Oh boy,
You guys, I had my interview
today, instead of in two months from now. Change of schedule, I accomodated.... Big wow. Initially, I
freaked... I was a bit "unprepared" for so soon, but it worked to my advantage, I hope.
Thursday late afternoon I got the call.
Friday morning I tried on my "interview" suit that i wanted to wear. It turns out I've lost about 15 pounds in the last few months, and the damn thing was 3 sizes too big. Quickly drove to Macy's and found a sufficient suit and shoes to go to the interview in... Ladies, I know you can sympathize with me on this one. Not an easy task, especially when it's last minute.
First headache past me...
Then, I realized it might to be to my advantage that I ampresenting an exhibit at the biggest radiological convention in the United States in a week from today... Had to get my "flyer" done... Got it done, printed it out.
My CV... Oh goodness, just in case they asked.... 4 copies printed out.
Had to go to the "resident evening"... . Oh boy, at 5 p.m., I had to make sure I was ready for the next day as well....
Resident evening: The residents ask their candidates for an informal meeting at a local bar... Got myself looking half-way decent (after the frustrating day of trying on suits), and went there. Hey, it was a wine-cellar in Coventry (for those who know Cleveland).... Fantastic wines, but I couldn't enjoy... Very nervous.
Got up at 6 a.m. today and I wanted to wear my hair up, but my hair did not cooperate. Not a good start to the day. I wore it down, looked so poofy, that the people probably thought I was stuck in the 80's.... :S
7:30 a.m. sharp, the day began at the clinic today.
I don't want to, and cannot tell you how it went...
What I will tell you, however......
I know my place is in Radiology.... The people were great, the interview gave me the absolute feeling that I am "at home" there. I love the program, and I love the people. I have been so lucky to have gotten that interview, and was able to tie in my convention success there. One interviewer actually asked me in detail about it, and I was able to tell him about my programming experience and success... The other talked about his field for a long time, and let me chime in, and I told him about my experience in Germany... The third and final interview was done by the chief resident at the program. I was a little more relaxed there, and I probably talked a mile a minute, because he didn't review my application beforehand. I hope it worked in my favor, becasue I told him how motivated I get through motivation, and what a great program it is, and how I was there (with my dad, long story) when they got their first MRI machine back in 1982... (And that's no lie - I was there... TOTALLY impressive. Most people have never seen one of those things installed).... I hope to see these people at the convention next week, and that I can knock their socks off there. If not, of course they got an "info-flyer" from me. (where I wink, winked... "I just happen to have a copy.... heheehhe) - Martina, the ever-charming.... well, let's hope at least......
The only bad thing that happened today was that I realized I was more experienced than the chief resident who interviewed me. A bit difficult situation, because he had never been outside of the US... When I talked about the benefits of foreign experience, he sort of looked at me like he was perplexed. So I changed the subject and talked about Cleveland, which he hates...
And I LOVE Cleveland... :S So, stupid me, I told him it must be like New Zealanders -- many go out to see the world, but most come back home... I said, "It must be similar for Clevelanders." He looked at me like I was high... But once I realized I was talking to someone without life-experience, I changed the subject to the hospital again.
Phew, I think it was a smooth transition.
He asked me about hobbies: I said, "Aside from programming, I love to dance: ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and flamenco" for 30 years. Oh and recently I have begun to get into home winemaking and beer-brewing." Well, halleluja -- the guy brewed his own beer in college... Go fiugre. We talked a bit about liver-damage, and I told him that i gave most of it away... (hahahaha, yeah right. Me? Give some good mum-wine away? In your dreams!!!" But it was such a positive and honest environment, that I just HOPE I did okay.... Freaked me totally out after I've been mulling over it for 8 hours, but I cannot do that...
I was up against some pretty steep competition, and I don't want to put my hopes up too high, (especially since they have WAY better credentials than me) but I had actually a GREAT time at an interview!!! I have to keep my feet on the ground and not get too excited, but I really hope that I did well.. The program is resident-driven, great benefits, and lots of hands-on learning...
But I thank you all from the bottom of my heart, and I appreciate all of your support.
I just wanted to share with you my experience, because I know some of you have been rooting for me along the way...
I love you guys!
(And no, I'm not drunk)...
Edited by: MedPretzel 
There really seems to be truth in wine.
