So, this company calls me in for an interview. With the president, no less. And while I knew I didn’t want to work full time (note: this company is notorious for not just full time work, but making sure they squeeze out the money they’re paying you), I wanted to meet the president.
When I received that call to come in and discuss possibilities, I didn’t even think twice. I said — YES. I figure, hey, how often does this opportunity come by? Besides, I thought it would be good to see if I were still — “marketable” (in the job sense).
The interview was set at 6:30pm (yes, normal ang overtime, besides the president is in meetings all day and handles several corporations, so what do you expect? The HR lady seemed really amazed — or was it relieved? — that the schedules worked out!).
But turns out, the president was extremely busy. I was called in nearly an hour later — I was hot (they turned off the aircon, perhaps in keeping with company policy), sleepy and tired (S arrived on the 4am CebPac flight, and I was at work since 8am), and disheveled (I shouldn’t have worn that nice white Banana Republic blouse that creases — those things don’t work if you’re out for more than 8 hours). And the first thing I am asked is, “What interests you?”
In my head, I’m thinking, “What kind of cryptic message is that???” So I answer — “Children”. “Children’s clothes?” I was asked. “Everything children,” I clarify, as cryptic as the question I was thrown.
Generally, it was a very pleasant discussion. I stuttered a bit, in awe of the presence of a VIP.
In the end, I said I really wasn’t ready for anything full time, as I believe that it is important for me to be with my children in the first 7-10 years of their lives. And I was told, that, in 2-3 years’ time, if I am interested in career advancement, some challenge (and I think, that is putting it lightly), and intellectual stimulation, I should give them a call.
I wonder if it’ll ever come to that.
