Post holiday blues and interview questions

I have returned from my wintery holiday in the Lake District and back to my normal lifestyle; in some respects I find this unfortunate as the fresh air, fell climbs and freedom I felt this week was unbelievable. A thoroughly enjoyable experience. Standing at the summit of Helm Crag in the ice and slush while feeling the light fluttering of a snow fall begin was a breathtaking experience for a newbie to the hiking scene. I held my Patagonia fleece close and absorbed the amazing views from all directions sensing that light would be fading soon, and being totally aware that myself and my partner were the only ones upon the summit. It was just the two of us. Until my mobile vibrated from my waterproof jacket alerting me to voicemail, I hadn't realised it had been ringing. As the wind was picking up I left the voicemail, I didn't recognise the mobile numbers that had registered so assumed they were wrong numbers. We hitched our rucksacks and headed across the ridge to Gibson's Knott before heading back to the car, this bit was a pleasant stroll in comparison to the hellish steps at the start of Helm Crag, if you're 5'2" or shorter there are parts where your knees are as high as your chest. After a while, this is incredibly painful!







The wander back down resulted in many a slip, jelly legs and much giggling. It was worth it, even if the reward was a handful of beautiful photographs, aching almost cramping legs and freezing fingertips. Getting back to the car I tentatively removed my Asolo boots and replaced them with my old faithful DC shoes and checked my voicemail. To find a HR message with regards to the support worker role I was interviewed for requesting details for the CRB and health check; and congratulating me on getting the mental health support worker role! That's right readers, I got the job I was interviewed for mid-holiday, surprisingly.



The interview was on the wednesday, I left the Lakes and drove the hour and a bit journey to the medium security rehab unit with anxiety butterflies eating away at my stomach. The unit is set back from the road, surrounded by beautiful greenery with a small tarmac road winding it's way to the visitors car park. I found the perfect parking space and made my way to the security booth to be greeted by a young security guard. He smiled while signing me in and explained the route I needed to take before passing through a visitors pass which I attached to my suit jacket pocket before setting off through the booth to the secure side of the fence. The unit appeared quite welcoming as I followed the directions to the department I was to be interviewed at. The building looked pristine from the outside, and extremely clinical on the inside. I booked into reception and sat next to a suited young man, we got talking about the role and what we expected the role to be like. He was the interviewee before me, and the person to replace him in the chair next to me was incredibly sour faced; she didn't even acknowledge that anyone was in the same room as her.



The interviewer called me through and requested I hand over the alcohol gel I carry and mobile phone, these were subsequently locked away. Considering I was allowed to keep my keys on me this raised an eyebrow from me. I then followed the interviewer (who turned out to be the manager of the unit) to the interview room, plenty of light was coming through the windows in the corridor which reflected off the white clinical walls in a blinding glare. The room was half way down this corridor just before the main wing of the unit; the door clicked open to reveal my second interviewer (who was the head nurse), she gave a welcoming smile and then apologised for not appearing bubblier but their coffee break had been ditched in favour of a very talkative interviewee earlier on in the day. I smiled back, shook hands with her and placed myself in the interview chair (was a little bit gutted it wasn't like the Mastermind chair). I'm not going to reveal my answers but to aid those going for support worker interviews here are some of the questions I was asked;



- What have you been doing with your life for the past two years (work based and socially)?

- What traits and attributes would you bring to this job should you gain it?

- What hobbies do you have that are interchangable?

- Based on your personality, what could you use as a role model?

- How would you diffuse an aggressive situation?

- Do you believe in rehabilitation?

- In the past two years, explain a time you changed work protocol for the better?



The only question I asked my interviewers was why I was considered for the role when I didn't meet the essential criteria? (As this surprised me). The interviewers explained that my varied life was intriguing to them, this wasn't just in my work life, but also my social life. As my lack of life experience was the main reason I was rejected from a doctoral programme interview a few years back this answer was amazing! It did make me think about how much I have changed since leaving university, and made me seriously think about where all this will progress to. I headed back to the rest of my holiday with many a career thought rushing through my mind.