Mayhill

I stared at my reflection in the mirror as I made a pouty face and blotted my lipstick. I checked myself one last time before I decided I looked as good as I was going to and that no amount of powder was going to hide my nervousness about this job interview. It was almost laughable the level anxiety I had about this interview. Preparing for this interview was proving to be more anxiety-provoking than preparing for my bar examination, more anxiety-provoking than the day I was sworn in by the State Bar Association as a lawyer, more anxiety-provoking than all of interviews for law firm internships first and later on attorney jobs. More nervous than my first case that went to trial and honestly even broaching levels higher than the day I argued my first and only case in front of the supreme court. I did not want to screw this up.

I listened to some relaxing music as I drove over hills and past farm fields. I traced the ridges of the steering wheel with my fingers, breathing in as I counted four bumps and breathing out as I counted four more. Finally, I got to the end of the long highway and turned down a narrow windy road which I followed for several miles until a tiny sign directed me to my destination: Mayhill Mental Health Complex - 1 mile East. As I pulled into the parking lot I took inventory of the grounds. They were well-kept. Flowers bloomed. On the far side of the complex there was a fenced in area with a playground. I remembered shuddering the first time I had seen the swing set and slide, asking the nurse doing my intake if kids really lived here. She had rolled her eyes and nodded her head. Now looking back it seemed like a silly question. But at the time, I was shocked. I walked past Venture Hall the pre-release unit, past the green house where patient workers grew and sold flowers, past McCormick Hall, which was an intake unit, past Madison Hall which was a long-term unit, and finally got to the building I needed: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES had been painted in big blue letters on the glass door. It was a tall, whitewashed building with big pillars and it looked decidedly out of place.

I pushed my shoulders back and tried to stand tall as I walked in the door and followed the arrows down the hall to the Human Resources Department.

"May I help you?"

"Yes, I'm here for an interview. I have a 10:00 appointment."

The woman looked up at me over her bright pink glasses. "Name?"

"Wanda Wellington."

She looked down her list and then back up at me and handed me a clipboard. "Here is some additional paperwork to fill out. Please have a seat out in the hallway. Someone will be with you shortly."

I went out and had a seat. I filled out the paperwork. As promised, I was greeted several minutes later by a woman in her 40s in a polo and khakis, her hair pulled back tightly.

"Wanda?" she asked. "Follow me."

She led me into a room where she sat with three other people. A panel interview? For a housekeeping position?

Indeed it was.

"I'm Sallie Jo and this is Greg, Amelia, and Bonnie," she said referencing her three counterparts. Greg was a stocky man who looked like he was trying to stay awake. Amelia was a blonde, teacher's pet type. She looked genuinely excited to have been included on the panel. Bonnie was well-dressed and quite irritated. "We will be asking you a series of questions. Please answer to the best of your ability."

Tell about a time you didn't see eye-to-eye with a supervisor and how you handled it.

I talked about the time one of the partners at the law firm and I had butted heads on a case but I was able to work with him to form a compromise and we won the case for our client.

Tell about a time you worked with a team with unique personalities and how you were able to function cohesively.

I talked about how diverse our team at the law firm had been but how we all figured out each other's strengths and were voted the #1 Law Firm in the county three years in a row.

Tell about your experience with housekeeping tasks.

I talked about my summer position in college where I cleaned the dorms in exchange for free housing (and a valid reason to stay 500 miles away from home when school wasn't in session). I explained how we swept, mopped, scrubbed, shined, vacuumed, and disinfected. The first two summers I was a worker, the third summer I was team leader, and the fourth summer I managed the program.

Tell about a time you overcame a challenge.

I thought for half-a-second before deciding I was going to be honest.

"My biggest challenge was losing my beloved law career after spending nearly a decade here at Mayhill."

My interviewees had suddenly perked up. Greg was sitting up straight, Bonnie still looked irritated but now also intrigued, and Amelia, showing her amateur status had bulging eyes and an open mouth. Sallie Jo remained professional, though the way she shifted in her seat made me think she was a little uncomfortable.

I continued, "While at Mayhem I had to give up everything, but especially my independence. Then when I got released six months ago, I had to start from scratch. I had to apply for jobs and hope people didn't recognize my name only to have them turn me down after checking my background if they even called me at all after they noted my ten year gap in employment. I had to drain my savings just to afford rent in my studio apartment. I had to meet with a case manager once a week like I was a young child. And now, here I am, sitting before you with a law degree I cannot use, asking you to take me on as a housekeeper. Hoping that you, being mental health professionals yourselves, will be willing to give me a chance to rebuild my work history and get some semblance of normalcy to life again. I'm a hard worker and a good person -- I just had a challenging situation which I have overcome. But if anything it shows my resilience. I will be the best housekeeper you've ever had if you only give me a chance."

If my answer to the question sounded more like a desperate plea it was because it was. I had been out of Mayhill for six months and applied for over a hundred jobs but had not had any bites. It had long been discussed you needed to be gone at least six months from Mayhill before you could apply for employment, though no one had ever heard of a former patient being hired. But I had to believe I would be the exception. I had a law degree for crying out loud!

The team was nodding along empathetically and writing down things furiously.

Sallie Jo looked up, "Thank you. Now do you have any questions for us?"

I nodded. I really didn't have any questions, but I knew you always needed to ask at least one to look interested.

"What are you looking for in your ideal employee?"

Sallie Jo talked to me about team work, good attendance, and a solid understanding of mental health since we would be working along side patients with various mental health issues.

I thanked them for their time and asked when they expected to make a decision. Sallie Jo shifted in her chair uncomfortably again.

"We hope to decide by the end of the week. We still have a few days of interviews left."

"I understand," I said, trying to sound sincere, "I'm sure there has been a lot of interest."

Sallie Jo gave me a look of relief and escorted me to the door.

"Good luck to you," she said as she shook my hand.

I walked the ten minutes back to my car, soaking in the scenery of the complex. It almost looked like a college campus if I let myself ignore the padlocks on the fences.

I slid into my car and checked my phone. One new email notification.

"Dear Ms. Wellington,

Thank you so much for your interest in our housekeeping position at Mayhill Mental Health Complex. We were fortunate to have many qualified applicants and while the team was very impressed with you, the position was offered to another candidate. We thank you for your interest.

Sincerely,

Sallie Jo Hammond

Human Resource Director"