Wonder Woman and Adventures in Interviewing: Part III

They say when it rains, it pours. And when it pours it hails, and when it hails...well you get the idea. And they, whoever they are, aren't lying. Interviewing, job hunting, it's a risky business. One day you're on top of the world, the next you're staring at your computer screen begging for it to offer you a job. But once you get one phone call...

Today was an interview with a certain non-profit marine based organization. Government operated and funded, it's a little satelite office by the harbor. I was going to interview as an intern. It wouldn't pay, it would be office/outreach work with kids, this wonder woman could handle it. On the way (I had left with plenty of time to spare, 10:30am interview means leaving 45 minutes early for a 30 minute drive) the unthinkable happens: I start to ponder.

My go-to, my interviewer, mentioned in email they had another site, and make sure to come to the satelite one. Did I get the direction to the right site? Had I gone too far? This was a really long drive. I'm so sweaty...did my hair dry? God it looks bad...do I smell? I only have ten minutes to get there! What the hell! Then, more disaster: a missed call and voicemail from my go-to: "Our meeting was at 10:00, it's now 10:15...I was wondering where you were."

Balls. Don't worry, this wonder woman did not panic. She went ballistic. Driving like a maniac the rest of the way, nearly killing a few fishermen on their way to the shore, I arrived frantically searching for the office. I find it at 10:35am, and a meeting is transpiring. Now I really would be pushing my luck. Late. Hot and stinky. Interrupting real productivity. Balls.

I sat outside the office observing the water and docked boats. I was trying to think of a few ways I could get out of this horrible situation without looking like a total idiot. That was when my go-to found me. "Are you here for the interview?"

I explained my tardiness: "I thought it was a 10:30 interview, I'm so sorry." She checks her email and realizes I was right. She apologizes. I breath a sigh of relief. I'm not an idiot. I'm still a wonder woman (I would have to find someone else to write the advice if I wasn't anymore). She gives me the scoop. Turns out my resume and interests in the program make me one of the big runners for the gig. Who knew office work would work for you? She gives me some pamphlets and tells me to keep in touch, and so will she.

As I head home I remember: I HAVE TO MAKE A PHONE CALL! Another wonder woman, friend to this one, pulled a few strings and got my application at the top of the pile at a certain bookseller across town. I get home, change out of my sweaty nice clothes and into weather appropriate ones, and grab the note with the name and number. Call after 4:00pm it says. I'm still good.

A few hours later, I give the book dealer a call. She too, is interested from my resume and talking to me. She asks for me to come in at 4:00 tomorrow. When it rains it pours, who knows what tomorrow will bring... a full time gig at the capital? Who knows.

Waiting with her umbrella, WW