I didn't get the job

[Martin the baby]

I was so hopeful when I applied at a spa, but just got the call (actually she told me on my answering machine) that they chose someone else. I feel so disappointed! Under my heavy emotions i called her back and left her a voice message asking her to call me back because I wanted to know how i could have done better. My interview was for me to give her a 1hr massage. After it was over I joked at how great it must be to be interviewing so many people for the interview because she got so many free massages, and that she could always be just 'looking" to hire but really just needing some freebies. She thought it was kinda funny, but now I'm wondering if this could happen? Why not? The interviewies will never know. Anyway...sorry to rant i'm just pissed because it was so close and fit in with my busy family of 4. (plus it paid well) Also...I'm thinking I shouldn't have called back because now I look desparate! Do I?Sincerely, a good therapist that was passed up!

 

[cat lover]

Don't beat yourself up over this.  I agree with Talenyn about the phone call.  Don't worry.  If it was meant to be it would be.  I don't think it was the joke comment that did you in.  Your perfect job is out there.  hang in there.  

 

[killer peaches]

When I first started in the business I gave a free chair massage to the Chiro and his wife in the building next door to where I had a tiny bit of space in a nail salon to door chair massage. I wanted in with a chiropractor as I felt it was a better match for me personally. He said laughingly when it was over that he loved it "when new Massage Therapists come to town" because he got always got a "free massage." I was really put out.  Because I knew by that comment that he had no intention of referring any clients to me in the future.I think it's fine to ask what you could have done better. Nothing wrong with that... you are just wanting to make a good impression on the next person to interview you. It's a learning experience like any other...  right?Just take a couple deep breaths, and keep your eyes and your mind open.  

 

[Johnny Rico]

i interviewed once with a 'nicer' day spa who told me to expect to demo 15 minutes. when i got there, the owner's husband was to be the body, but it turned into an hour massage.  i didn't get the job. and i resented being taken advaneforum.xxxe of. another demo i did was completely 'directed' by the MT receiving the demo. she was trying to have me perform certain strokes instead of me just doing what i do. i didn't get that job either, but at that point i didn't want the job.it's all the way it's supposd to be...

 

[pohakumaikai]

I'm curious........did you hear back from the spa with an explanation of why you didn't get the job and what you could have done better?  I definitely don't think it's a bad idea.  You are looking to improve.  The spa manager may not feel comfortable enough to call you about it though.  She might be the one with a problem about being able to tell you about it.  I do think that the comments should have been kept to yourself.  In addition to feeling a little insulted by it, she may have felt that if you would make this kind of a comment during an interview, what might you say to a client who is on the table.  It could be that has nothing to do with the reason you didn't get the job.  It might not be that you're not a good therapist.  It could very well be that the therapist who got the job just had a better "fit" with the manager.  Not to say that this therapist is going to be the best for all the clients though.  Before I opened my own office and I was working for other establishments, I made it a policy not to do one hour demos.  I just don't feel it's necessary to do a full hour body massage for someone to get the feel for my techniques.  When I was in school I worked at a spa at the desk.  The manager there did have potential employees come in to give a full one hour demo just so she could get a massage, even if she had already filled the position.  In my opinion, the demo ought to be reserved only for the last 2 or possibly 3 candidates they are trying to decide between.  I have also had potential employers request the demo before the interview.  I turn this right around and say that I do think we should do the interview first and decide if they even want me or if I am interested in the position before we spend each other's valuable time on a demo.  At first I was afraid to be so bold and thought I'd look "difficult" or disagreeable if I didn't want to do it their way.  But, I really kept thinking of my old manager who really sometimes wanted a free massage.  One of my very first interviews out of school she wanted the demo first and then when we got to the interview, I really didn't like anything about working there, so I refused the job when they offered it to me.  If I had the interview first, I could have saved myself and the other person the time.  I was never asked after that to do a demo first.  When asked to do a demo, most of the people wouldn't say "an hour demo", they would just refer to it as a demo.  So that there were no surprises, I would say "Sure, I'd be happy to do a 15-20 minute demo.  You'll have a good assessment of my skills after that."Good luck!

 

[Is it summer yet??]

The spa never called me back! She is not the owner, but the one that hires all the mT's. Another thing that I might not have mentioned is that when I went in for the interview, she did not ask me anything about my training. She had a copy of my resume, and gave me a tour (the spa is 2 stories) and when we got to the treatment room she showed me how to work the electronic/heated bed then said let's get started with the massage. I stopped her and told her before i wasted her time I would like to ask her a few questiones about insurance, hrs pay etc.. to make sure it was a fit for ME. She says "oh yeah, sure" She pretty much just answered my questions and asked  me nothing. I know it is all about my touch, but I thought rather rushed. She was really nice and all, and the only thing she said was I'd be great at deep tissue. Then asked if i knew stone massage. I told her no, but could learn very quickly since it seems to be a way to heat the muscle and give a diffewrent sensation etc...She thanked me and we walked out. i thought I did a good job. I'm still bitter, but I will get over it.

 

[~Mia~]

polorolo, don't be bitter about this.  it's not worth the energy.obviously, on some level, you and the interviewer didn't connect, and there's nothing wrong with that.  we can't connect with everyone.  but, i have to say, even though we go to interviews so we can also interview the employer, you have to allow them to take the lead.  Also, it could be that they wanted to get the massage done first with potential employees to first evaluate skills, THEN bring people back for second interviews to evaluate personality, and answer questions.i've only had one massage interview, and it was a pathetic disaster...she was self-righteous and bossy, and didn't care what my style was.  when i was done working on her, she offered to work on me so i could see "how good she was"...what a joke!  she worked too deeply for too long, and i was in severe pain for over a week!  needless to say, i didn't care that she never called me back.  she's not someone i could work with and refer people to.

 

[Ben W]

hey polorolo, don't be bitter.  that will carry with you to the next massage interview you have.  like others say....let it go and move on.  it could have had nothing to do with what you could have done different.  i used to interview where i worked.  i received massages.  some of them sucked, some of them were great but it was the personality of the therapist that would get me (if their massage was really good).  it could have been joking about getting free massage.  to be the one doing all of the interviewing, it's a hassle giving up your time and energy receiving all of the massages especially if it was terrible.  it just wasn't meant to happen that's all.  you'll get hired at the right place for you!