Receptionist Job at Private Clinic - Risky?

[Moonpixie]

Hi all 😊 Newbie here. I've worked P/T in further education for donkey's years and recently got taken on by the NHS to do a weekend shift on reception at the local hospital.

I've been desperate to leave FE for ages and due to the reception job, I'm now managing to get NHS interviews for admin. However, had four do far this year, but been unsucessful for all of them.

I've got an interview for a receotionist at a chiropractor clinic and have spoken to the chiro twice as she seems very keen to eliminate any possible time wasters, e. g. ensuring its definitely p/t hours candidates want and not using it as a stepping stone until a f/t jobs comes up.

I also have another two NHS interviews coming up later in the month.

I really fancy the chiro clinic, but was chatting with my mum today today and she thinks the interview is a bad idea due to it bring a private clinic. If I got it it, I would have to give up my FE hours, but what if down the line the clinic goes bust.

This does concern me. But there's nothing saying I would get either of the NHS jobs if I cancel the chiro one and I'll still be stuck in a job I hate at FE.

Does anyone else think it's a bit risky going for this job? Especially in light of Covid and not knowing what may occur again in the near future.

Thanks.

[Smidge001]

How big is the clinic? Is there only 1 chiropractor or more? In my experience good chiropractors stay in work for ever, as they have repeat customers who rely on them, and lots of referrals.
Can't you have the interview and still interview for the NHS roles? Often the process takes some time. There's no reason why you can't apply for several roles at the same time. The best result would be you get offered multiple jobs and you can then take your pick!

[Moonpixie]

Hi Smidge, thanks for your reply.

It's a very small clinic, just one chiropractor, which seemed a bit riskier.

Yes, I have been applying for numerous jobs at the same time. Had three interviews within two weeks last month. But this interview is on Thursday and the other two not until the last week of August, so would assume a decision would get made before then.

I know everything is a risk, but really wished the interviews had been the other way around.

[Greek2me]

No its too small and risky. I wouldnt work for such a small employer. Better the devil yoy know.

[Moonpixie]

Thanks for your opinion, Greek2me.

I really would rather have an NHS job as I would feel far more secure. I really do need to get out of my current job, though, as I've been trying for the past 5yrs and it's seriously getting me down.

I think I will actually voice these concerns at the interview. This chiro might be better employing someone with nothing to lose and if she deems me unsuitable for asking, then so be it.

[molifly14]

Don't do it, very risky

[AriettyHomily]

No I wouldn't do it.

[SandysMam]

I think more people are going to want public sectors job after this, craving the security. My NHS job pays less than DH, but kept us going (and feeling secure) during lockdown when his work was up in the air.

[Moonpixie]

Thank you all for the responses.

Well, I went for the interview and I'm actually pretty glad I did.

First of all, the job, as stated in the ad, is for three days. However, the ad stated Mon-Fri, which suggested a rota basis, but it is actually set days, Mon-Wed, which is far better as if I got it, I could still work FE hours, at least initially.

I did actually ask about the lock down situation and if she (the chiro) felt secure going forward given the current climate. She said with absolute confidence that the business is well established and secure and she has no worries about its future. That the practice has very loyal, returning patients and she's currently having to book in patients outside office hours. She did actually look run off her feet when I went.

She does seem a very no-nonsense type and knows exactly what she wants in an employee. She mentioned a second round of interviews, which given the job seems excessive, but it's a tiny practice and she wants the right fit.

I'm in two minds about it because I really would have liked to have the NHS interview first as that would have been my first choice with this one second. If I'm offered this job, I really can't leave her hanging on an answer. Sod's law 🙄

[Smidge001]

Congratulations (so far!). At least it sounds encouraging. It might take a week before she's ready for 2nd rounds, so hang in there. Maybe by then you'll know more about the NHS role.

[Moonpixie]

Thanks, Smidge.

A fuss over nothing really as I didnt get offered it. Just got an email this morning 🤷‍♀️

[Smidge001]

Oh, sorry to hear that. But at least it takes the decision making responsibility away from you!

[Moonpixie]

Interesting turn of events.

So, considering I didn't get this job, the positive thing was that I could attend the NHS interviews this week. One on Monday and one yesterday. It was the second one I was really keen on and part of the reason I was a bit unsure about accepting the chiro job if I was offered it, was that I really wanted to interview for this one as it would be my first choice.

Anyway, I didn't get the first job that interviewed on Monday. Not too despondent, though, as it was last on my list of preferences. But, to my surprise, I got brilliant feedback. It was between me and one other candidate and she beat me by ONE point! The interviewer was so positive, though, and said to please apply if something else comes up.

This really boosted my confidence as I was starting to feel like I was just making the numbers up at these interviews.

So, I went really prepared for the second one. They were filling two roles, which gave me a better chance, and seen as though I came second in the last one, then it could happen again.

Interview went great. Best one yet. Really conversational. They seemed to really like me. At one point when they asked what personal qualities I could bring to the workplace. The main interviewer made it obvious she scored me highly and exclaimed, "That will do for me!"

I left feeling quite excited and my gut feeling was that I be would be offered it. The vibe was exactly the same as when I got employed in my other role. I was relieved I hadn't got the chiro job as I would have missed out.

Literally 1.5hrs after the interview. She rings me. Very upbeat and excited... to tell me I'd been unsuccessful!!!

I was do deflated and long story short, putting two and two together, I wouldn't be shocked if these positions were already earnarked and they were just going through the motions of interviewing other people. I've heard about it happening so often, and it happened for a job I interviewed for in Feb where I ended up being the reserve.

Plus the feedback was ridiculously vague. She was making it sound like NASA scientists had applied for a band 2 admin role and I just missed out due to how highly skilled they were.

So, feeling like I might as well just knock these applications on the head because I'm clearly not cut out for the roles, I check my emails and I had one from the chiropractor telling me the receptionist position had become available again and would I like to be considered again!

How funny, that by not getting it the first time, allowed me to attend the interview I really wanted to go for, and then after not getting, this one is back in the table.

I'm going to see her again tomorrow for a "chat". I have no idea if I was her reserve or she's also going to chat with others she interviewed, surely if that was the case she could just do it on the phone?

But we will see...

[FawnDrench]

Well! Curiouser and curiouser.
What a "strange" yet hopefully fortuitous turn of events for you @Moonpixie

My feeling is that you are meant to get the receptionist post and who knows - this could lead to further things...

Hope the chat goes well for you tomorrow -please do update as I'm already over-invested in your career development...

[Moonpixie]

Haha, thank you FawnDrench.

Imagine what a plot twist it would be if it turned out that the person who originally got the chiro job, pulled out because she interviewed for the same job I was after in the NHS yesterday and got that one 😂

I've racked up six nterview fails since the end of July, five of them NHS and I'm meant to be going for another NHS one next week.

Around the time the chiro job was advertised, lots of part and full time NHS admin jobs were being advertised. I wouldn't be surprised if quite a few of the same people were applying and maybe even being shortlisted.

Let's see what she says. She comes across as quite intense and wonder if she'll say why the position is available again?