Waiting for the Interview

I am sitting in the lobby and waiting for the horns that will call my name out in this huge corridor which has big plants and very comfortable sofas. Why are these sofas so comfortable? Are they trying to see what happens to us when we feel relaxed and bored? Why did I not bring one of my books to read? I knew that they will keep us waiting that long. Two candidates are sitting next to me. Their faces tell me so much. They really want this job. Do I see them as a competition? Not really? Do I wish them to get the job? I guess, I do.
30 minutes later I hear my name. They escort me to the room full of eyes and suits. 8 pairs of eyes will evaluate everything I say and do. They will look for the flaws. They will make us go through the team assignment. Countless tasks and questions later we will be escorted back with questions in our eyes. “What is next?” Well, two candidates will ask about next meeting. I will not. I know that they will call me. They will. I do not want this job. I just want my mother to be happy. She wants to see her son do a normal 9–6 and have salary just like anyone else. She wants me to be a member of a pack. Do I want it? No. Does she matter to me? Yes. I will work until the moment when it becomes not bearable at all or I will find a new place. They have a training department they say. This sounds very tempting. May be I should consider it. I must. I remember the eyes that were monitoring our actions. I remember lips that moved and gave the verdict. I remember how relieved one feels when leaving the interview room.
I talk with one of the candidates on the way home. Somehow I feel that this guy will not get that call. He will be sad but life will go on for him. It will. It does. Some time later, he will sit in the lobby of another company waiting for 30–40 minutes and will be escorted to go through the same procedures. He will find a job. Not necessarily a perfect one but the one that will jump-start his career.