I had a job interview today for a legal assistant position. In many ways it was a spur of the moment application, looking through jobs and finding one that seemed interesting. I have always wanted to be a legal assistant, and this looked like a great fit for me: close by, few areas, and my areas of interest and strengths. I really enjoyed meeting the attorney and other legal assistant – wow, great people.
When I came home, I wanted the job more. I love the idea of a new challenge and being able to make some extra money. Did I mention the people were great? Very kind and easy to be with. The job sounds challenging and stimulating. The interview went well – it lasted a few hours. I really believe I can do the job (well most of the time).
Then the fear creeps in – should I have disclosed about my chronic pain? Last time disclosure was a disaster, and ended up being more problematic. I think it is something better to manage on my own. Lots of coffee in the early days to help with the fatigue, and move around as needed. I may have to limit my evening activities. I felt confident in my decision not to share.
As the evening approaches, I decide to see if they looked me up on Facebook or LinkedIn. Not sure about facebook, but linkedin shows that someone from a law firm looked at my profile today – oh no, what is on there? Overall professional, with lots of connection to disability groups and pain groups. Then I saw the part about fibromyalgia – did they read this? Oh shit, not what I wanted. I didn’t want the interview process to be mixed up with the fibromyalgia. Looks like they may have known before they interviewed me. The good part is, we still talked for hours. The challenge is whether they were hoping I would disclose or not. Since no-one read my chronicpain journals today, I am confident they didn’t read about my disclosure series :).
Well I should know in a few days whether I got the job. I am feeling sad and fearful. Sad that I have to worry about this thing called fibromyalgia and fearful that it will be a shadow that follows me every time I step into the light. I am one of 5 people who were interviewed, and clearly we connected. I pray that regardless of what they learned, they can be open to seeing my strengths and find who is the best one for the job, whether that is me, or another person they interviewed. I also pray that I can accept whatever comes my way. I don’t feel compelled to take the fibromyalgia off of my linked at this point, but might be something I do in the future if I continue to look for work.
Chronic Pain Journals 
Good luck and fingers crossed for you hun both that you get the job that you want and that you will have the strength to do it to the best of your ability, just because you have that horrible F word does not mean that you are incapable, in fact it probably gives you a better hand as I generally find that people ‘like us’ have a more understanding and compassionate nature and therefore others feel they can connect, dunno whether its just the way I find it or not but anyways, I pray that one day I will have the strength inside and out to fight this awful illness and manage to get back to work in the meantime i really do wish you well . Take care and gentle hugs xNx
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement. There are blessings that come in this F world, but at times it can be hard for me to see. I appreciate your gentle reminder. Still no word – but it shall be ok either way.