Job seeker’s diary

The week started on a promising note. I had an interview mid week. Don’t ask how that happened; let’s just say someone was kind enough to give me a chance. I got down on my knees, something I hadn’t done in a while, asking the good Lord to make it happen for me. I was as excited about the possibility of getting a job as I was nervous. What would they ask me? Was I qualified enough for the post? Were there many people contesting the same... The questions were endless. The day before the interview, I checked my papers – CV, certificates etc to make sure I was absolutely ready. This could turn out to be the interview of a lifetime. Come D-day, I woke up quite early and had breakfast. I didn’t want to risk fainting in the middle of the interview due to hunger. Just when I was ready to hit the road, I noticed it was unusually dark outside. Looking up to the sky, my face was hit by a big rain drop and before I could wipe it away, more descended. Within minutes, it had started raining heavily. I felt so helpless. I’d done my calculations. If I left home an hour early, I would make it to the interview on time, even though I had to walk. But with the heavy downpour, I would never make it on time. I tried to wait for the rain to stop but when I realized it wasn’t about to, I had no choice but to walk. I was soaked in minutes since I didn’t have an umbrella but that didn’t stop me. I had to get to that interview. There was water everywhere and it seeped right through my flats. Twice, I slipped and almost fell. Before I reached the main road, one of my shoe straps came loose. That was the last straw. Given my financial status, I couldn’t afford to have it repaired and even If I could, there was no cobbler in sight because it was too early. At that point, I honestly didn’t know what to do. Taking shelter under a tree, I ransacked my bag for anything to help me fix my shoe. I did find some glue but making it stick was hard because of the water. It took me about three attempts to mend the shoe and eventually, I got back on the road. It was now drizzling and figuring I had nothing more to lose, walked right on. Getting to the venue of the interview, I learnt I was 45 minutes late! Steven who was supposed to conduct the interview wasn’t impressed and told me as much. I was tempted to ask if he couldn’t see that I had tried all in my power to make it on time. My hair and clothes were wet for God’s sake! But, I decided against defending myself. Muttering something about Africans being such poor time keepers, Steven ushered me into his office. Some people say a bad beginning makes a good ending but this didn’t apply to me. My day had been ruined the minute it started raining. Steven didn’t just give me an oral interview but a written one too. Some questions were quite tough, yet, I had little time to think clearly and respond to the best of my knowledge. Steven had clearly stated that he would conduct the interview only in the time he had scheduled, because he had other things to do. It occurred to me then that this would be one tough guy to work with in the event that I got the job. We’re often told to trust our gut and the feeling mine conveyed during the course of the interview, was that I was pulling at straw. It’s been a couple of days since I did that interview, and I haven’t heard from Steven. Maybe I’m just paranoid and the life-changing call to go and sign my contract will come through soon. But it could also be that my late appearance for a job interview, was interpreted by Steven as being unserious and therefore unworthy of a placement. I guess I’ll have to wait and pray… To be continued…