MY FIRST “POST RETIREMENT” JOB INTERVIEW

While I was working I contributed to my 401K, paid into a pension and then, closer to the date, I lined up a retirement job that would bring in extra money for vacations and other adventures. I was all set, right?

NO!

The job I had lined up was an adjunct professor position at a local university. I held the same position for 9 years at a junior college while I was a police officer. I took a leave from that job when I landed #1 on the sergeant’s list because, if I got the promotion, I would have been required to work rotating shifts. The promotion looked like a sure thing, and I didn’t want to let the school down by leaving mid semester. As life goes, I was not offered the promotion. Oh well, that’s a whole different story.

I taught at the university for a semester. I was given a glowing evaluation and asked to teach two more courses. During my first semester I worked unvaccinated and was required to wear a mask, as were all faculty members. That went off without a hitch. When I accepted the next two assignments, I asked my supervisor what I would be required to do since I chose not to be vaccinated and the forms they had given me requested vaccination information. She responded quickly (via email) that a procedure was in place for unvaccinated staff to test daily. As I was typing my response to her, I received another email advising that both positions had been filled, after I had accepted them, and I was no longer needed.

I believe there would have been a strong lawsuit there, but I chose not to go that route.

Then inflation hit and my comfortable retirement was in jeopardy.

Inflation gut punched me! I was slipping into credit card debt. I wasn’t in a freefall, but I was slowly building debt.

I can handle financial problems; my ex-wife and I raised 7 children on a policeman’s salary. 

I knew there was a possibility that I would have to hold some kind of a job in retirement. I am a little concerned that it became necessary so quickly.

I started a “friend search.” By this I mean I asked friends if they knew of any decent paying jobs that would save my financial future.

A guy I’ve known since grade school, Ben, came up with the perfect job on day one of my search, somebody up there must like me!

Ben told me about a high school that was looking for a security guard who could start as soon as possible. I called the contacts he gave me and had an interview scheduled in no time at all.

I’m not really bothered by working under people younger than me; at least I don’t think I am. But this interview was with two guys who were around my oldest daughter’s age. They were wearing khaki shorts and t-shirts; I had opted for a business suit.

The day of the interview arrived. I was about a half hour early. I rang the intercom bell for entry- and there was no answer. After ringing the bell several times, I called the contact phone number I had been given. My future boss answered and said, “Oh, there should be someone there. Just wait, I’ll work on it for you.”

I waited…

I was standing out in the hot sun, in a dark suit starting a “pre-interview” sweat. Oh Boy! This is great! I thought.

Finally a guy, I learned later was the veteran of the security team, opened the door for me. He was about 15 years younger than me. He looked irritated that he was pulled away from whatever he had been doing to open the door for some jerk in a suit. I put on a big smile and said, “Hi, I’m Phil!” He ignored my outstretched hand and motioned for me to sit in a dimly lit waiting room with nobody at either of the two reception desks.

I waited for a short while and was eventually greeted by interviewer #1, my future boss. He was about 5’10”, heavier, but not obese. A friendly man who offered his hand and immediately put me at ease. We walked a short distance and passed a large man who looked like he might have played defensive back or power forward at his college. He was solid, about 6’06” and carried himself like he was still in playing shape.

While I was still working in my career as a police officer I interviewed many times, for many positions. I viewed interviews as the door to new opportunities. I studied for each session as though it was a final exam. I read books on the subject of interviewing and was as familiar with the position I was seeking as possible.

I treated this interview the same way.

In answer to various questions, I was able to present my 35 years of experience in law enforcement, including 6 years as a corrections officer in addition to being a father, a trained juvenile officer, a former mechanic, small business owner, regional manager for a window washing concern and more.

I expressed how, in my opinion, working as a jailer is similar to working at a high school. The larger interviewer was taken aback, but managed to ask, “How do you figure?”

I told him that working in the jail I treated all of the inmates with respect because of my Christian upbringing and because, in a jail setting, I was likely to see them on a regular basis. They will, possibly, be in the jail until their innocence, or guilt, is determined. If convicted of a misdemeanor, they could be sentenced to the jail for up to one year. If they were convicted of a felony, they would come back from the penitentiary for any appeals or other court issues. I continued, in the high school setting I will see the same students for up to four years. I summed up my statement by saying that it is much more prudent to treat a person you will be dealing with for a long period of time well, rather than making an enemy out of them.

That lead to the only positive reaction I got from the larger interviewer.

Towards the end of the interview I surmised that I would likely be hired. My future boss asked if I had any questions.

My first was, “Is this an armed position?” Both interviewers lurched in their seats and replied in unison, “No!”

The first thought I had was that I might have just gotten “unhired.” My second thought was that I should adjust my jacket to hide the gun I had in a holster on my hip.

Despite the negative result of my first question, I dared to ask another.

I told them I was very interested in the opportunity. Then I added, I have a longstanding commitment on Wednesday nights at 7:30- the time I was scheduled to end my shift. I asked if there was any way I could get off at 7. NOTE: I have never done this in an interview. My reasoning was- I have always dedicated myself entirely to the job. I think this has hurt my family, my health and my ability to decompress during my police career. I did not want to make the same mistake in retirement.

I admitted to them that the commitment was a bowling league.

This may sound trivial, but, in my adult life I have slowly eliminated all of the diversions that allowed me to free my mind of work, marriage and family trials. In the interest of family peace I quit the softball, flag football and bowling leagues I was on. My life became work, family, church. These are all good things but, I believe, people need to unwind. We need a way to decompress!

Much to my surprise they said, “That doesn’t sound like a problem. Will you take the job?”

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