The unexpected twist of my first job interview

I was not feeling well. It is not easy to move on. Some years ago, I decided to move on with my life and leave my past behind. It required a lot of strength and the fear that my decision may cause me failure haunted me. I had to be strong and keep myself busy, so I decided in my last year of university to get a job in order to support myself since I couldn’t rely on anyone.

I decided to apply for jobs and got a call for an interview right after which gave me a panic attack. I was not sure if I was prepared as it would be my first job interview. The beat of my heart was so fast that I thought it would jump off my chest any minute.

After getting ready and dressing smartly, in a white suit and a light pink blouse and accessorizing myself with the little jewelry I had, I ran through the door in the blazing heat in order to catch the bus. I touched my tiny Cleopatra pendant and some memories started running through my head. I quickly wiped my tears off and left my seat for an old lady. I redirected my mind to the interview and the new journey I had embarked to find myself.

The bus stopped and I stood in front of the office breathless. I felt like running back to blame him for my misfortune, but my legs wouldn’t stop walking towards my first job interview and soon I stood in front of the reception desk.

“Please have a seat. I will inform Mr. X that you have arrived,” said the receptionist.

I needed time to calm myself down. A tall and elegant man stood in front of me. He approached me and politely introduced himself with a handshake and told me he was waiting for me to do the same. It took me a few seconds until I came back to my senses. I finally stood up and introduced myself with a weak handshake, and I almost felt that I would faint in the waiting area.

“Let’s go into my office,” he said.

I followed him quietly and entered a big, well adorned office.

“Please have a seat. Can I offer you some coffee? Or perhaps a glass of water?”

“Water please,” I replied breathless.

He asked me to sit in front of his desk on a leather armchair and started talking. I had difficulties in following him, not because I didn’t understand what he was saying but because I had to focus a lot to understand the meaning behind his words. His talks had double meaning, and I was too naïve to understand what he wanted.

“Okay,” he said, “Why do you think I called you for an interview? It is not for your experience; in fact you have zero experience. I want you to think why you are here.”

At that moment, I didn’t know what he was referring to.

“Look I can see you will finish your school in two months. Once you finish, you will give me a call and you will have a job in the capital as my personal assistant. An apartment will be provided to you, and you don’t have to worry about experience. I will teach you all you need to know.”

I didn’t know what to say. Innocently, I finally blurted, “If I have a job, I won’t need to stay in your apartment, I will pay rent for my own place.”

A smile crossed his face as he stood up from his chair and started walking towards me. I was so intimidated and nervous that I froze on my seat. In a second, he was leaning towards me and gently grabbed my pendant with his finger. His look ran through me like an arrow. In a fraction of a second, his finger dropped my pendant and ran through the skin around my neck. “Are you having allergies? Why have you become so red?” I was dumbfounded.

“Let me tell you something sweetheart. In order to achieve your goals you need to step on dead bodies. I give you two months to think if you want to come to the capital with me.”

It has been thirteen years since the job interview and his words are still engraved in my head. I never liked the easy way and I fought hard for everything I have in life, but I learned to do this the day of the interview. You have to work very hard to get what you want in life, or like he said: “step on dead bodies.” His words somehow became my motto and he didn’t even realize what an impact he had on my future that day. His intention might be evil but the lesson he taught me made me the person I am today.

I never met him again and I do believe what is meant to happen in your life will happen regardless, but one thing is for sure that no matter what the obstacle you are in, you are strong enough to pass it, as long as you want to. Don’t get into shortcuts because there is no respect in that even if you think you are sailing the clouds.