in Childcare. Also instead of getting a reference, with the employment certificate your future employer can ring the centre and just confirm the details if they need to. Don't worry too much about it! 

I don't believe references is a fair way to justify how well someone works. It could really screw you up in the end. If you're gong for an interview you should be made to spend a few hours at the centre to interact and engage with the staff and children. I think you could tell a lot from a person during this time to make a decision whether or not they are suitable for the job. 

I understand how you feel about leaving the families and children whom you've built relationships with. It's completely heart breaking and it feels as if you're losing a piece of your heart! The last centre I left I was there for a year and a half and I become very close to each family and built very close relationships with my group. I treated them as my own. The last week was tough for me, saying goodbye to families and my beautiful children. I had children crying and parents! I'm getting a little teary eyed ATM just thinking about it! Anyways, it's sad at the time when you're going through it but in the end the families and children will adjust and cope with the situation. We all move on in the end...  It's like this for any centre... That's one of the hardest parts of working in this job getting attached to the children then having to say goodbye. Though you will always have the memories!!

Everything will be alright and once you begin at a new centre you develop new relationships and friendships...

It's nice to see you around the forum again and I hope all will be well for you!

,
L.A

[NorthLight36]

Thanks for the welcome back, LA.

And thanks for the information about employment certificates. I hadn't heard of those before so it's good to know!

Yeah, moving on is tough. It was hard enough moving on from the centre where I did my three months of placement while I did my Cert III (though I got a really good laugh (in private) when a handful of the children asked some of the regular staff to go to my new job so I could stay there instead. Thankfully so did the staff members in question!), and I was really hoping to stay where I am. But even if I could ignore the health issues, I can't survive on casual hours. Too unpredictable, particularly with better weather coming.

[NorthLight36]

Well, good news. I made the shortlist for the job, so I'll be going to the centre in person on Tuesday for a face to face interview.

I know my telephone interview went well, since, well, I'm on the shortlist. Now I just have to hope the in person interview goes well and keep my fingers crossed. It's a great area and I've got my eye on a nice house to rent that's only two blocks from the centre and is pet friendly (hard to find somewhere nice AND pet friendly, but I can't leave my little feline monster behind).

Keep your fingers crossed for me, everyone.

[Lorina]

That's fantastic news! seems like everything is moving in the right direction for you and is finally coming together! See, everything happens for a reason (that's what I believe anyways)! Good Luck, you'll be fine though!

,
L.A