I went to my interview this morning. It had to be the world’s shortest interview at 20 minutes. This cannot be a good thing.

Well, not a good thing for my chances with the job, but it was good for my survival. My day started off on the right foot with couple’s counselling. Tom and I talked about money - how we deal with it, and how we plan to deal with it in the future. I have to say, it was neither a fun, nor a short conversation. For two people with similar outlooks on life, we’re totally opposite when it comes to money. He says I have ‘champagne tastes’, I say people who work in Corporate America need clothes without holes. Fortunately our therapist doesn’t let our arguments degenerate into name-calling.

So my interview was right after therapy. I took the Muni into town, and arrived a few minutes early - even though I forgot to ask the cross-street and didn’t bring the phone number. Heh. That’s me, prepared every step of the way. I buzzed and they let me in. The woman currently in the admin position greeted me and led me through the office to an open table by the coffeepot. She had to clear away old papers so we could sit. It was odd, we weren’t in a conference room or anything, instead we were just in the back of the office, which was one large open room. Like a warehouse. So people walked by, got coffee, got stuff from the fridge, got water as we talked. And several times she interrupted what I was saying to listen to people’s conversations in the front of the office. Not that she gave me much of a chance to talk, she was too busy telling me about how I should Take Care of Her Boss, if I were hired. Because in her time there, she said, she pampered him. She brought him his morning coffee and his breakfast, if he wanted it and later his lunch. She ran his errands, kept track of various birthdays and such, and she let me know I shouldn’t expect anything for *my* birthday. ( a lowly secretary with expectations? No!) She organized his time, because he never did. Not that I have anything against women who want to be their boss’ wifeypoo, I just don’t think I could stomach it. Not to mention, how could she ever get anything else done?

Once it was clear that I understood my duties, that was the end of things. Except for the famous interview question of doom - What was your biggest achievement, and your biggest mistake. Bleah. I think I pulled it off, talking about doing well in my Master’s program and my biggest mistake was not planning my career before I graduated from undergrad. What else can you say? My biggest achievement was actually going on a date with a woman, and my biggest mistake was drinking 6 martinis, then having a huge fight with my boyfriend while blacked out? Somehow I didn’t think that would get me a job. Wonder why not? That’s one thing I hate about interviews, the mask you have to wear. Be yourself, but not really.

She said she’d call me by Friday for a second interview, if the other interviewer agreed. I’m not sure how I feel about it. On one hand, it would be a job, on the other hand, I think I might kill myself if I had to bring someone their meals. I mean, unless they couldn’t do it themselves for some reason. Like their legs were both broken. Or their hands disappeared, or their thumbs were eaten by goats. You know, like that. I suppose I should wait to make any sort of decision until after a second interview, if I even get one.

Day 7 of sobriety; a whole week! I missed a meeting tonight. I was too lazy to go out. And last night’s meeting wasn’t really all that. For some reason no one wanted to talk. There were a lot of long silences and I just felt more uncomfortable than usual. Of course, the meeting was in the Marina. I don’t usually fit into the preppie side of town too well. The good thing about being in San Francisco is how many meetings there are to choose from. Next week, I’ll try another one.

all writing � Kat 2002

Posted on October 30th, 2002 by Kat
Filed under: AA, General