Rebuilding My Life - Need Advice for Job Shadow Tomorrow!!

[Js_Sol]

BACKGROUND: I am 33. I work in Human Resources but have been unemployed for the last 6 months. I have spent these six months (and the year before that) terribly depressed, fighting suicide, and really trying to rebuild my life. I am still here!

 

My line of work is HR and is what I feel I do well and what I want to keep doing. Problem is, from a hiring standpoint, I don’t look that great. I do not have the certification (working on it now) nor a degree in HR (I do have one though in IT). I have 2 years directly working in HR which is table scraps when it comes to getting hired for an HR position. I have spent the last 6 months applying for HR jobs, and getting rejection letters. I have gotten 2-3 interviews into some places, but not made the final cut.

 

About 3 weeks ago I had an interview at an amazing company that I know I would be phenomenal at. The location is great, and I believe the pay and job satisfaction would really be there for me. A week after that interview, I had an in-person interview. Now tomorrow, I have a job shadow where I’ll be working directly with the HR team to see how I fit in.

 

I know they have interviewed dozens of people as this has been going on for 3-4 weeks. I am honored to have made it this far, and I believe I have done so because I have interviewed well, shown that I match their culture, and have consistently checked in. I believe in myself, but I’m also an introvert and it usually takes a while to get to know me. I’m also not a quick learner; I usually do best by doing something over and over again, and developing my own processes.

 

 

 

TLDR; I will be doing a job shadow tomorrow from 1-5 with the HR team. How can I best demonstrate that I can do this job and that I am the best candidate?!

 

 

 

PS: I have 10+ in management and 2 years in HR so I know the basics; dress well, be thankful, be professional, ask questions, etc…. I’ve just never really performed in this capacity before!

 

THANKS – sorry for the length!! If you want to know more about the depression side, see my previous posts!!

[abitbroken]

Introverted is not the same as shy. I am introverted. I need recovery time after being around people. If you are introverted vs shy - make sure the day before is not heavy with visiting other people = you have time to decompress, etc, and you have time to decompress after. If you are not truly introverted and its code for shy or just being extra quiet, remember to make good eye contact, smile when appropriate or at least have a pleasant expression. Think of some questions you could ask when the time is right, when someone introduces you to someone, react.

 

They are trying to show you what the job is like so you don't come on board and leave because its not what you hoped it would be. They don't want to make the wrong investment in someone. They are looking for soft skills - are you on time, or a little early, ready to start, not ready to use the bathroom and get your coffee, when work starts? Do you have a professional appearance (shirt tucked in, clean hair), that you are not a serial killer, etc. Can people communicate easily with you?

[abitbroken]

THANKS – sorry for the length!! If you want to know more about the depression side, see my previous posts!!

 

Don't bring this up on the job shadow. And don't use self-defeating language..

[Wiseman2]

IT sounds like a much better fit for you.

a degree in HR (I do have one though in IT). I believe in myself, but I’m also an introvert

[Js_Sol]

THANKS – sorry for the length!! If you want to know more about the depression side, see my previous posts!!

 

Don't bring this up on the job shadow. And don't use self-defeating language..

 

Lol, I wouldn't... It's just for context here. Thanks for the reply.

[Js_Sol]

IT sounds like a much better fit for you.

 

It's not. I learned that while getting my degree. Life happens, interests change.

[Js_Sol]

Introverted is not the same as shy. I am introverted. I need recovery time after being around people. If you are introverted vs shy - make sure the day before is not heavy with visiting other people = you have time to decompress, etc, and you have time to decompress after. If you are not truly introverted and its code for shy or just being extra quiet, remember to make good eye contact, smile when appropriate or at least have a pleasant expression. Think of some questions you could ask when the time is right, when someone introduces you to someone, react.

 

They are trying to show you what the job is like so you don't come on board and leave because its not what you hoped it would be. They don't want to make the wrong investment in someone. They are looking for soft skills - are you on time, or a little early, ready to start, not ready to use the bathroom and get your coffee, when work starts? Do you have a professional appearance (shirt tucked in, clean hair), that you are not a serial killer, etc. Can people communicate easily with you?

 

Thanks for the long and thoughtful reply. I'm actually really surprised how much the introvert thing seemed to resonate with everyone on here. I rate 60% introvert, 40% extrovert - so it's not all that bad. I'm not particularly shy, and I have certainly used today to recharge. I'm actually very engaged 1 on 1, and then the life of the party when it's like 6-7+ people. It's the 3-4 people range that affect me. ANYWAY, I appreciate your feedback

[annie24]

Good luck tomorrow! I think just ask some thoughtful questions about situations that come up as you are doing the job shadow. I mean, don't ask so many questions that you are annoying them, but a few questions that you're thinking about what's going on. Make sure to bring a notebook and pen to take notes as you are shadowing them. I might ask the person you are shadowing what they like most about their job, and what are challenges they face.

[catfeeder]

Sorry I'm late to the thread. How did it go?