So a couple of months ago, I had an interview for my first job. The director told me that it doesn’t require a lot of experience, just that I needed to be comfortable. I applied for an assistant teacher position at a daycare, and the director placed me in the four-year-old, two year-old, and one year-old classrooms.
I did really well with the one and two year-old classrooms, but really struggled in the four year old classroom. Unfortunately, that was the class the director was looking in first, and she immediately noticed my discomfort. I feel so stupid for not just sticking to the other two classrooms, as I know that’s the age group I work the best with.
I desperately want this job, and have written an email to the director stating where I went wrong and why, and asking for a second chance. The main reason I did poorly was because my mom had discouraged me prior, as she stated that with me being autistic, I might not have what it takes to do this job, despite always telling me that I work well with kids. This led to me freezing up around kids I normally work well with.
Anyway, my goal is to hopefully get a second chance, this time I’m not going to tell my mom as I don’t want to get discouraged again. The picture above is the email I sent to the director, I’ve never had to write one of these, so I hope it’s good enough.
I can see you are sure about the job, and you feel passionate towards working in this avenue, I’m sure you’ll do great, and I’m sure you’ll end up somewhere you appreciate, because you have the ability to keep trying new avenues, when one avenue closes, keep doing that. If this doesn’t work, keep building new ways, you got this!
I’m sorry your mum rocked your confidence. It’s one possibility that she was trying to save you from a larger and unexpected disappointment, but she inadvertently caused you to lose confidence entirely, would she be receptive to hearing the consequences of that, for you? That wasn’t a great pep talk, whatsoever, if that’s what she was aiming for. I wonder if she would change tactics if she knew consequences for you?
All I can say is that your email is professional and well written. Sadly it is a 100% about how the other end perceives it, they can see it is motivated and professional (how I see it) but they can also see it as too long (rambling) too apologetic (low confidence) too bold (not humble) or anything else.
In your place, I would accept that you did your best, sent a professional and honest request for a second chance, and that from here it is out of your hands.
Best way to do this sort of thing is to be short and sweet.
“I’m really interested in this work and felt my first interview didn’t hit the mark. Would you be willing to give me another chance to show my capabilities?”
I think it says everything you need to without seeming over-eager or desperate.
Followed up by a short paragraph, something like, “I would be most comfortable working in the one- and two- year old classrooms, if that is a possibility” if that is true for you.
Just letting you know, much of the blacked out/whited out text can still be read fairly easily. You should increase the opacity on the pen tool when attempting to redact text. Or even better, do so on a desktop where you can more easily edit photos.
Sorry your mom discouraged you on the first go around. That seems like a fairly well written second attempt. You don’t want to give off an air of desperation, but being straightforward is pretty important too and I think you did a pretty good job with that. If they aren’t willing to give you another chance, then it sounds like it’s their loss honestly; don’t feel bad if you end up having to seek another avenue. Good luck
Thank you! And honestly, I’m just looking for a job and desperation is typical of me lol.
